Strategy

Mind in Somerset Positioning Strategy

There has never been a greater need for Mind than the current times. Mental health problems in England and Wales and across Europe are on the rise: by 2020, depression will be the leading cause of health problems in Europe and the cost of poor mental health to our society is in excess of £110bn.

This plan lays out the first year of the strategic direction and key business priorities for Mind in Somerset from October 2018. We have created a strategy which we believe to be both ambitious and achievable. It identifies key goals, defines specific objectives, and outlines a set of business and operational priorities which we aim to undertake. We want to utilise the passion, commitment and talents of our workforce and supporters to create support that is more effective and available than ever before. We’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to the process.

The plan takes into account a wide range of factors which impact on the way we work and what we do, including our current organisational strengths and weaknesses, the economic, political and social world we are operating in and the commissioning plans and intentions of our commissioning partners. It will provide the framework for making decisions about our charitable work, deciding between competing priorities and steering our course through an uncertain future. The intention is that it will provide an overarching framework to support the development of our annual business and operational plans.

WHO WE ARE

Mind in Somerset is an independent charity that has been formed from the merger, in October 2018, of Mind in Taunton and West Somerset and South Somerset Mind. The result is a charity able to deliver services for the whole of Somerset and to provide specific services to areas in adjoining counties.

We are a Company Limited by Guarantee with all funds spent on delivering services locally. We are affiliated to the national charity Mind and we are able to draw on their resources, guidance and expertise to help in delivering our mission.

OUR CORE PURPOSE

To provide services and support to anyone affected by or vulnerable to mental illness, improving their quality of life and well-being.

OUR VISION – our long-term goal

Mind in Somerset aims to promote good mental health and wellbeing, to provide a voice and champion a greater understanding of mental health issues in the community whilst operating to the highest standards of governance and delivery.

Service Strand Strategy 2019/20

Youth Matters

This project supports 16-25 year olds with their mental health, through a weekly drop-in session and 1-1 counselling. Funding for this project ended in June 2016 and since then South Somerset Mind have been supporting young people through their core funds, which is unsustainable beyond September 2017. Some of their young service users are making excellent long-term progress.

“Bump in the Road” Pregnancy and Maternity Support

A project to support women who are struggling with their mental health both during and after pregnancy. Women with young babies or children can find it difficult to leave the home or attend groups, so a support working coming to their home can be the lifeline needed to help them and their families. Working in partnership with Health Visitors, this programme would embed into Doctors’ surgeries and then be rolled out across the area.

Farming Support

In our rural area, farmers are seven times more likely to take their own life than other professionals. One contributing factor is a lack of time to fulfil their work. Groups are therefore not an option. Increasing triggers are financial and linked with bovine TB. Tailored Support Workers are needed on the farm to help while the Farmer goes about their work.

Armed Forces Family Support

This project, in partnership with HMS Heron, would support the families of serving personnel. Service families are often forgotten next to serving personnel who may suffer from PTSD or other combat disorders. However, their families experience loneliness, isolation, anxiety and stress.