The Co-op Group has announced a charity partnership to support its commitment to improve mental wellbeing for its colleagues and communities across the UK.
The retailer will work with Mind in England and Wales, SAMH in Scotland and Inspire in Northern Ireland to help people develop the skills needed to effectively support their own and others’ mental health in their communities.
It aims to raise £6m through the partnership by engaging colleagues, members and customers in a range of national and local fundraising.
The initial focus will be on fundraising but the partnership will develop in order to enable the charities to deliver innovative new services in communities across the UK to ensure people receive the support they need.
Steve Murrells, CEO at the Group, said: “For decades mental health has been under reported and underfunded. It’s also one of those issues people still find difficult to talk about, despite the fact that it can affect any of us at any time. Indeed, research shows us that mental health issues effect one in four people each year. That’s 14 million people in the UK.
“It not only feels right that as a co-op we focus on this issue, but our Community Wellbeing Index, which enables people to go online and compare their community with 28,000 others across the country, has identified mental wellbeing as an area that needs our support.
“Supporting the issues surrounding mental wellbeing is a key part of our Co-operate 2022 plan and is interlinked to our other key focus areas, spaces and skills, to create healthier and happier communities.
“We are looking forward to working with Mind, SAMH and Inspire to bring communities together to improve mental wellbeing.”
