Twenty organisations from the town have teamed up to launch Swindon Wellbeing, a new campaign to promote mental heath awareness.
The campaign wants to get people talking and to understand that everyone has mental health.
“Wellbeing and looking after ourselves and each other has never been more important,” said campaign coordinator Jol Rose.
“Swindon Wellbeing aims to help people stay healthy – and to know that there is plenty of help available if needed. Sign-posting to local organisations who can help is a big part of what we are doing” he said.
The campaign is supported by funding from Swindon Borough Council and a campaign team has been formed who are dedicated to raising awareness of these important issues.
Swindon-based charity IPSUM is one of the organisations behind the project. Director Julie Mattinson says many people still don’t get the help they need.
“There is still a lot of stigma around – many people are worried about sharing their problems with others” she said.
“Our campaign wants to let people know that we all need help sometimes. Everyone can have problems, so it’s OK to ask for help. We’re lucky in Swindon to have so many great organisations – it’s just knowing how to find them.”
The other organisations involved are AWP, Cruse, Headway, In This Together, Men’s Mental Health Swindon, Olive Tree Cafe, Phoenix Enterprises, Prospect Hospice, Richmond Fellowship, Samaritans, Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind, Twigs, Voluntary Action Swindon, Wiltshire Community Foundation, Willows Counselling, Wiltshire Wildlife and Wiltshire Women’s Empowerment.
They want to get people talking about their mental health issues and encourage them to connect.
The campaign is always looking for people to get involved – they can be contacted via their website www.swindon-wellbeing.org
