Poole-based software, web and marketing agency, b4b, recently named Dorset Mind as their fundraising partner for next year, pledging to create a calendar of events throughout 2022 to raise money for the mental health charity.
Every member of the b4b team was asked to vote for the charity they wanted to support. It quickly became clear that mental health is a subject that’s close to a lot of people’s hearts.
Melissa Boyle, b4b’s Marketing Manager, is leading the Charity of the Year initiative. She says, “Mental health is such an important issue, especially during these uncertain and difficult times. I am thrilled that we are supporting a charity that does such worthwhile work tackling the stigma surrounding mental illness, while providing valuable education and support to those who are struggling.”
In her spare time, Melissa writes on the subject of mental health and shares her own lived experience of OCD. She says that she finds it inspiring that so many of her colleagues are eager to support Dorset Mind.
During the course of 2022, b4b will hold monthly fundraising events both internally and with the involvement of clients. In keeping with the theme of mental wellness, some of these will be activities designed to promote mindfulness, such as crafting and yoga sessions.
Dorset Mind challenges mental health stigma and encourages recovery by empowering individuals to develop resilience. The charity’s one-to-one and group support includes counselling, mentoring, support groups, active monitoring, and a befriending service. These help people regain social skills and develop confidence. Dorset Mind also delivers educational wellbeing programmes for schools and workplaces, and provides volunteer opportunities across all areas of the organisation.
Dee Swinton, Income Generation and Marketing Manager at Dorset Mind, says she is delighted that Dorset Mind has been chosen as b4b’s charity partner. She adds: “As an independent charity, the support of our community is hugely important to us, and for local people’s mental health. b4b’s fundraising will help us continue to support adults and young people across Dorset. We’re excited to work with an organisation that actively and visibly supports their employees’ mental health in numerous ways, and we know that our partnership will enhance their offer.”
As part of an ongoing commitment to mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, b4b is also planning a programme of educational content and workshops and has a qualified Mental Health First Aider available to provide support within the team. Other members of staff will be offered the Mental Health First Aid training through Dorset Mind.
Anthony Tilley, Managing Director of b4b says: “We’ve always been a company that cares about its people, and working closely with Dorset Mind will give us new and exciting ideas that help to promote staff wellbeing. This partnership also gives us an opportunity to improve awareness of mental health issues within the community, which is something that is important to us as a business.”