Donation from NFU Mutual will make 'a huge difference' to Caithness mental health group
Caithness Mental Health Support Group says a donation of more than £3000 from the NFU Mutual insurance office in Thurso will make "a huge difference" to its work.
The charity has two drop-in centres, The Haven in Wick and Stepping Stones in Thurso, and provides support for local people who may be experiencing isolation, unemployment and other social difficulties related to mental health problems.
The funding award was announced during Mental Health Awareness Week (May 18-24) and after a survey of NFU Mutual customers showed that nearly three-quarters of people are feeling more isolated since the UK went into lockdown.
Agents and their staff at the Thurso office nominated Caithness Mental Health Support Group to receive a share of the £1 million Agency Giving Fund launched nationally by NFU Mutual’s head office to support local frontline charities during the coronavirus crisis.
The amount handed over was £3164.
Linda Ross at NFU Mutual Thurso nominated the charity, which is close to her heart. She said: “The coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on everybody, including our customers and their communities.
"Many people are feeling more isolated, so it’s a crucial time for support to be available. Caithness Mental Health Support Group is making a wonderful difference to our community and we are proud to have been able to nominate this local charity to benefit from NFU Mutual’s national fund.”
Chris Mackenzie, group manager for Caithness Mental Health Support Group, said: “We are so grateful for this generous donation. We have to find an extra £18,000 to maintain our current service and we are always looking to refurbish our centres with badly needed seating or purchase items for our art and pottery studios.
“With our centres presently closed, we are contacting our service users by telephone, Facebook or Skype and arranging deliveries of meals, groceries and prescriptions.
"It was with a very heavy heart that we had to close our centres, which thrive on social gathering and a sense of family, and are usually open every day of the year.
"However, we are determined that when the Covid-19 restrictions are removed we can reopen our centres safely, as we are expecting an increase in people attending regarding their mental health.
"Longer term, we will also be able to use some of the money for a joint day trip in the local area for our service users, some of whom do not have this opportunity.
"The ability to do this arises from NFU Mutual’s donation, as we will dedicate the funds to activities and events we could otherwise no longer afford. It will make a huge difference to us.”
The NFU Mutual agent for Thurso, Jonathan Hogg, said: “We were delighted when Linda suggested Caithness Mental Health Support Group to be our nominated charity for the Thurso agency. Mental health is a crucial issue, particularly given the current situation, and to be able to support this cause with our donation will hopefully aid the great work the charity does.”