After the roaring success of our fundraising efforts for Birmingham’s Women and Children hospital last quarter, we’re excited to announce that, after a landslide vote, our team have chosen to partner with mental health charity, Mind for Q1 of 2021.

Mind is one of the UK’s leading mental health charities. They provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem and campaign to improve services, raise awareness, and promote understanding.

According to their research, one in four people in the UK experiences a mental health problem every year. This can range from depression and addiction to bipolar disorder and psychosis. Mind’s goal is to ensure every person can receive the most immediate and effective care and attention for their mental health conditions, whether it be initial diagnosis or counselling and support.

The pandemic and the subsequent restrictions designed to prevent its spread have had a big impact on people’s mental health over the past 12 months. In one of Mind’s most recent surveys, more than half of adults (60%) and just over two thirds (68%) of young people said that their mental health had got worse during lockdown.

This has meant that the services provided by Mind, including talking therapy, peer support, advocacy, crisis care and employment support are more in demand than ever before. We’re striving to raise £1000 this quarter to help Mind continue providing these life-saving services and resources to those most in need, particularly as the pandemic continues.

Lauren Ballard, who is a Vantage team leader and head of our charity dream team, said “We chose Mind as this quarter’s charity partner as with the current global climate, mental health is now more important than ever. At Vantage, we want to play our small part in supporting a fantastic charity that provides phenomenal support to anyone who might suffer.”

Not ones to let a nationwide lockdown dampen their spirits, the charity dream team have organised a variety of fundraising activities for Q1, including “Move for Mind” where the team collectively have the challenge of collectively walking, running, cycling or swimming 10,000km. This will not only help to raise funds for Mind but will also keep the team’s own mental and physical health in check, particularly while they work remotely.

We’re also going to be bringing back the monthly Vantage lottery and the Great big Quiz of the year, both of which became firm favourites during last quarter’s fundraising efforts.

To find out more about how you can get involved with the team’s fundraising efforts or to make a donation towards our £1000 target for Mind, visit our Just Giving page here.