5. We fundraise for Minds

Without the support of our amazing communities, we couldn't be here for the people who need us.

But with the ongoing cost of living crisis, we are all working harder, together, to volunteer time and raise much needed funds.

Inspired by the local seal population and the bay’s cold-water enthusiasts, Conwy Mind secured fundraising success with the ‘Seal Splash’.

A challenge that also set out to replicate the struggles in emotions that some people can face when talking about their mental health.

On Sunday 4 February 2024, 71 people took on a cold-water sea dip and raised more than £7,000.

This fun and ambitious fundraiser has allowed Conwy Mind to expand its young people’s service from 16 plus to children aged 11 and above, meaning more young people can now access services like supported self-help or regular support calls.

5.1 Seal Splash: a fundraising innovation in north Wales

Why this work is important:

People in need of mental health support risk having nowhere to turn unless funding for community-based services increases with demand.
9,352 children and young people had Local Primary Mental Health Support Services assessments in 2023, up from 7,403 the year before - the highest on record.
93% of respondents currently in receipt of Third Sector Resilience funding said the voluntary sector were subsidising contracted and grant funded services^[6](WCVA, 2023) .
A state of the sector report from think tank New Philanthropy Capital suggests charities could be propping up public services to the value of £2.4bn^[7] (NPC, 2024).

[6] The aftermath of an afterthought, WCVA (2023)

[7] State of the sector report

Watch video

5.2 Mind Retail: A hub of hope
in Rhyl

Mind shops offer more than a shopping experience.

Our 4 shops in Wales raise vital funds to provide mental health support and help keep the community well. Rhyl has unemployment levels almost double the average for Wales^[8] and 22% of its high street shops are empty^[9]^[10]. The Mind shop in the town centre offers the community low-cost clothing, opportunities for volunteering and a hub to access mental health information and support.

[8] Denbighshire County Council’s sub area profiles 2021, Conwy County Borough Council (2021) -

[9] Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD), (2019)

[10] Conwy & Denbighshire Public Services Board, Wellbeing Assessment (2020)

Each year, around 6,500 bags of donations make sure Rhyl’s shelves are full. But the biggest gift is the time donated by its volunteers to sort, serve and sell.

Joan, one of 4 Lead Volunteers, has been part of the team for more than 20 years.

The role can provide pride and purpose when lived experience of mental health problems and a challenging economy are barriers to paid work.

The closeness of the shop to the community also means more needs are met.

Moving to an ‘everything £5 and under’ shop in response to the cost-of-living crisis has given customers an affordable and sustainable alternative whilst also increasing sales.

Retail in numbers

There are 5 shops in Wales raising vital funds and providing community support.

£70,940

was raised for local and national mental health support thanks to more than 11,000 customers.

4

Mind shops in Cardiff, Llandudno, Prestatyn and Rhyl and 1 shop in Llantwit Major run by Mind in the Vale of Glamorgan

[11] Values generated using Stats Wales' Average (median) gross hourly earnings for Wales for 2023.

63

volunteers gave almost 25,000 hours of their time, a value of £402,126^[11]