Thanks to support from the Quartet Community Foundation, Bath Mind and Citizens Advice BANES are doubling down on their efforts to meet the challenges of COVID-19.
Kate Morton, CEO of Bath Mind and Les Redwood, CEO of CAB BANES
The two local charities have been raising awareness about the financial impact of Covid-19 for residents across the area.
Their concern centres on residents falling into debt, which can have devastating consequences, like eviction and loss of child custody and how this can lead to escalating mental health issues.
Every year, over 100,000 people attempt debt-related suicide in the UK, and Bath & North East Somerset already has a pronounced poverty gap and a suicide rate above the national average.
MPs Wera Hobhouse and Jacob Rees-Mogg have both appealed for support in dealing with this issue, which will likely escalate as soon as restrictions on repossessions and evictions are lifted.
In addition to received donations from the general public, the Quartet Foundation have also answered the call and donated funding to help sustain the partnership between the two charities so they can continue to help residents for the next three months.
However, as the date for the lifting of lockdown restrictions nears, time is running out for the charities to bolster their services for the likely surge in clients that an impending recession will cause.
Les Redwood, CEO of the local Citizens Advice said: “It is with great pleasure that we announce this wonderful new funding initiative, provided by The Quartet Foundation, further enhancing our strategic partnership with Bath Mind.
“Covid-19 has brought great financial, mental health and wellbeing challenges to millions of people across the country, so our strengthening and enhanced partnership with Bath Mind is just one way we are all trying to help and support our communities at this difficult time.
“We look forward to further developing our strategic partnership as the challenges continue to rise over the coming months and feel assured that this strengthened partnership will go some way towards helping many of our clients who are most in need.
Kate Morton, CEO of Bath Mind said: “Bath Mind are delighted to receive funding to further strengthen our partnership with Citizens Advice, and provide much-needed advice and support to the most vulnerable members of our community at such a challenging time.”
Recently, MP Wera Hobhouse drew attention to the plight of families and children in Bath & North East Somerset. She highlighted the extreme financial devastation the Coronavirus crisis is going to have, specifically with regards to child poverty and the lasting and wide-ranging result this can cause.
On hearing of the contribution by Quartet and the donations the general public have made, she said: “This is such welcome news at this very difficult time when more residents are facing financial difficulties and dealing with mental health issues.”
To donate to the two charities, you can follow this link for Bath Mind, and here for Citizens Advice B&NES.
