A Teesside man has set up his own mental health charity to help people in his local area.
21-year-old Flynn Rowntree, from Redcar, has set up his own mental health charity Cont;nue.
Flynn said: “It all started for me when my Dad took his own life at 18, then a year later my Grandad died and then when I was vulnerable, I fell in love and got my heart broken.”
In a sensitive interview, Flynn tell’s us why he set the charity up, his personal story and his aims for the future.
Flynn is already a qualified Mental Health Support Worker and works in 4 Support Home’s across Redcar to help those who are struggling with their mental health and helps them to get back on their feet and back into society.
Cont;nue is a platform aimed for those who are struggling to reach out and talk about their mental health.
Flynn now has pages to promote the charity on Facebook and Instagram, to which he has over 300 likes.
Flynn also posts videos, which gain over 1000 views, offering advice and talking about his day on these platforms.
He knows that his supporters watch them, and they take inspiration and the advice from these videos away with them.
Podcasting was also another idea that Flynn had and is hoping that by 2021 he can get some guests to speak with him about their own experiences.
Flynn said: “The podcast is there to help people.”
“The amount of support that I had had when I first set it up was amazing.
“I am on a journey with my supporters and the only way is up.”
About Me:
Hi! My name is Hannah Conway and I am a Multimedia Journalist in the final year of my degree at Teesside University.
Course:
Journalism, BA (Hons)
Biography:
Since I was a child I’ve always loved the news and being informed. Like others, I would religiously sit down and watch any news, listen to any radio and read any paper I could from the age of about 12. It was a no brainer for me to come into this career and to do a job that I enjoy. I’m a proud Teessider, so being able to report on and work local issues and national issues is a big interest of mine. In my first year of my studies, I won the award for ‘Community Reporter of the Year’, which allowed my proud Teessider status to show. Every day that I get to work in this industry is a pleasure, and I’m excited for whatever the future holds following my graduation from University.
Software & Hardware Proficiencies:
I am skilled using Adobe software, Open Media, Scheduler, Dira applications and iMovie, which I have practised and learnt through my studies. I can also use professional cameras, as well as video cameras such as the AC-90.
Employment, Work Experience & Volunteering:
I currently work at the Stockton and Billingham Life Newspaper, where each week I write up a match report on Middlesbrough FC and this is published weekly on a Thursday in various locations around the Teesside Area.
I have also carried out work for The Sunderland Echo, and did a two week work placement at BBC Tees.
Interests:
Despite studying a Journalism course, I often delve into the wider social science world too. I have created pieces of work varying from politics to mental health. I have a keen eye for art, and also love music. Visiting different places in the world and photography are also huge passions of mine.
