20th May 2009

MindWise Plant Tree in Carrickfergus to mark launch of new charity

Local mental health charity MindWise has today planted a tree at it’s allotment in Eden, Carrickfergus to mark the charity becoming independent.

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 tree planting event which was held at the charity’s allotment which was previously donated by Carrickfergus Council, the charity was keen to communicate the change to local stakeholders, MindWise service manager, Paul Barrott was keen to let local people 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. Our housing service here in Carrickfergus will continue as before encouraging community integration and person-centred support based on our ethos of promoting recovery, this has always been the case when we were formerly known as Rethink NI and will continue to be the same now that we are MindWise. 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”.

Deputy Mayor of Carrickfergus Borough Council, Councillor Mark Cosgrove who was a special guest 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 Carrickfergus Council area. Speaking at the launch he 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”.

Future plans for the newly formed MindWise will include greater focus and activity in the area of education and awareness and the development of specialist support systems for teenagers and young adults at risk of developing a mental illness.  The charity hopes that the earlier it intervenes to offer support when a mental illness develops the more effective and positive an individual’s recovery can be.