Report Impact
2023-2024
AMessage
fromourChairperson
Welcome to the Mind in Mid Herts Impact Report for 20232024. Thank you for taking the time to read about the work we’ve done over the past year.
The theme of this year is “Change and New Beginnings”. At Mind in Mid Herts, we have seen a lot of growth and transformation. This report shares the ways we’ve continued to support our community, helped more people than ever before, and made sure mental health remains a priority for everyone.
Sharn is coming up to her 10th anniversary of being appointed as the CEO of Mind in Mid Herts and anniversaries are always a good time to reflect and consider the future
In the financial year when she was appointed (2014-2015) our income was under £500K and we listed 4 services in our annual accounts across our 4 centres.
This year we have 12 different services, the original services are still there, but we also provide other much-needed support within our community the impact of which is detailed throughout this report.
As ever, the Trustees wish to express their appreciation for the commitment and enthusiasm of all the staff and volunteers who give their time to the charity, who help Mind in Mid Herts make such a positive difference
Paul Ronald Chairperson
from our CEO
Over the past year, Mind in Mid Herts has supported more people than ever before, growing our services by over 150% compared to 2019.
This impact report highlights our key achievements, including the expansion of our services, partnerships, and personal stories of recovery that demonstrate the success of the people we support to recover and live well Our commitment to supporting people and their mental health in Hertfordshire has never been stronger, and we continue to strive to do more and meet the increasing demands
This report highlights:
3,171 people supported in 2023-24 (a 150% increase from 2019).
The opening of Alon’s Wellbeing Centre in Hatfield, providing crisis support at weekends and expanding our counselling services.
Continued work with partners - GPs, HPFT Talking Therapies, and local councils.
Our wonderful volunteers continue to be much-valued members of our team. We could not do what we do without them. They contributed 4,662 hours this year. Carrying out a variety of roles from board advisors to administration tasks and of course supporting the people who come to see us with keeping in touch calls, in groups and befriending.
Finally thank you to all the people who support the work we do including commissioners who work with us and have awarded a Capital grant that has allowed us to open Alon’s Wellbeing Centre.
Sharn Tomlinson
CEO, Mind in Mid Herts
so far ourimpact
In 2023-24, we have continued to surpass all expectations, with the team continuing to go above and beyond in supporting the people who use our services, maintaining access and support at this time of huge uncertainty and disruption.
We have seen an increase in the number of people we are working with of over 150% over the last 3 years. Some of this is due to new services/projects launched.
The crisis café is running on FridayMonday evenings in partnership with Herts Mind Network at our new Alon’s Wellbeing Centre in Hatfield, where we had a formal launch event in January 2024
Additionally, we have expanded our counselling services, supporting over 1,000 people across our three centres, including Alon’s Wellbeing Centre We have established key partnerships with GPs, HPFT Talking Therapies, Welwyn Hatfield District Council, and local job centres.
The mental health landscape is increasingly challenging, with greater numbers of people needing support, and with the severity of mental health illness becoming more serious. To meet these challenges, Mind in Mid Herts have strengthened its partnerships and involvement in various health networks.
We continue to co-chair the Crisis Care Partnership (CCP) alongside key partners like Hertfordshire Constabulary, local NHS Trusts, and other third-sector organisations. This work, supported by our engagement with the Mental Health Learning Disabilities and Autism Health Care Partnership (MHLDA HCP), helps ensure that the voices of people with mental health illnesses are heard across the system.
mission ourvision,
and Values
Mission Vision
"We will work to ensure the mental health of everyone in Hertfordshire is supported and respected."
"Providing prevention, recovery, and support services in Hertfordshire to empower people to take control of their mental health."
Our Values
Inspirational – Inspiring others to achieve their potential.
Openness – Acting with integrity and transparency while caring for staff, volunteers, and the people who use our services.
Altogether – Stronger in partnership.
We Care – Listening and facilitating change.
Passion – Caring for the people who use our services is at the heart of everything we do.
