Guernsey MIND has received a substantial two-year grant thanks to the Lloyds Bank Foundation for the Channel Islands, the Social Investment Fund, and the Guernsey Community Foundation.
The mental health charity will receive a total of £350,000 over a two-year period to help it deliver core services.
Of this amount, the Social Investment Fund has contributed £200,000; the Lloyds Bank Foundation for the Channel Islands has awarded £50,000; and the Guernsey Community Foundation has arranged for a private charitable trust to provide a further £100,000.
The three donations provide approximately half of the overall funds needed by MIND to provide services over the next two years.
Guernsey MIND supports people from across the Bailiwick and encourages a positive attitude towards mental health. In 2022, over 400 men and women received one-to-one support; 1,200 people attended at least one of the charity’s training sessions; and over 150 received training to become Mental Health First Aiders.
Guernsey MIND’s Chief Executive Jo Cottell said: “We are thrilled to receive these extremely generous grants. This will help us to continue our work supporting the people of the Bailiwick through our one-to-one services, workplace training and support, and our work in the community. The commitment each of these funders have made to supporting us and our colleagues in the wider third sector is greatly appreciated.
“Our vision is of a society that has a positive attitude towards mental health and is supportive of mental wellbeing for all. In addition to helping people on an individual level, one of our aims is to promote positive mental health to raise awareness and enable access to a range of services for everyone who needs them.
“One of the biggest barriers for people seeking help for poor mental health is stigma. Through our awareness-raising campaigns and our training programmes, we seek to dispel stigma and educate the whole community about the importance of looking after our mental health. We believe that early, proactive help and support can lead to much more positive outcomes for us all.”
Sadie Siviter de Paucar, Lead Officer of the Social Investment Fund, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Lloyds Bank Foundation for the Channel Islands and Guernsey Community Foundation so that together we can provide increased funding for mental health services. Securing multi-year funding for key frontline charities such as Guernsey MIND is crucial and will allow their services to be strengthened in the knowledge that their main core costs are covered”.
Jo Le Poidevin, Executive Director for Lloyds Bank Foundation Channel Islands, said:
“Guernsey MIND is a crucial pillar in the Bailiwick’s communities. Its work plays a vital role in the wellbeing and safety of so many across Guernsey and Alderney. With more than 1,500 people supported by Guernsey MIND in 2022, it’s clear just how important the charity is for Islanders.
“From individuals to businesses, it equips everyone with the tools and skills they need to look after themselves and one another, while also working hard to break down the stigma that is still unfortunately linked with mental health. We are very proud to be supporting MIND for the next two years with this grant.”
Jim Roberts, Chief Executive of the Guernsey Community Foundation, said, “After carefully considering the funding application from Guernsey MIND, the Foundation was happy to approach a private charitable trust and recommend payment. We have given grants to MIND in the past and continue to be impressed by the way it helps so many people in Guernsey and Alderney in particular.”
