Whitehaven's Atos backs West Cumbria mental health campaign

The West Cumbria Mental Health Match Funding Challenge is being backed by Atos, the first business to offer support through a £4,000 contribution.

Leigh Seaman, client executive partner to Sellafield at Atos, said: "Atos are really proud to be the first business supporter of the Match Funding Challenge, as we recognise the huge impact mental health has in the workplace and the wider community.

"It is an honour to be able to support charities who are doing so much to help people with mental health challenges in West Cumbria.

"With a large local team, we can be sure that their vital work in some way touches our colleagues, alongside thousands of others across the region."

The challenge is part of the wider West Cumbria Mental Health Partnership (WCMHP), established in 2021 through the Transforming West Cumbria programme and funded by Sellafield Ltd.

WCMHP has helped more than 6,500 adults and 2,200 children and young people through various mental health services delivered by more than 20 charities.

The current campaign, led by Cumbria Community Foundation, offers a match funding scheme to raise new funds for future service delivery.

Sellafield has pledged up to £200,000 in match funding, doubling every £1 donated.

Voluntary sector organisations play a major role in service delivery across West Cumbria.

WCMHP is overseen by Cumbria Community Foundation, while Groundwork North East and Cumbria co-ordinates services and brings together providers.

Among the funded organisations are Always Another Way, Citizens Advice Allerdale, Citizens Advice Copeland, Cumbria Youth Alliance, Mind in Furness, Together We, and the Windmill Trust.

Services include one-to-one counselling, physical activities like walking groups, and support for people recovering from abuse and addiction.

One recipient of support is Carlianne, a young person who has experience of care and worked with Cumbria Youth Alliance.

She said: "I didn’t want to really speak to Claire at first but now she has brought the confidence out in me.

"They’ve also helped me with my ups and downs. I was going through a hard time through loss – I lost someone really close to me.

"Not just meeting me once a week but messaging me every day, when I’ve not wanted to get out of bed."

Claire Price, in care and leaving care project manager at Cumbria Youth Alliance, said: "A lot of care experienced young people have massive trust issues.

"I would be very, very surprised if I met a young person that's been in the care system that said to me, ‘I don't have any issues with my mental health’.

"They lack confidence in themselves and our job is to boost that confidence, build their self-esteem and give them belief that they can do whatever they want."

The Cumbria Community Foundation is inviting further donations from individuals, businesses, and community groups to help sustain and grow mental health support across West Cumbria.

The public can donate online at cumbriafoundation.enthuse.com/cf/wcmh-match-funding-challenge, by phone on 01900 825760, or by cheque made payable to Cumbria Community Foundation and posted to Dovenby Hall, Dovenby, Cockermouth, CA13 0PN.

Cheques should note ‘West Cumbria Mental Health’ on the reverse.