Mary Frances Trust at breakfast
The final Mole Valley Chamber of Commerce breakfast of 2024 was well attended, featuring a compelling presentation by Biba Brooke-Webb, the fundraising officer from Mary Frances Trust (MFT). This local mental health charity, celebrating its 30th anniversary, has been supporting the Surrey community since 1994.
About Mary Frances Trust
MFT, founded in Leatherhead by Mary Edwards and Frances Jones, works alongside individuals using mental health services to help them achieve their goals and aspirations. The charity emphasises that mental health is as crucial as physical health, with one in four people experiencing mental health issues at some point in their lives.
Services Offered
MFT provides a wide range of free services to Surrey residents aged 16 and over with a Surrey GP, including:
- Self-help groups and activity classes
- Peer support groups
- Financial and benefits support
- Safe Haven in Epsom for people in crisis
- General Practice Integrated Mental Health Service (GPimhs)
- Recovery Connect programme
- Service User Network (SUN) for personality disorder support
- Financial and Wellbeing Support Service in partnership with Epsom & Ewell Citizens Advice
Community Impact
The charity’s impact is exemplified by their football team, the East Surrey Eagles. A team member’s heartfelt letter highlighted how the football group has been a “lifeboat that just doesn’t sink” for players with various mental health diagnoses.
Co-production and Lived Experience
MFT prides itself on its co-production approach, involving service users in shaping and designing services. The charity’s Advisory Group and employment of Lived Experience Practitioners (LexPs) demonstrate their commitment to this ethos.
Support Opportunities
Biba encouraged local businesses to consider MFT as their Charity of the Year, highlighting benefits such as:
- Enhancing team spirit and work culture
- Demonstrating social responsibility
- Increasing employee satisfaction and engagement
- Engaging with the local community
- Improving mental health through altruism
The presentation concluded with an invitation to support MFT’s Christmas Fundraising Appeal and an offer of free training to help businesses tackle mental health stigma.
If you would like to find out more about the please visit their website.
Photo: David Robertson
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