A West Cumbrian business is backing a fundraising campaign aimed at tackling the region’s growing mental health crisis.
Global AI-powered digital transformation leader Atos, which has a base in Whitehaven, is the first business to pledge support for the West Cumbria Mental Health Match Funding Challenge.
West Cumbria Mental Health Partnership was launched in 2021 as part of the Transforming West Cumbria social investment programme, funded by Sellafield Ltd through its Social impact, multiplied (SiX) programme and delivered by Cumbria Community Foundation.
Since then, more than 20 charitable organisations have been funded to deliver accessible, low-level mental health services that prevent mental ill health and promote emotional wellbeing.
Over 6,500 adults and 2,200 children and young people have already benefited from this support.
Now, the community foundation is running a match funding challenge, giving other businesses, community fundraisers and individuals the opportunity to step up and help sustain these essential services.
Sellafield Ltd has pledged a match funding pot of £200,000 to support future mental health service delivery.
For every pound donated to the appeal, Sellafield Ltd will match it £1 for £1, offering businesses, groups and individuals the opportunity to make double the difference.
Atos is the first business to rise to the challenge, donating £4,000 to the appeal.
Atos client executive partner to Sellafield, Leigh Seaman, said: “Atos is really proud to be the first business supporter of the challenge, as we recognise the huge impact mental health has in the workplace and the wider community.
“It is an honour to be able to support charities who are doing so much to help people with mental health challenges in West Cumbria.
“With a large local team, we can be sure that their vital work in some way touches our colleagues, alongside thousands of others across the region.”
Voluntary sector organisations are at the heart of delivering mental health services in West Cumbria, and their work is vital to building community resilience and reducing stigma.
Cumbria Community Foundation oversees the WCMHP, while Groundwork North East & Cumbria lead on the adult and youth mental health service delivery and coordinate bringing wider mental health providers together.
Organisations funded to deliver services include Always Another Way, Citizens’ Advice Allerdale, Citizens’ Advice Copeland, Cumbria Youth Alliance, Mind in Furness, Together We and the Windmill Trust.
Support for those struggling comes in many forms, from one-to-one counselling and physical activities such as walking groups, to tailored sessions for those recovering from abuse and addiction.
Carlianne’s story
The partnership funds support for care experienced young people through Cumbria Youth Alliance.
Carlianne, now 21, was in the care system for eight years. Working with Claire Price, in care and leaving Care project manager at the alliance, has given her the confidence to move into her own flat and undertake work experience placements.
“I didn’t want to really speak to Claire at first,” Carlianne said. “But now she has brought the confidence out in me.
“They’ve also helped me with my ups and downs. I was going through a hard time through loss – I lost someone really close to me. Not just meeting me once a week but messaging me every day, when I’ve not wanted to get out of bed.”
Claire said: “A lot of care experienced young people have massive trust issues. I would be very, very surprised if I met a young person that’s been in the care system that said to me, ‘I don’t have any issues with my mental health’.
“They lack confidence in themselves and our job is to boost that confidence, build their self-esteem and give them belief that they can do whatever they want.”
Ways to support
- There are several ways you can support the West Cumbria Mental Health Match Funding Challenge:
- Donate online at https://cumbriafoundation.enthuse.com/cf/wcmh-match-funding-challenge
- Make a donation by telephone by calling 01900 825760. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
- Send a cheque, payable to Cumbria Community Foundation to Cumbria Community Foundation, Dovenby Hall, Dovenby, Cockermouth, CA13 0PN. Please write ‘West Cumbria Mental Health’ on the back of the cheque.
- Organise a fundraising event – see the fundraising guide for inspiration.