Achievements Key 2023 - 2024
Here are our Key achievements for 2023 to 2024
3,171
People Supported
This year, we supported a record 3,171 people, representing a significant 150% increase from 2019-2020, when we supported 1,267 people. The rising demand for our services reflects both the mental health challenges facing our communities and our growing capacity to meet these needs. This achievement is especially notable given the uncertainty and disruption of recent times We will go on to strive to meet the growing needs of our local communities during these uncertain times and rising costs.
1,000
People trained
Our Training and Development programme continues to flourish. Over the past year, we trained 1,000 people, including 125 Mental Health Peer Supporters (MHPS) for corporate partners. These peer supporters play an important role in creating mentally healthy work environments. Additionally, we continue to run monthly network and supervision meetings to support their ongoing development
1,041
Number of people Counselling service saw
Our counselling service saw over 1,041 people this year, working across three centres and in partnership with GPs, HPFT Talking Therapies, and funded by local authorities. we continue to see the demand increase and we are working hard to reduce waiting times.
276
Keeping in Touch Calls
This initiative ensured that those who might be vulnerable or feeling isolated received regular contact from our team. This service provides a crucial lifeline for many, offering emotional support, signposting to additional services, and maintaining a sense of community connection. These calls were particularly important for individuals unable to attend in-person sessions, helping to bridge gaps in service delivery
Key Services Delivered
Stevenage
Hertford
Hatfield
St Albans
Royston
Harpenden
At Mind in Mid Herts, our community support services are designed to help individuals overcome isolation, connect with others, and improve their mental well-being. Here are some highlights:
Befriending/Buddy Project
Our Befriending/Buddy Project offers 12 weeks of support to help individuals regain confidence and reconnect with activities they enjoyed before isolation. This impactful project is only limited by the number of volunteers coming forward to help.
Expanding Psychological Therapy
Our Psychological Therapy Service continues to grow, reaching 1,041 people last year. With the help of volunteer counsellors, we offer a wide range of therapies, including IAPT-compliant therapies, Counselling for Depression (CfD), and Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT).
Online Groups and Peer Support
We have 102 regular attendees across our online groups, which include a Friday quiz, book club, and peer support for those experiencing long Covid. These online groups provide a comfortable space for individuals to connect and support each other.
Keeping in Touch (KIT) Calls
We supported 276 individuals with our KIT calls, which are often the first step towards seeking help. These calls provide vital support for those unable to visit our centres or join community groups, some will with encouragement join our in-person services.
In-Person Groups
504 people attended our in-person groups across four centres. These groups cover activities like music, arts and crafts, peer support, games, and specific sessions for men, women, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Physical Activities
We know that staying physically active is crucial for mental health, so we offer activities like walking groups, table tennis, and football sessions. These activities help people build connections with others while staying active.
Living Well Courses
Our Living Well courses, offered both inperson and online, continue to be a highly valued part of our services. 178 individuals participated last year, learning valuable skills to support their mental health.
Mental Health Link Workers
In St Albans, our Mental Health (MH) Link Workers provided support to 160 people referred by their GPs, ensuring seamless access to the help they need.
Wellbeing Services Stats
% of People we support said that they have been supported in a way that has reduced their feelings of social isolation
% of people we supported said that they have access to the appropriate information that they
Stepping Stones Project
Through our Stepping Stones Project, we supported 140 individuals transitioning from inpatient care to the community. Our team meets with patients in Albany Lodge and Aston Ward, providing visits outside the ward and offering ongoing outreach support after discharge. This project, established in 2004, remains a cornerstone of our commitment to smooth and effective transitions from hospital to community care.
Physical Health Checks for People with Serious Mental Illness (SMI)
We supported 245 individuals with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) to receive their physical health checks last year. This service is crucial because people with SMI, on average, live 15 to 20 years less than those without such diagnoses an unfortunate statistic that has remained unchanged for decades.
Our physical health check programme began as a pilot in 2022 and is now in its fourth year. We've gained valuable insights on how to better engage individuals who previously declined annual health checks. On average, it takes around seven interactions before someone feels comfortable enough to proceed.
