How We Help

Supporting complex mental health needs

1 in 4 of us experience mental health problems. Some of us will experience severe mental illness (SMI) with 1 in every 105 of us having a mental health diagnosis classified as severe. For many, there are other factors that can further complicate living with a severe mental illness, which can significantly impact people’s day to day lives.

Mental health need is considered complex when people are living with a severe mental illness, as well as another condition or complicating factor. For example, someone may have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, and a learning difficulty, or they may have psychosis and also be homeless with a history of substance abuse.

Our mission is to help people with complex mental health needs live a life full of hope. Here are some of the ways your generous donations help us to do that.

Climbing Towards Recovery

Ian Bradley is a teacher at St Andrew's College, and he focusses on offering enrichment activities for our patients, including trips into the community to do fun things like climbing.

The Pinnacle Climbing Centre is only a 15-minute drive from our Northampton hospital, and patients within our Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) are able to take part in climbing sessions, where they work towards the NICAS (National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme) climbing award.

"Climbing has many benefits," explains Ian. "It could be solving a particular problem you have been working on, it could be tying your knot for the first time, it could be catching your first fall. I think the main thing that young people benefit from is confidence."

Fundraising will help us to ensure more people who are struggling with complex mental health are able to take part in activities such as climbing.

"I'm lucky enough to come climbing whenever I want to, and there's not many barriers preventing me, and I think everybody should have that same opportunity, irrespective of your personal circumstances, and having mental health should not be a barrier," Ian explained.

Real Lives. Real Change. Real Stories

Your support helps us stick around for the ups and downs, the tears and treatments, the smiles and courage that shape the lives of people living with complex mental health needs.

Here are their stories.

Francis' Story

"The guitar helped me show my family that my brain wasn’t injured beyond all repair".

Neelam's Story

"My brain tumour changed my life and now I have hope for my future".

Sedona's Story

"I felt like I was being treated like a human again. There was that tiny bit of hope that popped up"

Donate Today

We support people facing some of the most complex mental health challenges. Every pound you give helps fund life-changing therapy, creative activities, and support services that bring real hope.