Burges Salmon's Charity Committee receives many requests for help from both local and national charities all year round. However, for many years now the firm has chosen to support a Charity of the Year instead, so that the donations and funds raised can make a real difference. The firm’s people nominate their preferred charity and then vote from a final shortlist.
Bristol Mind is a mental health resource for people in Bristol and the surrounding areas. It promotes a positive view of mental health and provides services that are accessible, relevant and empowering to the people using them.
Bristol Mind recognises that each individual is a resource for their own recovery. Many of its workers, volunteers and trustees have themselves experienced the impact of emotional and mental distress.
Burges Salmon’s chair of its Charity of the Year Committee, Will Woodall, says: “We are thrilled to be able to announce Bristol Mind as our Charity of the Year for 2018. It is a fantastic local charity that promotes a positive view of mental health. Plans are already underway for an exciting year of activities and I encourage everyone to get involved."
Tom Hore is the charity’s Director: “On behalf of staff, trustees and volunteers at Bristol Mind I can say that we are delighted and proud that Burges Salmon has chosen us as its charity of the year. I feel excited about the year ahead, knowing that so many people within the firm share the passion and commitment that we have to supporting people who are either experiencing mental health issues or at risk of developing them. We are also proud to be associated with an organisation that takes such a positive approach to the wellbeing of its staff, as evidenced by the achievement of excellence across all eight standards for the Bristol Workplace Wellbeing Charter.
“I am very much looking forward to developing our relationship with Burges Salmon over the coming year, and sincerely hope that all staff at the firm will feel the benefit of the partnership.”
Burges Salmon Chief People Officer Robert Halton says: “What a great charity to be supporting - Bristol Mind. This is such an important area for us to be involved in and I know that it will be able to support us too. We can learn a lot from each other.”
Bristol Mind’s services include:
- Information and signposting services
- A wide range of advocacy services
- Low cost counselling
- A confidential helpline - MindLine
- A confidential Transgender helpline
- A hate crime service
- Volunteering opportunities
- High quality training courses
Fund-raising activities for Bristol Mind are already underway at Burges Salmon and the firm will be organising a range of volunteering opportunities for its people to get involved with the charity throughout the year.