Mental Health Wellness Movement

MAV UK ACCESS Project has now been funded by the National Lottery for 10 years. The funding has come through different funding projects. For the past years the STOP & REACH Knife Crime Prevention Project has funded all counselling and supervision of staff working on projects which help address issues related to knife crime. The need for movement to be part of your mental health development is vital. ACCESS therapeutic services has focused on including movement activities as part of its mission to improve mental health and wellbeing in our local community. ACCESS has increased one to one therapy sessions over the past year by 50%. It has also introduced regular movement sessions. This was firstly with a commitment to fund a weekly Basic Yoga session. This year we introduced movement and mindfulness sessions. These sessions support our continued efforts to improve the mental health of local people whatever age or ability.

Ian Swanston ACCESS Therapeutic Lead

Ian Swanston became the new Chairperson of Mothers Against Violence in April 2025.

Ian has a profession counselling degree and works for the NHS as well as MAV UK. Ian is keen on developing projects that address issues of mental health and wellbeing.

Ian has informed the management committee he plans to encourage movement in MAV UK's 25th Year. This will not only support the physically need to move for the benefit of our mental health and well-being but also as a charity mission. MAV UK must move into areas of continuous development. This will mean improving relationships with local schools and the police services. Improving our skills as a team with training, development and education. Ian is also committed to moving the Hulme Hall Centre into more of an environmentally friendly environment. Ensuring saving on water, heating and increasing space for activities using outside spaces around Hulme Hall Centre.

Ian Swanston - MAV UK Chairperson

Ian said; Since the COVID 19 pandemic we have lost many of our connections within schools and with Greater Manchester Police. As the new Chairperson of MAV UK, I will improve on our commitment to working with the police and with local schools. Schools and Police were key to the early years of Mothers Against Violence 25 years ago. I believe key to young people's experience of the world is how they see themselves and their environment. A key part of young people's experience is what is happening in school and how they experience law enforcement. I am committed to movement happening across our service mission. We now have a 25 year lease for Hulme Hall Centre. We will work with Manchester City Council Estate Team to ensure positive changes are made at Hulme Hall Centre, increase positive movement.

MAV UK are pleased to have been supported by the National Lottery for the past 10 years. We hope this support will continue in our 25th Year of working in the community.

Ian Swanston

MAV UK Chairperson