Welcome to
SWINDON MIND

Swindon Mind was affiliated to National Mind in November 1989 and the first worker was appointed in 1991 to provide an Information / Advocacy service.  Since then a range of services have been developed, including a Leisure and Learning programme, a Crisis House, Specialist Advocacy services and opportunities for volunteering.

Research shows that 1 in 4 people will seek help for a mental health issue at some point in their lives.  However, the reality is that most adults will experience emotional distress which can be caused by relationship breakdowns, financial problems, stress at work etc. in other words, the issues that occur in everyday life that can sometimes overwhelm people.  In order to address this, Swindon Mind provides services for people across the spectrum of emotional distress from those with mild anxiety to those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or Bi-polar affective disorder.  In addition the Manager is a registered Mental Health First Aid Trainer and co-facilitates two day courses with the Chair of Bristol Mind.  These courses are available for Swindon staff whose work brings them into contact with people who experience mental health issues.

The aims of the organisation are to:

• Provide accessible services to anyone from Swindon who experiences emotional distress
• Reduce stigma and discrimination
• Raise awareness of mental health issues.

Our Values

Swindon Mind is run for the benefit of the local community.  We have a set of core values that underpin everything we do.  These are:

• Creating a safe and enabling environment
• Including everyone regardless of ability or talent
• Recognising everyone’s strengths and skills
• Empowering everyone to make their own choices
• Removing barriers and improving access
• Valuing and respecting individuals

Some of our services are self–referral eg. Information / Advocacy, Individual and Group Support.  Others are accessible through a referral process e.g. “What’s On”, IMHA, IMCA and the Crisis House, (see Services).

Through our staff training programme all our workers have become skilled and knowledgeable in using a Solutions–Focused approach with individuals and groups.  This approach is used as a tool in all parts of our service including when supporting individuals to develop their own Recovery Plans.

Several Members of staff regularly give presentations about mental health to groups in the community e.g. Samaritans, BME groups, Family Centres etc.  The manager is a qualified Mental Heath First Aid Trainer who co-facilitates courses for people who work in Swindon.

The Charity demonstrates commitment to quality by:

• Regularly reviewing practice with services users, staff and trustees, amending projects in response to feedback.
• Researching Good Practice across the country and making sure this information informs practise.
• Being open to partnership working.

~ Working together for better mental health for everyone ~