How local Mind associations are funded

There are over 200 local Mind associations across England and Wales working to improve the life of people with mental health problems.

Each local Mind association is an independently constituted charity run by local people, for local people. Each is responsible for its own funding and the services it provides.

Local Mind associations affiliate to Mind on the basis of a membership agreement which requires them to work in accordance with Mind's mission and sets out how they will be required to meet minimum standards of governance and service delivery.

Involvement in the work of a local Mind association in their area (e.g. as trustees, staff, volunteers, fundraisers) is the main way that individuals become involved in the work of Mind. Local associations are dependent on local support and so welcome offers of assistance. Central to the values of local associations is particularly welcoming the involvement of people who themselves have had experience of mental health problems.

Local associations respond to issues within their communities in a range of ways, including:

• providing services (such as employment projects, information services and helplines, advocacy, resource centres, supported housing schemes, rural outreach work, befriending and community support services)
• involvement in the planning of local mental health services
• local campaigning on mental health related issues, linking with Mind’s national campaign work
• activity aimed to raise awareness of, and change attitudes towards, mental health issues.

Mind, through its local Mind association support team, and Mind Cymru works closely with local associations and offers them a range of support and advice.