Author: Paul Mills

Since the first lock down in March 2020, Wiltshire Mind has been providing Counselling for adults and young people and also running Peer Support Groups to those in need of mental health support. We have seen a big increase in demand again in recent weeks, and we have been able to offer counselling and support groups to people across Wiltshire.

Like many charities, we are seeing a decrease in our income though. We offer low-cost services, ensuring they are available to anyone. But this also means our current level of income is not covering our costs.

To provide mental health support to our communities across Wiltshire each year, we need to raise £465 a day. We do not currently receive any commissioned or statutory funding, so we rely on the generous donations of our supporters and local fundraising activity, which has been hit hard by the pandemic and the social restrictions.

1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health problem in our lifetime. We make a difference by offering hope through mental health support to our community. The Coronovirus pandemic is having a huge impact on our mental health. Help us be there for everyone in Wiltshire who needs us at this time.

If you can help in any way, please support us and donate today.

You don’t have to be an elite athlete to support Wiltshire Mind.

Our supporters have fundraised for us in many different and unique ways, from video game-a-thons and bake sales, to undertaking a year of freezing showers!

Community fundraising is the life blood of Wiltshire Mind. We rely on our generous supporters to fund vital services county wide, which include counselling for both young people and adults, peer support groups, and mental health training for individuals and businesses.

So don’t worry if donning the Lycra or trainers isn’t your thing. Choose something you love to do and support the local charity that is here for you.

Wiltshire Mind – For better mental health in Wiltshire.

www.wiltshiremind.co.uk or email: fundraising@wiltshiremind.co.uk

Jim Donald, Chair of Wiltshire Mind (seen above with his wife Michele) was hoping to run a charity golf day at his local golf club this year in the way he has done in previous years. But with the pandemic restricting the ability to play a team event, he struck upon a new idea – a personal Golf Marathon.

With an ambitious target of playing 100 holes of golf in one day, Jim set out on Thursday 27th May with only one goal – a determination to succeed and not let Covid-19 stop him from raising much needed funds for his beloved charity in 2021. Ashford Homes who sponsored the event before, offered to support the event again, and Kingsdown Golf Club waived all green fees for the day.

With temperatures up in the 20’s and the sun beating down all day, Jim set out at first light to play the first round of the day. By 9.30pm that evening, he had played 100 holes of golf continuously, with the loss of only 2 balls. With ideal weather and a host of supporters playing alongside him, Jim thoroughly enjoyed the event, and played extremely well on the day.

£2,500 was raised for Wiltshire Mind at Jim’s Golf Marathon.

Charity Chair Jim commented:

It couldn’t have worked out better. Ideal weather conditions, great supporters and an extremely worthwhile local charity. Every pound goes back into providing mental health support for the people of Wiltshire, so it was a real pleasure to play those 100 holes.

Wiltshire Mind is an independent mental health charity, and relies on the generous donations of its supporters and beneficiaries. Providing counselling services for adults and young people, as well as peer support groups and mental health training, Wiltshire Mind operates across the county. These are particularly challenging times for everyone, and Wiltshire Mind offers a safe and confidential space for those experiencing mental health problems or emotional distress.

Our thanks to Ashford Homes for sponsoring this event.

If you would like to donate to Wiltshire Mind, visit our Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/wiltshire-mind

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Places are now available on our next open course, running on the 16th and 23rd June.

Accredited by MHFA England, this course qualifies you as a Mental Health First Aider and teaches you how to identify, understand and help adults who may be experiencing mental health problems.

The course is delivered over two days via an integrated online learning hub, including individual learning, plus four live instructor-led sessions, with our training partner at My White Dog.
The course costs £285 per person, including a certificate and course materials.

Email: training@wiltshiremind.co.uk to book a place or for more information.

Jim Donald, Chair of Wiltshire Mind is doing a Golf Marathon on 27th May at Kingsdown Golf Club.

Hoping to raise much needed funds to support local mental health services, Jim is aiming to play as many holes as possible in one day at his Golf Club. As a former Club Captain, Jim is a dedicated golfer.

In deciding to set up his Golf Marathon Jim said:

My original plan to run a team golf day is not feasible this year due to current COVID-19 restrictions. Therefore I will undertake a golf marathon myself, playing as many holes as I can in one day. I am seeking your support and sponsorship either per hole or a one off donation. I plan to play from around first light until I drop!

Ashford Homes have generously sponsored Jim in his bid to raise funds, and Managing Director Stuart Morgan is hoping to join Jim for a few holes on the day.

Wiltshire Mind is an independent mental health charity, and relies on the generous donations of its supporters and beneficiaries. Providing counselling services for adults and young people, as well as peer support groups and mental health training, Wiltshire Mind operates across the county. These are particularly challenging times for everyone, and Wiltshire Mind offers a safe and confidential space for those experiencing mental health problems or emotional distress.

If you’d like to support Jim’s Golf Marathon, and help raise funds for Wiltshire Mind, you can visit his Just-Giving Page:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jim-donald-golf

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Good luck Jim on the 27th May at Kingsdown Golf Club.