Building confidence for success

475. Janice Hogg

Janice Hogg, 67, has devoted her life to working with adults who have mental health issues in Tameside and across Greater Manchester. The charity she founded in 2000, Making a Difference Tameside, supports their members to develop self-confidence and relationship skills through workshops and other activities.  

Making a Difference Tameside provides personalised quality care. Currently, it is supporting 23 members through a range of social and vocational activities including, computer skills, allotment work, creative writing and job hunting. Members spend a year with the charity, gaining the skills to move into volunteer work, full or part time paid employment. Using the skills she acquired working with Manchester Mental Health for 19 years, Janice assesses each member’s health quarterly, with the objective that by their last quarter they should use their skills to help new members. Janice’s satisfaction comes from seeing patients progress towards voluntary work or employment and grow in confidence.

Prime Minister David Cameron said:

“Making a Difference Tameside is a fantastic initiative to help people with mental health conditions to build confidence and gain life skills. The workshops and personalised support that Janice and her team of volunteers provide make a huge difference in the lives of those she works with. I am delighted to recognise Janice’s service by making her the UK’s 475th Point of Light.”

Janice said:

“After 19 years in mental health I believe that this is what works, for people to have more than just the medication and therapies but to have a place to develop life skills to be able to cope with life’s ups and down on their own. I am so thrilled to have received this award but know that without the hard work of the volunteers and relationships built with the members the skills and life changed would not have been possible.”