Celebrating our first year together

Today is World Mental Health Day, a time to come together and raise awareness for mental wellbeing. This time last year we launched  our new charity partnership with Samaritans following clear guidance from our Members, who wanted us to focus on charities dedicated to mental heath support.

After an extensive search involving hundreds of applicants and almost 17,000 Member votes, Samaritans were chosen to be the Society’s new charity partner.

Today we mark out first year with an achievement. Together we’ve raised an impressive £350,000 in support of Samaritans.

Your generosity enables Samaritans to extend the essential work they do every day, 24/7, 365 days of the year. We’re able to support Samaritans in preventing suicide through the power of human connection. Their volunteers are on hand, day, or night, for anyone who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure.

Thank you!

Samaritans have compiled a round-up of highlights from our first year together!

We’d like to say a HUGE  thank all Central Co-op colleagues and Members for the kindness they've shown, the fabulous events they’ve run and the impressive challenges they’ve undertaken in support of our fundraising efforts – we look forward to even more as we enter our second year.

You can continue to support Samaritans in many ways -

Remember, you can make a big difference when you make a purchase in our shops or petrol stations.

Through the micro-donation charity, Pennies, every time you spend £5 or more and pay by card, you can choose to donate 10p to Samaritans!

Support Samaritans? Oh, yes you can!

This year in support of Samaritans our local friends, Great Barr Musical Theatre Co-operative  are performing a pantomime at Highbury Theatre Centre in Sutton Coldfield, on 6th November with  50% of ticket sales being donated to our charity partner, Samaritans.

If you fancy a magical mash-up of two classic stories, bursting with songs and slapstick comedy in support of a good cause, Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs is one for you.

Tickets are £15 each and available HERE. Every ticket purchase made before the 31^st October will be entered into a prize draw to win a luxury Central Co-op Hamper!

World Mental Health Day

Fight for mental health today, and every day

Mental health is more than a small part of our lives – it’s every moment of every day. It’s a hard day’s work and a catch-up with friends. It’s when you become a parent and the day you lose someone you love. It’s the times you reach out for support and the years you spend on a waiting list. It’s the fight for a mental health system that works and hospitals that are safe.

Mental health matters on the days when everything happens and the days when nothing happens. When life is busy and unpredictable and when it’s quiet and ordinary too. That’s why we fight every day, to support more people tomorrow.

10 October is World Mental Health Day, but we want everyone to understand that mental health is important every day. Together we can make sure everyone sees it that way.

Mind

This World Mental Health Day, Samaritans is reminding you to check in and catch up with someone you care about.

We know that many people are dealing with difficult feelings right now. Concerns about mental health, the news, family problems, relationships, financial pressures, or issues at work, can make us feel isolated and alone.

Many things are out of our control, but one thing we can do is look out for each other.

A simple conversation with a friend, family member, colleague, or neighbour can have a positive impact on our mental health. It can help us process our emotions, share and solve problems and build meaningful relationships.

By giving people time, undivided attention, and empathy, we can connect and reduce feelings of distress and despair. And remember, you don’t have to be a Samaritan to be there for someone.

This World Mental Health Day, make time to check in and catch up with someone you care about.

And if you’d like to chat with one of our listening volunteers about something that’s troubling you, we’re always here for you. Call free, day or night, on 116 123.