Charity calls for corporate partner for youth mental health challenge

Mental health charity Lancashire Mind are looking to partner with a local business ahead of the launch of their first summer wellbeing challenge which they hope will engage over 1000 children and young people across the county.  

Lancashire Mind are looking for support from an organisation which shares their commitment to helping young people to improve their mental health and wellbeing. The partnership will involve sponsoring their summer initiative- The Wellbeing Selfie Challenge- which starts on Monday 23rd August.  

Every day during the challenge a different theme will be announced on social media alongside a tip about wellbeing that relates to that theme. Young people will build up a collection of 10 selfies and tips throughout the challenge which they can look back on and use to support their mental wellbeing in the future. Lancashire Mind is offering this challenge, which also includes a wellbeing pack, to young people at no cost.

Currently 1 in 8 young people experience a mental health condition and over 50 per cent of mental health conditions develop before the age of 14. Lancashire Mind work extensively with children and young people in schools and community groups across Lancashire, but since March they have been unable to hold face to face sessions. 

Holly Mannion, Community Development Lead said: “The work that we carry out in schools and community groups helps to ensure our children and young people grow and develop into mentally healthy and productive adults.

“It’s vitally important that we’re able to continue to carry on this work. These young people are our future workforce and we want to equip them with the skills they’ll require to be productive adults.”

Emma Bateson, Fundraising Lead at the charity said: “We are looking for a local business with a real commitment to supporting young people and their mental health to join us in this challenge. In return for sponsoring the challenge our corporate partner will receive dual branding on all marketing materials, our website, in press releases and presence across all our social media platforms, which have over 10,000 followers and contacts.”

Like many charities Lancashire Mind’s income streams have been hit due to the pandemic, with most of their planned fundraising events cancelled.

Emma added: “We’re a local charity, separate to the national Mind organisation, and we rely heavily on donations and fundraising events from our supporters to enable us to continue.  Many companies take their Corporate and Social Responsibility seriously and partnering with Lancashire Mind on initiatives such as this one, is an ideal way to demonstrate their commitment to investing in the future of Lancashire.”

If you’d like further details and information, contact emmabateson@lancashiremind.org.uk.