HEALTH + WELLNESS
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK :
West Kent Mind
AS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK ( MAY 9-15 ) FAST APPROACHES , insideKENT CAUGHT UP WITH WEST KENT MIND TO CHAT ABOUT THE WORK THEY DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY , THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING ON TOP OF OUR MENTAL HEALTH , AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR NEW WEAR IT BLUE CAMPAIGN .
Can you tell us a bit about West Kent Mind ?
West Kent Mind is an independent local mental health charity affiliated to national charity , Mind , which provides much-needed support services in Sevenoaks , Tonbridge , Malling and Tunbridge Wells districts . We offer support to people to get well , stay well and thrive with better mental health .
What services do you offer ?
We understand that managing a mental health problem can be worrying and isolating , so we offer clear and practical support that everyone can access . We have a very passionate and knowledgeable team who deliver a range of services which include oneto-one affordable counselling , specialist mental health support programmes such as hoarding , bereavement support and money problems , and a wide range of community wellbeing social activity groups such gardening , music and social groups for over 55s . We also have a crisis support café and a supported housing residential programme in Sevenoaks . We also provide mental health workshops and training for individuals and businesses to give people the skills they need to support themselves and others .
What have been your biggest fundraising achievements within the West Kent community ?
As an independent charity , community fundraising is a vital source of income for us . We rely on amazing local fundraising heroes who support us through a wide range of activities including epic personal challenges , cake sales , quizzes , concerts , crazy hair days , fancy dress Fridays and much more . We ran a successful online auction last autumn with generous donations from individuals and businesses across Kent which we will be repeating in October again this year . We also currently have charity places in a number of challenge events including RideLondon- Essex 100 , the ASICS London 10K , the Vitality Big Half and the virtual London Marathon . People can sign up to team West Kent Mind , set themselves a personal challenge and raise money for our vital services , simply sign up on our website : westkentmind . org . uk .
130