An organisation promoting mental wellbeing and positivity has been chosen by staff at Redmayne Bentley’s Leeds office as their charity of focus for 2018.
The Bond Court office of the investment management and stockbroking firm will be taking part in a calendar of activities to raise money and support the work of Leeds Mind, which also supports people experiencing mental health issues across the area and aims to tackle the stigma related to them.
Anna Crump, a member of the firm’s Interactive Group, made up of staff who volunteer their free time to support the firm’s fundraising activities, said: “One in four people experience mental health difficulties at some point in their lives. This is why we are delighted to have the opportunity to support such a worthwhile cause that has an impact on the lives of so many.
“Leeds Mind was chosen after a vote was put to all staff earlier this year. We have a history of throwing ourselves into raising money for good causes and are genuinely looking forward to collaborating with Leeds Mind over the next 12 months.”
Leeds Mind offers many services, including counselling, group therapy, social support, peer support, self-directed support, social prescribing, housing support, employment support, suicide bereavement support and mental health training.
Already, fundraising activity has started, with an Easter-themed fun day and monthly sweepstakes having taken place. Meanwhile, people in the office plan to take part in the Gung Ho! 5km challenge in May, with others planning to climb Yorkshire’s Three Peaks this year.
Gemma Green, Fundraising Officer at Leeds Mind, said: “Organisations such as Redmayne Bentley choosing to support a mental health charity like Leeds Mind is just fantastic. It means that more people are talking about mental health, particularly in the workplace. It’s something that we all need to be thinking about.
“Raising awareness is just as important as raising money. Sometimes, in the workplace, people can be frightened to mention mental health as they fear it could be detrimental to their careers. But the more people speak about it, the more normal it becomes.
“It shouldn’t be frowned upon, for example, to call in sick if you feel you are really struggling with depression or stress.”
Gemma added that more people have contacted the charity since the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry began to spearhead a new campaign, Heads Together, to end the stigma around mental health.
She said: “Since the Royal Family got involved in promoting talking about mental health, this has really boosted the awareness campaign and the work we carry out has increased. It has really made a massive difference.”
You can find out more about the work of Leeds Mind at
http://www.leedsmind.org.uk
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Photo captions:
L-r back: Colin Adshead, dealing manager; Luke Kilburn, dealing assistant; Anna Crump, organisational development assistant manager; Lucy Greenbank, compliance officer and Gemma Green, fundraising officer from Leeds Mind.
​Front: Nikki Morris, data management coordinator; Letitia Thomas, assistant to the head of investment management; Rebecca Moorby, communications executive; Ellie Fahy, accounts administrator and Rachael Crabtree, investment administrator.