Author: Paul Mills

“Music for the soul” was the title of the successful Warminster Philharmonic Orchestra’s summer concert last Saturday evening.

Torrential rain, grey skies and a strong breeze ushered the undeterred crowd into the Thomas Arnold hall. New and returning audience members were keen to enjoy the musicianship and beautiful sounds of some of the classical greats to lift their spirits whilst raising money and awareness for the Wiltshire Mind charity. 

Music is a universal language, understood by all cultures, ages and all types of people and there was definitely something in the evening’s programme for everyone. Opening with Serenade for Small Orchestra by local Welsh composer William Mathias to set the mood, the audience were then transported on a soundscape journey to Scotland for Hamish MacCunn’s, now popular, Land of the Mountain and the Flood. The first half concluded with a rousing waltz from Borodin’s famous opera Prince Igor leaving the audience satisfied with the famous ‘Stranger’s in Paradise’ theme tune singing pleasingly in their ears.

The second half opened with Beethoven’s Egmont Overture, a musical request from the brass section, providing ample opportunity to show off the tuba, trombones, trumpets and horns at their best. The evening concluded with Bizet’s L’Arlesienne Suite No. 2 celebrating with an encore of the Faradole often heard at the proms.  

During the first half, James Colquhoun, one of the trustees for Wiltshire Mind, introduced the work that Wiltshire Mind does. Talking about the way they support people who are experiencing mental health problems or emotional distress. This encouraged the audience to dig deep into their pockets and alongside the ticket sales and raffle monies, the Warminster Philharmonic Orchestra were delighted to donate £1025 to the charity at the end of the evening. 

Amanda Williams, founder and conductor of the orchestra comments “Music has the ability to put us all in the right frame of mind to achieve anything. Quite often our rehearsals fall on busy days but after a good play and a chocolate biscuit at break time, everyone feels buoyed, comforted and in good company.”

“We are now thinking ahead to our Christmas concert and commence rehearsals on Tuesday 5^th September at the Minster Church of St Denys. We are always delighted to welcome new musicians, without audition of approximately grade 5 and above standard and invite new players to join our warm and friendly group.”  

For more information about joining us go to www.warminsterorchestra.org.uk

calling 01985 216376 or emailing wiltshiremusicmaking@hotmail.com  or find us on facebook Warminster Philharmonic Orchestra.

Wiltshire Mind can be contacted by emailing: fundraising@wiltshiremind.co.uk

Malmesbury League of Friends (MLOF) has donated £5,000 to Wiltshire Mind, to support the mental health and wellbeing of residents in Malmesbury.

Wilshire Mind is a small independent charity, offering low-cost counselling and support groups across our county. The charity relies on the generosity of the community to help sustain and deliver their vital services.

On July 6^th  Wiltshire Mind launched the new Malmesbury ‘Connect’ Support Group, which will be held twice monthly. It is free to attend, with pre-registration required. The Support Group will provide a friendly space for anyone experiencing mental health problems to connect. Such groups bring together people with shared experiences to support each other, and provide a place where you can feel accepted and understood.

Facilitated by a trained Support Group Facilitator and a volunteer, everyone’s experiences are treated as equally important. The group will enable people to develop coping skills and feel accepted and understood, improving self-esteem. Supporting others can also improve self-confidence.

Paul Mills, Co-CEO of Wiltshire Mind comments “This donation by Malmesbury League of Friends makes a huge difference to our work in the town. After the Covid-19 Pandemic, we had to sadly close the previous Support Group in Malmesbury due to lack of funding. Now, we are re-opening the Group thanks to MLOF, and are welcoming Support Group Attendees”.

David Hide, Chair of the Malmesbury League of Friends adds “Mental, as opposed to physical health has been somewhat neglected in the past, but the impact of Covid-19 in particular has made support for charities such as Wiltshire Mind extremely important. We are delighted to support the work their work in the Malmesbury area”.

For more information about the Malmesbury Support Group, email Supportgroups@wiltshiremind.co.uk, or visit their website www.wiltshiremind.co.uk.

For more information about Malmesbury League of Friends, email davidhide@hotmail.co.uk.

“Music for the soul” is the title of the Warminster Philharmonic Orchestra’s forthcoming summer concert to be held on Saturday July 22^nd at 7.30pm at Warminster School, in the beautiful, purpose-built Thomas Arnold Hall, Church Street, Warminster. 

Music is a universal language. It is understood by all cultures, ages and types of people. It has nothing to do with the words but rather, the emotions it creates. Music communicates love, happiness, and even sadness – these are emotions experienced by all – making it the universal language. It’s quite wonderful to know that in a world full of such diversity, there is something that connects all human beings.  

The Warminster Philharmonic Orchestra’s forthcoming concert certainly has something in it for everyone from Borodin’s invigorating Polovetsian Dances, featuring Hamish MacCunn’s beautiful Scottish music-scape The Land of the Mountain and the Flood – now a popular favourite on Classic FM – through to everybody’s favourite Farandole by Bizet. From quiet and thoughtful to loud and immersive, the audience can feel connected through the energy created by our local community orchestra.  

