Falkirk and District Association for Mental Health given £2000 funding boost by Ineos

Falkirk and District Association for Mental Health (FDAMH) is being awarded the cash by the Grangemouth-based firm to support its work as it adapts its services and courses to negotiate the difficulties of the coronavirus pandemic.

Nominated by Ineos employee Dave Clark, FDAMH last year helped more than 2000 people.

A lack of face-to-face meetings – a consequence of Covid-19 – has meant the charity has had to rethink the way in which it delivers it services and in particular its highly effective Positive Well-being and Improving Self-esteem and Communications courses.

Angie Bell, psychoeducational group work manager at FDAMH, said: “As a charity working to support people with reduced psychological well-being, the current pandemic has required us to adjust the way we would normally deliver our services.

“Prior to the current situation, most of our services were delivered face-to-face. However, we have been able to continue to support people despite the lockdown via telephone support and online platforms to deliver face-to-face sessions, where applicable.

“In particular, the use of online video platforms allows us to continue to deliver group work and this grant will be used to provide participants with printed workbooks and materials, which we will post to them, to augment the online courses.

“We are grateful for this contribution especially at a time when donations to the charity are significantly reduced.”

Nominating employee Dave said: “Mental illness impacts not only the person suffering from it, but it can also have an emotional effect on other family members, friends and work colleagues.

“Falkirk and District Mental Health Association provides excellent support in the region to those who are suffering from mental ill health along with providing advice and support to family members who are also having to live with it.

“I am delighted that the company I work for has approved a grant to enable the charity to continue to undertake their valuable work during these testing and unprecedented times.”

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