As our community slowly regains some normality, the St.Helens Mind team is making plans for resuming their services. Thankfully, they were able to change their Befriending Service to telephone befriending at the very start of the pandemic and continued to welcome new volunteers and referrals for people who were in need of regular one to one support.
However, since early 2020, they were required to close the majority of their services, as they use public buildings for groups and activities and these were closed due to the pandemic.
This meant they no longer had our art group, social groups, choir, music group, reading for wellbeing, ladies craft group, and for a while, the allotment.
As restrictions in social isolating changed they managed to open the allotment and secure some funding to run the Men’s Group. The ladies active group resumed their visits to their small garden in Victoria Park and met for walks and craft classes.
To help to start groups again they are applying for grants and also looking at alternatives to deliver support to the community. Their previous cost of venue hire reached almost £10,000. In order to start delivery of any groups and activities they need to secure funding and begin to charge a small amount of ‘subs’ to help to cover costs.
Current Offer
As well as the befriending service, their allotment/garden is open on Mondays and Wednesdays for members and is also open on Thursdays for the wider community. Their Choir, Music Group and Haydock Social Group will be opening in this month. They are accepting referrals for befriending, the allotment, the Men's Group, Ladies Active Group and any other social groups and activities as they open up again.
For more information about Mind St Helens Service, please see the attached newsletter below.