Two of Devon’s leading mental health charities, Devon Mind and Step One, have joined forces to launch Devon Mind x Step One; a joint initiative created to address the desperate need for mental health services across the county.
In June 2020, it was estimated that as many as 12,500 people in Devon would be seeking mental health support as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, due to it being a rural location that relies heavily on tourism, living in Devon can present higher risks of isolation and loneliness.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, both Devon Mind and Step One have been working hard to deliver their services as safely and accessibly as possible – with both charities offering innovative online support.
Devon Mind x Step One is a strong, positive response to COVID-19 which draws on the resources and specialist knowledge of both charities, and sees them collaborate in an effort to produce better outcomes for people across the county at a time when it is needed most.
A Partnership Producing Progress
By working together, the charities can provide the best online mental health support that Devon has to offer. For example, some of their resources include live modular courses and pre-recorded webinars, along with bite-size briefings and workshops.
Delivering support where it will have the biggest impact, courses cover topics such as anxiety, depression, bereavement, and change management. All of the courses are free and open to everyone.
And what’s more, this is just the first step in a planned series of collaborative programmes throughout 2021.
Speaking about the collaboration, Olivia Craig, CEO at Devon Mind, said:
“The last 12 months have seen local charities like Devon Mind and Step One work harder than ever before to meet the rising need for mental health support in our communities.
“Our collaboration was born out of a desire to ensure that people had access to a wide level of support – that they should only need to go through ‘one front door’ to discover courses, workshops, and groups that will benefit their mental health.
“We will continue to work together to develop and grow more opportunities
to support the people in Devon who need us.”
CEO of Step One, Eilis Rainsford, added:
“During the pandemic, we recognised that people’s need for mental health support was increasing, and our charity wanted to do something to address this. “So we have been running free online support and training sessions since last November, and the demand for these courses has continued to rise.
“By working together with Devon Mind, we can provide people with much more support to improve the mental health and wellbeing of our community.
“Together, we will listen to our community and work hard to find new ways to offer more help at this critical time.”
All courses in the Devon Mind x Step One programme are now available for self-referral on both the Devon Mind website (www.devonmind.com), and the Step One website (www.steponecharity.co.uk).
More courses, webinars, and workshops will be added in the coming weeks based on the popularity and feedback from local communities.
About Devon Mind
Devon Mind is an independent mental health charity affiliated with Mind – The National Association For Mental Health.
We aim to empower anyone in Devon who is experiencing a mental health problem to reach out for help. Alongside this, we campaign to improve services, raise awareness, and promote better understanding of mental health.
Formerly known as Plymouth & District Mind, we became Devon Mind in April 2019 to reflect our ambition of extending our support services across the whole county. We won’t stop until everyone in Devon who is experiencing a mental health problem receives both the support and the respect they need.
For more information, please visit www.devonmind.com
About Step One
Step One supports people to manage their mental health, achieve employment goals, and live more independently. We help individuals take the first step towards being in control of their future and fulfilling their potential.
Our services include mental health crisis care and recovery, one-to-one mentoring in employment training, one-to-one community support services, and independent living skills training.
We work with a diverse range of people who may have a mental health issue and/or a hidden disability – such as an autism spectrum condition, for example.
For more information, please visit www.steponecharity.co.uk
Press Release By Devon Mind x Step One