All our health workers are trained phlebotomists, which means they are skilled in taking blood samples while offering a reassuring, patient approach.
This helps ease the anxieties of individuals who are nervous about needles, uncertain about test outcomes, or have lost trust in healthcare professionals.
Thanks to this supportive approach, our "did not attend" rates have been cut in half since the project began, allowing us to make a more meaningful impact on the physical health of people living with SMI.
We are supporting people in the A&E department at the Lister Hospital, we talked to and supported 843 individuals, including loved ones with people who go to A&E with their mental health illness because they do not know what else to do and they do not feel safe at home.
This year, 62 individuals benefited from our Vocational Support service, achieving meaningful milestones such as finding employment, returning to education, or starting voluntary roles. In addition to these successes, our Vocational Support project plays a vital role in helping people transition back to work after a period of ill health and providing ongoing support to help them stay in their roles. By addressing challenges and building confidence, we empower individuals to thrive in their professional and personal lives.
Thank you so much, both of you, this is the calmest I have seen her in a long time, it's amazing, thank you, you have been brilliant.
Husband of patient Who attended A&E Lister
ThePHC(PhysicalHealthChecks)teamhavebeen proactivelymanagingandgenuinelyhelpingourtop10 percentofhard-toreachpatientswithSMI.Theycareand thiscomesacrossfromfeedbackfrompatientsand feedbacktoourclinicians.Theproactiveandprofessional waytheteamgaincontactandtrustmeanstheyareable tovisitthecohortandmakepositivechange.
Theygobeyondmakingafewphonecallsandsayingthey can’tmakecontact.Theykeeptryingandusuallymanagea homevisitbybuildingtrustandrapport.Theyhaveholistic consultationsandcombinementalandphysicalwellbeing aswellaslifestylesupportandmedicationreviews.They aredoingafantasticjob.
GPinStAlbans
The team have been excellent in responding and taking on a caseload from our practice and then working closely with those patients to engage them. They have had some really important breakthroughs and engaged patients that we have been unable to contact. It is a really valuable support for the GP practice, and I think it provides an excellent service for the patient too.
I have also really valued their regular updates which we have over zoom where we can discuss the hard-to-reach group and come up with a shared plan of action and how to target them.
It’s a really good example of integrated care. I would certainly support the service continuing in the future.
Many thanks to the team.”
in Hemel Hempstead
GP
Training and Development
This training was incredibly helpful, but what stood out for me in particular, was learning about how to communicate with someone dealing with poor metal health.
1000 people trained in the past year
125 Mental Health Peer Supporters (MHPS) for partner organisations
100% of learners have said that the course met their needs
100% reported an increase in knowledge and confidence after attending a training session
95% said our courses were good or excellent
178 people attended living well courses and workshops
Our approach goes beyond individual training; we provide ongoing support through monthly network and supervision meetings, ensuring peer supporters remain connected and continue to develop their skills. Additionally, they have direct access to our team for guidance when they need extra support.
Our corporate training offerings include:
Mental Health Awareness
Suicide Awareness and Prevention
Safeguarding
Early support through these programmes helps prevent the escalation of mental health issues, ultimately reducing the need for medical interventions and facilitating quicker recovery.
We are a suicide prevention campaign, helping to remove the stigma of talking openly about suicide. We provide training courses and signposts to mental health services available in Hertfordshire.
We aim to:
Increase public awareness of depression and suicide in Hertfordshire
Remove the stigma linked with suicide
Provide suicide prevention training to GPs, healthcare providers and the voluntary sector in Hertfordshire
Work with companies to create safer workplaces
Signpost to mental health services available in Hertfordshire
Our ambition of zero suicides in Hertfordshire is consistent with the national suicide prevention strategy for England. We also aim to improve support for those bereaved or affected by suicide.
Our vision is to make Hertfordshire a county where no one ever gets to a point where they feel suicide is their only option
Spot the Signs Training
Our fully funded training will increase participants’ knowledge and awareness about suicide. We will explore information about which groups of people are most at risk and why, protective factors and briefly review practical strategies for identifying and responding to signs of risk in adults.
