Starbucks Canary Wharf, Churchill Sq

The holiday period is traditionally a time for friends, family, and celebration. However, for those experiencing a mental health issue, the pressure of the holiday period can prove exceptionally challenging and stressful. For those who are isolated, the perception that others are having fun and in company can intensify feelings of loneliness. We want to provide our service users with a Christmas social event during the holiday period, to ensure everyone has the chance to experience some festive cheer! In addition to supporting clients with our usual services, extra funding will help us provide food, entertainment and staff to ensure our clients have a happy holidays. Mind in Tower Hamlets and Newham is a community-based mental health charity which provides a wide range of services to ensure that anyone facing a mental health or emotional issue has somewhere to turn for support and advice. Our team of 29 staff and over 80 volunteers are committed to ensuring our service is accessible to all, and working proactively and creatively in response to individual needs. We are committed to supporting people towards recovery, developing their resilience and challenging the barriers that hold them back – including stigma surrounding mental health and barriers to employment. Last year we supported over 3,000 individuals and had in excess of 35,000 face-to-face contacts. We serve clients experiencing both common mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, and more complex issues such as substance misuse, forensic issues and wider medical conditions. Our clients are placed at the centre of our organisations, we work in partnership to develop, review and improve services, explore new opportunities for peer support, and celebrate their success and achievements. The development of user-led services is vital, creating and supporting routes back to work, challenging employers to challenge stigma, and developing strong partnerships in the community. In addition to continuously seeking to expand the range of our services, we are also pursuing new methods of fundraising to cope with a reduction in statutory funding over the next few years. As we work in two of the most deprived boroughs of London,we hope you can see the importance of providing our valuable service and support local residents.