Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 runs from 13th to 19th May, and this year’s theme is ‘Movement: Moving more for our mental health’.
This year, we want to shed light on the ways we foster good mental health, both in and outside our grant making activities. Mental health and wellbeing are embedded in our current grant programmes. Our overarching mission is to use our resources to help people and communities in the UK at a time of need, and many of the organisations we support work across multiple areas including physical health, financial wellbeing, employment and housing as well as mental health.
Embedding mental wellbeing in our grant making
We provide funding to 64 charities across the UK that specialise in mental health and wellbeing services, but our commitment to mental health support extends beyond these specific organisations. Since many of the communities our grant holders support experience multiple disadvantages that can lead to poor mental health, organisations often work across areas like housing, employment, finances and health to achieve positive outcomes.
Some groups are more likely to experience poor mental health than others due to societal or structural inequalities, discrimination, exclusion, health differences or having experienced trauma. The Henry Smith Charity currently works with organisations that focus on supporting people who identify as LGBTQIA+, Black or Black British people, young women, and those who have experienced homelessness, substance misuse or have had contact with the criminal justice system.
Multiple areas of wellbeing in action
One of our grant holders based in the London Borough of Brent embodies this intersectional approach – and is a brilliant example of this year’s theme: Moving more for our mental health.
Sport at the Heart provides sports, physical activity, creative arts, play and trauma-informed wellbeing initiatives for young people and their families in an area where child poverty rates sit at 41%. It has increased community through activities and services with young people, sports and after-school clubs with local primary schools, and 1-1 mentoring for at-risk young people experiencing mental ill-health, school exclusion and involvement with gangs. The organisation is embedded in the community and a large proportion of the staff are aged under 25 and former service users.
“With this funding, we have been able to provide consistent, vital youth and community services to children, young people and their families during a period of intense rises in the cost of living.”
– Sacha Lumley, Programmes Coordinator, Sport at the Heart
The initiatives we support are crucial for aiding the UK during the substantial surge in mental health crises which have followed the pandemic and cost of living crisis. Importantly, our funding prioritises both the recipients of our support services but also those who work behind the scenes to deliver them. As part of our grant application assessment process, we also enquire about the health and wellbeing initiatives that applicant organisations have implemented for their staff. Given that 1 in 4 people experience mental health issues each year in England (Mind, 2020) we understand the significance of these organisations in supporting not only service users but also nurturing their staff’s wellbeing.
Mental wellbeing in the workplace
In a post-pandemic society, where mental health has been significantly impacted, it’s imperative for employers to recognise and support mental wellbeing through robust company policies and benefits. The Henry Smith Charity has implemented several initiatives designed to assist employees facing mental health challenges, and we regularly review these to improve and build on our support options
So far, we have:
- Introduced Mental Health First Aiders, trained by MHFA England to listen to colleagues’ health and wellbeing concerns, signposting and referring where appropriate. an
- Implemented a stress counselling 24-hour helpline, ‘Empathy’, which provides colleagues with up to six free counselling sessions.
- Introduced a company doctor scheme as well as BUPA medical insurance for staff.
- Introduced an annual wellbeing allowance which employees can use to support their wellbeing however they choose
We are implementing a wider People and Culture plan with a focus on maximising staff wellbeing and social engagement”. And as we develop our new organisation strategy in the coming months, we remain committed to fostering a supporting and inclusive workplace culture at the Henry Smith Charity.
By prioritising mental health, both within our grant making and organisational culture, we strive to create a positive impact not only on individuals but on society as a whole.
Authors
Ellen Rowland, Communications Manager and Iona White, People and Culture Assistant
Contributor
Matt James, Grants Manager