Bath Mind is working to support the mental health and wellbeing of people across Bath & North East Somerset during the current coronavirus pandemic.
A fundraising appeal has been launched to keep the Bath Mind services running
The COVID-19 crisis has seen a huge increase in mental health needs, and it is anticipated that this will continue to rise as more and more peoples’ lives are touched, in different ways, by the coronavirus.
Bath Mind has acted quickly to help meet this growing need, adapting their ongoing services to ensure that the hundreds of local people who rely on them can be supported in the changing times.
Until the pandemic, Bath Mind provided over 30 group meetings a week across B&NES, ranging from a safe place where people can meet to have a coffee and chat, to gardening, cooking, sport and photography groups; including working with Bath Spa and Bath Universities, providing support and activities to support students’ wellbeing.
People in the local community depend on these vital services as it may be their only contact with other people.
In many cases it helps keep them out of hospitals and safely at home, including both at a dedicated residential home in Bath and other supported housing within B&NES. In addition, Bath Mind visit hundreds of people in their homes, giving them essential 1:1 support, which is entirely tailored to the specific needs of the individual.
Uniquely, Bath Mind works within Citizens Advice, where their specialist team help individuals with financial hardships, as well as campaigning on a national level to bring about change for those in financial need.
Bath Mind has adapted as many of these services as possible, and now calls and meets virtually with hundreds of vulnerable people who need regular support and are feeling increasingly isolated now that they are not able to meet face-to-face.
As an additional response to the coronavirus, Bath Mind has a pivotal role leading on mental health. As part of the Compassionate Community Hub, Bath Mind offers mental health and wellbeing support to those in need throughout B&NES.
In these challenging times, an increasing number of people are dealing with mental health issues.
In particular, there is a huge increase in stress, anxiety and loneliness. Bath Mind supports the needs of the individual, to ensure they receive appropriate help.
If you need support with personal finance, housing, food, wellbeing, medicines or befriending, call 0300 247 0050 9am-5pm 7 days a week.
For more information, visit www.bathmind.org.uk/covid-19-compassionate-community-hub/.
Needless to say, to enable them to continue to support those in need, Bath Mind needs your support now more than ever.
You can follow their fundraising campaign on social media and via the Bath Echo. There are some great initiatives which will not only give you a chance to have a bit of fun, but also raise some money to help those most in need.
Are you up for a challenge? Set yourself a target, and head to www.bathmind.org.uk where you can download a full fundraising pack to get you started.
You can find the latest coronavirus information, advice and community updates for the Bath & North East Somerset area on our dedicated live blog here.