The Warminster Philharmonic Orchestra always put on a popular, fun and relaxed concert; the sound and the atmosphere being complemented through the serving of summery punch, delicious shortbread and best of all every penny being donated to Wiltshire Mind. 

Amanda Williams, founder and conductor of the orchestra comments “Music has the ability to put us all in the right frame of mind to achieve anything. Quite often our rehearsals fall on busy days but after a good play and a chocolate biscuit at break time, everyone feels buoyed, comforted and in good company.”  

“Our concert this summer not only provides an opportunity to share the musician’s hard work but also raises awareness for Wiltshire Mind, an independent charity supporting people in Wiltshire who are experiencing mental health problems or emotional distress. The link between music and mental health fits perfectly. We shall be donating all of our ticket, raffle and refreshment monies to the team at Wiltshire Mind. So please do come along and support us!” 

Tickets can be purchased from our online shop www.warminsterorchestra.org.uk 

calling 01985 216376 or emailing wiltshiremusicmaking@hotmail.com  

£10 in advance, £12 on the door. 

Find us on facebook – Warminster Philharmonic Orchestra.  

Geoff Brown, an ambassador and fundraiser for Wiltshire Mind, also know as ‘The Hat Man of Calne’ made a very special ‘Hat fit for a King’ to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III. Geoff made the hat over a six-week period, and as the pictures show it really is a unique and extraordinary piece of commemorative art.

Over the years Geoff has made over 400 hats of many varied designs. Geoff has also made hats to commemorate the Queens visit to Calne in 2001, and the Golden Jubilee of the Queen in 2002.

Geoff has supported Wiltshire Mind since its formation and helped raise much needed funds to support our services.

2023 marks the 30th Anniversary of Wiltshire Mind. We are an independent Wiltshire Based charity, offering mental health and wellbeing support for our community. If you’d like to help us fundraise – email us at fundraising@wiltshiremind.co.uk

Any funds raised will go directly towards our services locally, supporting adults and young people in our county.

If you’d like to donate to Wiltshire Mind, visit our Just-Giving page.

Thank you!

Ashford Homes is delighted to announce its first official Charity of the Year partnership with Wiltshire Mind. We will be organising a range of fundraising events over the next 18 months to raise as much money as we can for this unfunded local charity.

Wiltshire Mind is an independent charity supporting people in Wiltshire who are experiencing mental health problems or emotional distress. The charity was founded in 1993 in Devizes, supporting those living in long-term care to live and work in the community – following the closure of many mental health residential units. At this time, the charity was fully funded by the governing local councils across Wiltshire.

Nearly 30 years on, Wiltshire Mind continues to support the community, however, the funding has completely changed. Now affiliated to National Mind, Wiltshire Mind remains an independent charity, but they must raise every penny through fundraising or voluntary donations. The charity does not receive any statutory or commissioned income, and they rely on the community to help raise much needed funds. To provide its counselling, support groups and training services Wiltshire Mind must raise £465 each day of the year.

Paul Mills, Joint CEO of Wiltshire Mind said, “We are thrilled to partner with Ashford Homes to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing in the construction industry. This year we celebrate our 30^th anniversary, and look forward to supporting Ashford Homes with their fundraising events”.

Mental health charities are needed now more than ever, and mental health is a particular issue that is dominant in the construction industry. According to a survey conducted by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), 26% of construction workers reported experiencing a mental health condition. Moreover, Mates in Mind (2022) found that men in the UK are three times more likely to die by suicide than women. However, in construction (a male dominated industry) men are three times more likely to die by suicide than the national average for men.

Stuart Morgan, Managing Director of Ashford Homes said, “We are delighted to announce Wiltshire Mind as Ashford Homes’ inaugural dedicated charity of the year. We have historically donated to Wiltshire Mind and seeing the funds go to such good use has been wonderful.

With the ongoing crisis of poor mental health in the construction industry, the company is taking steps to ensure that our team are well prepared in spotting signs and how to best support everyone we encounter. Wiltshire Mind recently visited our head office to provide training for the management team, providing an engaging, two-way discussion and highlighted particular areas in the business that we should pay attention to. Our team came out feeling much more confident in how to handle certain situations and to be comfortable with asking direct questions.

The construction industry is suffering from a serious mental health crisis, and it’s imperative that we take major steps to change things, we know the money raised will go to helping people across Wiltshire and look forward to working with Wiltshire Mind over the next 18 months.”

Please keep an eye on our website for our upcoming fundraising, and visit our JustGiving page if you’d like to support the charity.

Do you have an interest in supporting the emotional wellbeing of others?

Do you have active listening skills and are looking for an opportunity to enhance your skills?

If so we would love to hear from you.

