Both Dorset and Wiltshire Mind are Farnfields Solicitors nominated charities this year, supported by this year’s annual Golf Day and other activities including staff Dress Down Days held once a month at each office. The first cheque of £2808 has been presented to Dorset Mind and will now be reserved for local Support Groups running in the Shaftesbury and Gillingham area.
Despite increased publicity, myths still remain about mental health and can contribute to the stigma that many people still face. Unfortunately, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem over their lifetime, which means someone you know may be struggling. Research suggests that up to 57% of us know someone close who has had some kind of mental illness.
People often feel unable to do anything to support someone with a mental health problem which may come down to not knowing where to turn to for support. The new Peer Support Group with Dorset Mind will hopefully combat some of this. Two groups will shortly be running in Shaftesbury for those seeking to develop positive mental wellbeing. Anyone is encouraged to come along on the first Thursday of the month from 2-4pm at The Hope Centre in Shaftesbury, or on the 3rd Thursday of the month to a group running at The Grosvenor Hotel, with further groups planned for Gillingham soon. If you know someone who may benefit from support either as an individual or perhaps as a carer, please encourage them to come along. Links are provided at the bottom of this article.
The majority of suffers say that they would be comfortable talking to a friend or family member about their mental health, so in many respects, their journey starts here, and knowing where you can go for help is a big step forward.
Julian Alahakoon, Partner at Farnfields and Hannah Garratt, Dorset Mind Events and Fundraising Co-ordinator
Marianne Storey, CEO of Dorset Mind said, “We’re delighted to receive this donation from our charity partners Farnfields. Although an affiliate of the national Mind organisation, we are an independent charity. This contribution will help fund vital mental health services in North Dorset, namely our new Wellbeing Peer Support Groups in Shaftesbury and Gillingham. Building mutually beneficial corporate partnerships that benefit local communities is key to our success in Dorset, and we are honoured to work together with Farnfields to help support local people with their mental health. We really enjoyed supporting the golf tournament on the day and look forward to having fun raising awareness and fundraising together this coming year!”
Julian Alahakoon, Partner at Farnfields, said, “the annual golf day is a fantastic opportunity to raise money for our charities of the year, and our heartfelt thanks goes to all those that participated, either by playing golf or through sponsorship, and congratulations to Webb’s Motor Caravans on winning the main competition. We had fantastic gifts donated to the raffle and auction from local organisations which really added to the event and helped to raise these all-important monies which we have split between both Wiltshire and Dorset Mind this year.”
For confidential mental health support or more information, please visit Dorset Mind’s website www.dorsetmind.uk. For more detail on the groups mentioned above, email wbshaftesbury@dorsetmind.uk or call 0794 438464.
