What we do....
What we have done in the past year
Our counselling service has provided a range of talking therapies to over 600 people, providing over 3000 sessions with 94% improving as a result of our support. We offered help to anyone who needed it, working with people with a wide range of needs.
Our social groups have supported over 100 individuals in over 1000 sessions, building confidence, self esteem and social inclusion. These sessions have enabled people to move forward towards their goals, helping them into work, college, volunteering or simply to feel better.
Our Community Garden has created an oasis of loveliness from a piece of wasteland in only 5 months. It has also supported over 20 people to spend time outdoors, develop horticulture skills and build confidence and self esteem. In addition, we have created a space for the whole community to enjoy, with over 200 visitors during our Open Garden event.
Our training has supported over 700 people to develop new knowledge and understanding about a whole range of mental health and wellbeing issues. Our ‘Changing Minds’ event, attended by over 150 local people and groups helped challenge stigma and discrimination and our schools support helped over 400 teenagers to gain understanding of how they can help maintain positive emotional health.
Our advice service has offered a listening ear, information and signposting to over 250 people, through phone and email, with over 50 face-to-face sessions. With our local knowledge and excellent links to other agencies, people have been able to get the knowledge they need, when they need it to make the most positive choices.
We have also supported a number of local organisations, including MK Council, MK Community Health and others to gain greater understanding of mental health and wellbeing issues through our involvement in local forums, partnership working, information and advice.
Milton Keynes Mind is your local mental health and wellbeing charity. Over the past year, we have worked directly with over 1650 people, many of whom will support others. Our services provide a wide range of options that not only help people who attend, but also their families, friends, colleagues and employers. We truly support our whole community.
What we want to do over the coming year...
We want to be able to continue EVERYTHING above, expanding the services where appropriate and continuing to develop new and innovative ways to support people with mental ill health, promote positive wellbeing across our city and challenge stigma and discrimination as widely as possible. Our specific aims are:
- To develop the Community Garden project, finding further piece of land and enabling more people to gain the benefits of being outdoors, growing their own produce, meeting new people and bringing unused land back to life.
- Linked to this, is a local food cooperative, where produce can be 'swapped', supporting improved nutrition and health.
- Increase support in local areas, especially on the eastern and western flanks of the city, as they develop and grow.
- Work with employers to improve wellbeing in the workplace - 1 in 6 employees is currently experiencing anxiety, stress or depression and this costs business £25 billion every year. We can help improve productivity and people's lives.
- To start a 1:1 support scheme to enable people who are isolated to access activities across the city. This will help ensure that people are not left on their own, but are supported to make real and lasting relationships in the community
- and lots more!
To enable us to continue our work, we need your support – positive mental health is an issue for EVERYONE, regardless of background or income and YOU can help us so that we are there for you.
Text MKMD01 £1 / £2 / £5 or £10 to 70070 (with the donation coming straight from your phone bill)
Visit www.localgiving.com/charity/mkmind and donate online