We are looking for volunteers for our support groups to assist our group facilitator create a safe and non-judgemental space for our members.

The minimum commitment is 2 groups per month, either face to face or on-line. In return we will provide full induction training and opportunities to meet with other volunteers at further training sessions.

If this sounds like you, please email supportgroups@wiltshiremind.co.uk for further information or to arrange an informal discussion.

£13.50 per hour

Wiltshire Mind is an independent charity supporting people in Wiltshire who are experiencing mental health problems or emotional distress. Our services are accessible for everybody in our community.

We are looking for a Facilitator with experience of supporting mental health, to work on a sessional basis, within our Malmesbury support group. Our wellbeing ‘Connect’ groups provide a safe, welcoming place for people to meet, share their thoughts and experiences and gain support, and are open to those aged 18+. 

The role requires an experienced mental health / wellbeing professional with an interest in facilitating groups to offer face-to-face support with the possibility of supporting in an online format, on occasions.  The post holder is required to welcome new people into the group and maintain a boundaried, safe space to enable people to speak openly about their wellbeing and mental health.  Within the support groups, facilitators are supported by at least one volunteer and the post holder is required to support the volunteer in their role.  Clinical supervision is provided for this role and available, once per month.

Working closely with the Head of Service Delivery, Service Delivery Co-ordinators and volunteers, the role is integral to delivering the requirements of the charity, and service improvement.

The successful candidate will demonstrate high levels of professionalism and exhibit a keen interest in the charity and the values that we uphold. 

Appointment to the role is subject to satisfactory references and Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.  This position is based on a sessional contract, allowing for 2.5 hours per group, on a twice per month basis.

For full details see www.wiltshiremind.co.uk

CLOSING DATE 12^th May 2023

How to apply: 

To enquire about the role, please email Philippa Collins using the details below:

philippa.collins@wiltshiremind.co.uk

Wiltshire Mind are pleased to announce that Stefan Kerwin has joined Wiltshire Mind as Joint Chief Executive Officer alongside existing CEO Paul Mills.

The new Co-CEO role strengthens the leadership team at Wiltshire’s well known mental health and wellbeing charity which has its base in the county town, Trowbridge.

Like many charities, there have been a number of funding challenges since the Covid-19 pandemic, and the increased cost of living continues to have an effect on income. Wiltshire Mind relies on the generosity of the community to help raise the funds which pay for the support provided by the charity locally.

Last financial year the charity helped over 300 people across Wiltshire, and has its sights set on increasing this number in 2023-2024 to help with the increasing demand for support in the county.

The charity is currently working with local partners and grant providers to fund and deliver new innovative wellbeing support services. This includes schools, where early intervention is critical, and with GP’s to develop counselling referral services for adults and young people.

On-going funding is needed to create new services, so the leadership and delivery teams have their hands full at the local charity.

Charity Chair, Jim Donald commented “We have seen a significant increase in the demand for our services since the pandemic. I am therefore delighted that Stefan and Paul are bringing their joint skills and talents to the role. This helps us cover more ground as a local charity, and strengthens our leadership team – enabling us to help more people across our communities”

Wiltshire Mind would love to hear from any organisations or individuals who would like to help volunteer or fundraise for them. They need to raise £465 a day to help continue providing their counselling and support services.

To find out more about Wiltshire Mind, visit their website at www.wiltshiremind.co.uk or contact fundraising@wiltshiremind.co.uk.

We are looking for a qualified counsellor, to work on a sessional basis, to support clients between the ages of 11 and 17, that are referred by GP surgeries as a part of a new innovative funded project.

12 Month Sessional Work Contract

GP Referral Project funded by NHS Charities Together / RUHX

£22.50 per hour

Wiltshire Mind is an independent charity supporting people in Wiltshire who are experiencing mental health problems or emotional distress. Our services are accessible for everybody in our community.

This role requires an experienced practitioner with organisational membership – offering both face-to-face counselling and also using online methods.  Experience of integrative counselling and assessments and working in an organisational setting are essential. 

The Counselling role holds client caseloads and is responsible for assessing new clients into the service.  The post holder is expected to attend supervision in line with the BACP guidelines of a minimum of 1.5 hours per month.  

Experience and practice in counselling children and young people is integral to the role with an ability to use creative and talking therapies.  Working closely with the Head of Service Delivery, Service Delivery Co-ordinator and team members at GP surgeries, the role is integral to delivering the requirements of the charity, and service improvement.

The successful candidate will demonstrate high levels of professionalism and exhibit a keen interest in the charity and the values that we uphold. 

Appointment to the role is subject to receiving satisfactory references and Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.  This position is based on a sessional contract for 7 hours per week over 2 – 3 days.

Details about our charity can be found here: www.wiltshiremind.co.uk

CLOSING DATE 30th June 2023

How to apply: 

To enquire about the role, please email Philippa Collins with your contact details: philippa.collins@wiltshiremind.co.uk