You will be provided with some of the latest information and statistics in regards to suicide nationally and locally in Hertfordshire.
This training will:
Increase your awareness and knowledge of suicide
Introduce practical steps about how to respond to someone who may be at risk of suicide
Make you feel more confident about spotting the signs of suicide
The Spot the Signs and Save a Life is a suicide prevention campaign funded by Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board. The campaign is managed and delivered by Mind in Mid Herts in partnership with Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) and Hertfordshire Mind Network
370
Bespoketraining
595
Total number of people trained in 2023 - 2024
32 Other
193 FromPrimary CareNetwork Training
5,413
Total Trained in the last 5 years
our Digital Impact
This year, our digital presence and reach grew significantly, reflecting the expanding role of online engagement in our services and support:
9285
Total audience across our social media channels
15,120
2943 followers our content was viewed 61,319 times by 35,670 people
2285 followers our content was viewed 49,831 times by 38,135 people
1192 followers our content was viewed 25,862 times and clicked on 17,80 times
2863 followers our content was viewed 11,241 times and engaged with 324 times
74,399 page views
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Stories that inspire and celebrate resilience in our community. Mental health tips and resources to support you and your loved ones.
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Volunteering at
At Mind in Mid Herts, our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do.
Over the past year, 90 amazing volunteers, aged between 18 and 84, gave a remarkable 4,662 hours of their time – that’s equal to 666 days! This doesn’t include the work of our fantastic volunteer counsellors or our dedicated Board of Trustees. Volunteers help us stay connected with the people who rely on our support, and their efforts make a huge difference.
Our volunteers help in many ways, such as making 'Keeping in Touch' calls, being buddies or befrienders, taking photos, supporting our marketing and admin, helping with online courses, running inperson groups, and leading Living Well workshops and courses.
When someone wants to volunteer with us, they meet with our coordinator to find the role that matches their skills and interests. We are proud to hold the 6Point Promise Accreditation, which shows our commitment to supporting our volunteers every step of the way.
We also focus on keeping our volunteers safe and well. We provide regular check-ins, supervision, and personal development plans, which include training in mental health awareness and specific skills for their roles, such as befriending or making KIT calls. For one-on-one meetings, we use a secure app to track visits, ensuring everyone’s safety and giving us a way to check in if something unexpected happens.
Our Board of Trustees also plays a key role in guiding and supporting MiMH. This year, we’ve strengthened their involvement by setting up smaller teams (sub-committees) where trustees work closely with staff on important projects. We’ve also created the role of Board Advisors, which allows volunteers with specific expertise to share their knowledge and support our work.
We’re excited to welcome more Board Advisors to help us with big projects like fundraising, building partnerships, and strengthening our organisation. This is a great opportunity for people who may have limited time but want to use their skills to make a real impact. If you’d like to join our wonderful team of volunteers, we’d love to hear from you – together, we can make a difference!
Fundraising at
A
Heartfelt Thank You to Our Supporters
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to our donors and everyone who has supported Mind in Mid Herts throughout the 2023-24 financial year. Despite the widespread pressures and the increasingly difficult cost of living, your unwavering generosity has shone through, showcasing the incredible compassion and resilience within our community.
Thanks to your support, individuals have not only donated but also organised their own fundraising events, making a significant impact on our mission to provide prevention, recovery and support services in Hertfordshire to empower people to take control of their mental health. Your dedication has allowed us to continue expanding our programs and services, directly benefiting those in need. This past year, we were thrilled to host and participate in several key events:
MiMH Marathon Runners in May – A trio of dedicated MiMH staff members took on a Herts based marathon to raise funds and awareness for mental health through their inspiring efforts.
St Peter’s Fest in June – An engaging community festival that highlighted our work and connected us with supporters old and new.
Mental Elf 2023 in December – A growing annual event that brought together participants for a fun, spirited run (or walk) to support our cause.
