The other half of the total amount raised has been donated to the National Autistic Society.
Every year, one in four of us will experience a mental health problem. But hundreds of thousands of people are still struggling. The PDAU believe no-one should have to face a mental health problem alone. Mind, the national mental health charity will listen, give you support and advice, and fight your corner.
Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
Whether stress at work/university is a factor contributing to poor mental health or not, if you are experiencing poor mental health it could be having an impact on your employment or study.
Mark Pitt, Assistant General Secretary of the PDA Union said: “We are delighted to donate £1,750 to Mind. Disputes at work often mean our members also experience an adverse impact on their mental health and that’s why we try and resolve issues early, locally and without confrontation wherever possible.”
Pictured: Fawn Bridges and Hayley Monk of Birmingham Mind; Helen Lewis, PDAU Regional Official and members of the network at Boots.
About Birmingham Mind
Since 1946 Mind, founded as the National Association of Mental Health (NAMH), has been actively engaged nationally in promoting community-based support for people living with a mental health problem. The charity believes that everyone with a mental health problem should be able to access excellent care and services and should be treated fairly, positively and with respect. They campaign on a range of issues that could affect anybody with a mental health problem. This includes health services; legislation; protection of legal rights, and employment.
There is currently a network of around 130 local Minds across England and Wales that offer specialised support and care based on the needs of the communities they support. These local Minds provide help and support directly to those who need it most. Founded in 1962, Birmingham Mind has worked to improve the lives, opportunities and choices open to people living with a mental health problem.
Birmingham Mind provides high-quality services in a variety of settings. Their vision is for people to be in control of their lives and this aspiration emphasises the need to build upon people’s strengths underpinned at all times by a well-established recovery approach.
A note from the charity
“In order to continue to support the ever-growing needs of our city, Birmingham Mind will be investing all donated income we receive over the next three years to create and establish an Advice and Information Telephone Service. We know that many people are struggling in silence and don’t know where to go.
Although mental health is prevalent across the media at the moment, many people are not sure where to go for trusted information and advice.
Through this service we will be able to offer:
- Advice on mental health and wellbeing
- Signposting to a range of mental health and wellbeing services
- Information and access to Birmingham Mind’s services
Thank you once again for your hard work fundraising for Birmingham Mind and contributing to the setup and service that will be provided by the new advice line.”
Hayley Monk, Fundraising Officer of Birmingham Mind
Find out more about Birmingham Mind here.
As a union, the PDAU believes no-one should have to face a problem alone. The PDA Union exists to represent, defend and support the interests of members. Mind’s work to improve lives and offer support to those most in need is admirable and with this in mind, we are very pleased to be able to support the great work that the charity does.
These charity donations are another positive aspect of the ballot at Boots and build upon the previous donation of £3,308 given to Macmillan Cancer Support after the first ballot. However, the main outcome of the ballot was the recognition for the PDAU to speak on behalf of all store-based and relief pharmacists and pre-registration trainees at the company.
Since the ballot PDAU and Boots have negotiated a formal recognition agreement and established consultation and negotiation structures that will ensure pharmacists have a voice on issues through their union. PDAU representatives are currently negotiating the 2019 pay settlement.
Related links
Find out more about the first PDAU network in place at Boots here.
Read about the recognition agreement signed by the PDA Union and Boots signed by the PDA Union and Boots here.
Read more about our donation to the National Autistic Society here.