Interview with John Hewitt

The Mental Health Revolution Podcast

John Hewitt is the CEO and chairman of the Glazerite Group of window manufacturers. John tragically lost his daughter Kelly to suicide, when she was just 24 years old. He has since dedicated his time and passion to raising awareness of mental health issues and has created the charity We Mind and Kelly Matters, raising £125,000 to help fund mental health initiatives in schools.

In this update to his first podcast interview, John talks about the recent fundraising bike ride he organised from John O’Groats to Lands End, and how the experience of reaching out for help when struggling is a reflection of how we need to do the same when the going gets tough in life.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• John and his team were overwhelmed by the amount of support and encouragement from complete strangers during the course of the ride.
• Although physically prepared, John realised that the emotional support of his team for him to be able to cope emotionally.
• The ride itself was like a metaphor for life – team members who were struggling would cry out for help, and they would all come together to help and encourage them through the pain.
• No matter what pain they experienced at the moment, that pain would be forgotten at the end of the day.
• There is a real stigma for men like John not to show emotion – he is openly emotional, and wants others to know there is no shame in that.
• John is looking to educate children in schools and wants businesses to get involved, as the children are the employees of the future.

VALUABLE RESOURCES

You can find out more about John’s charity We Mind & Kelly Matters via the website:

https://www.wemindandkellymatters.co.uk/

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