Mental health charity Solent Mind announces new three-year strategy

Solent Mind, Hampshire’s largest mental health charity, has launched a brand-new three-year strategy.

Announced by CEO Sally Arscott at the charity’s Mayfield Garden Centre and Cafe in Southampton, Solent Mind is aiming to put the needs of the people it supports at the centre of its plans.

She said: “This strategy is a culmination of 18 months of engagement and conversation. We’ve reached out to all our stakeholders, to our partners, funders, service users, volunteers and staff, to ensure that we create a truly shared view of our aspirations for the future.”

Sally said the new strategy, named Reaching Hire, Reaching Far: Growing Together, really captures Solent Mind’s goals for the years ahead.

She added: “We want to reach high in terms of the number of people we support and in terms of the impact we have. We want to reach far into our communities and be proactive in how we get in touch with people who need our help. And we want to grow – grow in strength and resilience so we can weather any storms that come our way. And we’ll do this together.

“I’m delighted to be here to share this new strategy with all our wonderful supporters today. Together, we can continue to support mental health across our region.”

More than 50 invited guests heard from Sally after enjoying refreshments in Mayfield’s Sunflower Cafe. Speakers, Scott Munro, Peer Support Team Lead – NHS Talking Therapies, and Dr Emily Walmsley, Consultant in Public Health, Southampton City Council both powerfully spoke about their support of the strategy, sharing their personal stories of the charity’s mental health support.

Scott Munro, Peer Support Team Lead – NHS Talking Therapies

Scott said: “I joined Solent Mind’s peer support team after I received help during my own mental health struggles.

“Without peer support, I wouldn’t be here today and I’m truly grateful. I wanted to help others who are struggling and now talk to people who are on a waiting list for support.

“Therapy can be daunting for many, and my job is to guide people through the process and be a listening ear. I’ve been given purpose in life, and I am extremely proud to be working for Solent Mind as it launches this brand-new strategy.”

Dr Walmsley spoke about how the charity’s strategy launch coincides with Southampton City Council launching a city-wide mental health strategy.

Dr Emily Walmsley, Consultant in Public Health, Southampton City Council, shared support for strategy

She said: “We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Solent Mind to ensure people in the region can have good mental health and wellbeing, whatever their background and circumstances.

“It’s been fantastic to hear the charity’s plans for the next three years and it’s been a real pleasure to be a part of this wonderful event today.”

Solent Mind serves a growing population, currently 1.14m people, spread across Portsmouth, Southampton, and the southern districts of Hampshire.

“Poor mental health has become an increasingly acute issue, exacerbated by levels of deprivation, a lack of funding and capacity, and long waiting times among local health services.

The organisation’s new strategy aims to respond to these challenges and will tailor the charity’s support to improve its reach, remove barriers to access, and meet the unique needs of the communities it supports.

For more information about Solent Mind’s new strategy, visit https://www.solentmind.org.uk/our-strategy/

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