We are also incredibly grateful for the tremendous support from corporate partners and community groups, whose commitment has been invaluable this year. Your involvement has empowered us to maintain and enhance our services, impacting countless lives in a meaningful way.
Together in Blue
As we look ahead to the 2024-25 financial year, we are eager to build on this momentum and increase our fundraising initiatives. Your continued support is essential to our mission, and we thank you once more for being an integral part of our journey.
If you would like to join us in our fundraising efforts or learn more about how you can contribute, please contact us at: fundraising@mindinmidherts.org.uk
Together, we can continue making a lasting difference.
Our Finances For 2023 - 2024
This year, Mind in Mid Herts achieved a surplus of £6,338, thanks to our growing income of £1.46 million an increase of £238,000 compared to the previous year. This growth allows us to reinvest in our services, staff, and infrastructure, ensuring we meet the increasing demand for mental health support.
Despite the end of temporary COVID-19 emergency funding, we have not only replaced those grants but also expanded further. The need for our services continues to grow, especially as many people reach out only when their mental health has severely declined, requiring more intensive one-to-one support. This increased need drives our commitment to scale up and adapt the services we offer.
In 2023, we committed to investing from our reserves to meet unmet needs, even if direct funding is lacking. This year, we used our reserves to expand our counselling services and fund a research project on optimising our new Hatfield site. We also maintain a capital building reserve to help us secure a freehold site for future service stability.
Despite financial challenges, we have ended the year on a positive note, thanks to the dedication of our staff, volunteers, funders, and partners. Their hard work and support have been instrumental in our success.
£1,455,642
Grants:SteppingStones
Grants:VocationalSupport
Expenditure
£1,456,521
Our Gratitude
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported Mind in Mid Herts over the past year. Your generosity and dedication make our work possible.
Special thanks go to: Harpenden Parish for their generous donation.
Trustee Isaac Kenyon, who became the first person to run the Welsh Three Peaks to raise funds and awareness for Mind in Mid Herts.
Everyone who supports us through the East Herts Lottery, North Herts Lottery, Welwyn Hatfield Lottery, and St Albans Lottery by buying lottery tickets.
Pauline Rhodes, who has raised funds by selling her book and stunning hand-painted greeting cards.
Gordon Dickens and The Holly Bush, Redbourn, for their ongoing support.
The Broadhall Way, for their contributions.
Emma from @LucyPeachSlice, who has supported us for the past five years, with her donations growing every year.
The Hertford Club, for their continued fundraising efforts.
All participants of Mental Elf 2023, who not only raised vital funds but also helped increase awareness of mental health issues.
Oaklands College, our main event sponsor for Mental Elf 2023, who provided their facilities for the event.
The students from Oaklands College, who generously gave their time to volunteer and marshal during the event.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to all our staff and volunteers. Your unwavering commitment and enthusiasm are the foundation of everything we achieve. Without you, we would not be able to deliver the support and services that so many rely on.
Your contributions, big or small, have made a significant difference in helping us achieve our mission. Thank you for standing with us to make mental health support accessible to everyone who needs it.
Thanks to Herts County Council Health Protection Board; Charitable Trusts: Harpenden Trust, Edward Gostling and Etauliers Charitable Trust for grants to deliver services.
We remain grateful to Hertfordshire County Council and the Mental Health Integrated Health and Care Commissioning team for Adult Care Services for continuing to commission us to deliver Wellbeing Services, Counselling, Vocational Support, MH link workers in primary care in St Albans, Stepping Stones, A&E Mental Health Link workers, Physical Health checks for people with serious mental illness in partnership with Central London Community NHS Trust (CLCH).
Hertfordshire West Essex Integrated Care Board, who have through East of England NHS supported capital grants, developed our infrastructure which facilitated the opening of Alon's Wellbeing Centre and deliver the new Crisis Café.
We appreciate and benefit greatly by collaborating and working with our nearest local Minds Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) Mind whom we have a partnership with training all our staff; Herts Mind Network whom we collaborate and joint deliver projects and West Essex Mind who are part of the Voluntary Community Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) Alliance and support the development of services across the Herts and West Essex ICS
