1st June 2009

MindWise re-launch charity shop in Magherafelt

Local mental health charity MindWise has today re-launched its charity shop in Magherafelt which is known as New Style Furniture with the help of Councillor Kate McEldowney,  Chairperson of Magherafelt District Council and Councillor Anne Forde, Vice Chairperson of Magherafelt District Council.

MindWise which was formerly known as Rethink NI used to be a region of a national mental health charity, however as of 1st April 2009 the Northern Ireland region de-merged from the parent charity to become independent. As part of the devolution process a new identity was developed after a period of consultation with the charity’s internal stakeholders with the new name, MindWise being suggested by a member of staff and the associated slogan, ‘a new vision for mental health’ being suggested by an individual who accesses the charity’s service.

Speaking at the official re-opening event which was held at the New Style Furniture shop in Workspace on Rainey Street, sevice team leader Paddy Murtagh was keen to communicate the change and to let supporters and shoppers know that although the charity’s name and legal status had changed services had not, he said “The nature of the work our charity carries out to offer support to those affected by severe mental illness and other mental health difficulties will remain the same as ever. New Style Furniture not only offers training facilities for those affected with mental illness, as a shop it also helps generate much needed income to fund our services. 
As a fledgling independent charity though, now more than ever we are calling on local people and businesses to help support our work by making donations to help us run existing services and to develop new ones”.

Councillor McEldowney speaking at the event was keen to help promote awareness of mental illness and to show his support for the valuable work that MindWise does in the Magherafelt District Council area. Speaking at the launch she said “I am aware from my previous connections with MindWise when it was known as Rethink NI that as many as one in four local people can be affected by mental illness at any one time, I am happy to lend my support to the invaluable work MindWise does not only to support those affected but also the equally Important campaigning and lobbying activities the charity undertakes to raise awareness of mental illness. I wish them every success as MindWise and I hope that public support for them continues and grows”.

To help celebrate the shop’s re-launch and to mark the 15th Anniversary of it trading in Magherafelt there will be a special sales promotion running with 15% of all prices.

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