I’m hopeless at keeping secrets, particularly when I have good news to share. So it’s with great pleasure that I can finally announce an investment of £120,000 in Mindapples from Maudsley Charity.
Maudsley Charity’s funds are made up of donations that have been made to South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and its predecessor organisations, and is managed by the Trust’s Board members. The aim of the endowment is to be a key agent in enhancing mental health provision and changing how mental health is viewed – in the local community and on a wider scale.
The Maudsley Trustees have made this grant and loan investment in us in recognition of the effectiveness of our campaign in spreading positive messages about mental health, and also their belief that our services to workplaces and healthcare will generate strong commercial returns if we invest in their development now. This backing from the leading specialists in the field is a ringing endorsement for our positive, grassroots approach. The investment will enable us to develop even better services for employers and healthcare providers, and to raise awareness of this important issue all around the UK.
Kumar Jacob, Chair of Maudsley Charity, said of the investment:
“In these challenging times, it is more vital than ever that people take good care of their mental health. Mindapples’ creative and upbeat campaigning style and emphasis on simple, positive actions has proved very successful in engaging people in this important topic, and we’re delighted to be able to support this innovative campaign to develop and grow.”
Mindapples is the first major national campaign to focus on mental health, not illness, and this backing from the leading specialists in the field is a ringing endorsement for our positive, grassroots approach.
The investment will enable us to scale up our services for employers and healthcare providers, supporting employees and patients to take better care of their minds, and to fund our campaign to raise awareness of this important issue all around the UK. We will continue to work with large businesses to promote employee health and wellbeing, and with Kings Health Partners, NHS Lambeth and the Mental Health Promotion Team at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust to incorporate our “5-a-day for your mind” approach into public health and primary care services in London.
I’ve attached a full press release about this announcement. Please do forward it on to anyone you think might be interested in featuring us in their blogs, newsletters or print media.
We want to reach people who never normally think about the health of their minds – especially young people. Mental health is a serious issue, but our approach is fun and sociable, bringing people together to talk about what they love doing. We all have mental health, and we can all do simple things to look after ourselves. Keeping our minds healthy can be something we all enjoy.
I’m extremely proud that such a knowledgeable and forward-thinking Trust as Maudsley Charity has recognised the value of our unique approach. On behalf of everyone involved in Mindapples, thank you to the Maudsley and all our other supporters over the years, including you. We’re really looking forward to taking our campaign to the next level in 2012.