Member Article

Barnsley extends mental health service thanks to Coalfields cash

Thanks to access to professional practical support and almost £10,000 in funding from the Coalfields Community Investment Programme, delivered by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, a Barnsley-based charity has expanded its mental health support services.

Securing a total fund of £9,982, TADS (Therapies for Anxiety, Depression and Stress) can now appoint a new Volunteer Coordinator and increase its capacity to include support for 18 to 25-year-olds with mental health issues.

Working in a part-time role, the new Volunteer Coordinator will also recruit additional volunteers and offer supervision, training, coordinate references and DBS checks.

TADS currently delivers workshops, for people aged 11 to 18-years-old, to teach individuals coping techniques that allow them to manage anxiety, stress, worry, sadness and anger. The sessions are built around the neuroscience of a person’s brain in relation to mental health issues and what he or she can do to better manage their daily lives.

Karen Mitchell from TADS, comments: “It goes without saying that there are many aspects of everyday life that can have a negative effect on an individual’s mental health, which is why we believe the services TADS provides are extremely important to the wellbeing of the local residents.

“The techniques TADS teaches people not only help maintain their happy mental health state, but can also be transferred to positively effect other aspects of their lives. With this new funding from Coalfields, we are now able to expand the age range of our services and help more and more people within the area work to improve their lives.”

Chairman of the Coalfield Regeneration Trust, Peter McNestry, comments: “The lives of people living within coalfield communities can be a challenge, not least due to high levels of unemployment and ongoing deprivation, which is why services that address mental health are so vital.

“Organisations such as TADS are committed to making a positive impact on their local community by serving those who live in former mining areas, which is why Coalfield Regeneration Trust is very proud to award TADS nearly £10,000 in funding support.”

“Improving the health and wellbeing of the people from these small cities, towns and villages will ultimately help raise the aspirations of those living in these locations.”

As TADS has become a member of Coalfield Community Investment Programme it will continue to be supported by the Trust and will receive bespoke practical support that includes everything from access to resources and services such as help with third-party funding applications and bid-writing, to tips on effective promotion and marketing.

Delivered by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, the Coalfields Community Investment Programme supports organisations and programmes of activity that meet with three key criteria; to address skills, employment or health.

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust was established in 1999 and is the only organisation dedicated to supporting former mining towns and villages.

Over the years more than 2m people have benefited from support delivered by the organisation. More than 25,500 people have been supported into work, 5,500 jobs have been created or safeguarded, 1.3m people have received the necessary support to help improve their skills and gain qualifications and over 250,000 people have participated in activities that have improve their health.

Since 2015, TADS has also received Big Lottery funding support for salaries and running costs.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Nick Hill .