Member Article

Mental health charity set to benefit from thousands

A mental health charity, based in Bristol, is set to benefit from a significant windfall after being named as David Wilson Homes’ charity of the year.

The five-star housebuilder will spend the whole of 2019 fundraising for Off the Record and, with David Wilson Homes’ impressive track record in supporting worthy causes, the charity could be in for a big win.

The company, headquartered in Bristol, raised an impressive £87,000 for its previous charity of the year, Jessie May. Now it’s turning its attention to how it can boost funds for Off the Record, with a bake sale already having raised £280 for the charity.

Off the Record is a mental health social movement by and for young people aged 11-25 in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Unlike a charity that provides mental health services, Off the Record is a mental health movement mobilised to support, promote and defend the mental health, rights and social position of young people.

Ian Menham, managing director of David Wilson Homes, said: “Mental health is such an important issue, especially among young people, so we are thrilled to be able to offer our support to Off the Record throughout 2019.”

Liam McKinnon from Off the Record said he was delighted that they had been chosen as Charity of the Year 2019.

Liam said “We’re so pleased that mental health is firmly on the agenda at David Wilson Homes and that collectively the team are keen to support our work with young people’s wellbeing across Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

Off the Record has been providing free and self-referral mental health support since 1965 and we are able to expand and develop our offer to young people thanks to fundraising efforts from the community and local businesses such as this.“

Off the Record provides information and support around wellbeing, including group work, sessions in schools and colleges, and one-to-one therapeutic support across Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

The announcement of Off the Record as David Wilson Homes’ charity of the year comes after the housebuilder announced the launch of a new community fund earlier this year. The David Wilson Homes Community Fund will donate £1,000 each month to a charity or organisation which improves the quality of life for those living in the region. The new initiative is part of the company’s pledge to strengthen its ties with the areas in which it is building new homes.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by David Wilson Homes South West .