Mind's Big Brunch FAQs

Registrations are now open! Fill in this form to take part.

Mind won't be hosting the Big Brunch in a physical location. Instead, we’re asking supporters to host their own Big Brunch during October in the comfort of their own home with family and friends or in their local community. 

We have a range of resources available online via the Big Brunch Resource Hub, we’ll also send these out via email. Including:

1. Welcome letter with tips and ideas for your fundraising.
2. Impact leaflet to share with guests and let them know how their donations make life better for people with mental health problems.
3. Big Brunch poster to display on the day.
4. Big Brunch invitations to share with guests.
5. Links to order physical branded items, including Mind bunting, collection boxes and more!

It's up to you! Get your chef's hat on and prep a classic brunch such as avocado and eggs or keep things simple with a cold finger buffet. If prepping food for a lot of people isn’t your thing, ask friends to bring their favourite dish to share. The choice is yours. Just make sure to ask about dietary requirements.  

• Members of the public are not subject to the food standards regulations or the UK Food Information Amendment, also known as Natasha's law (even if products were to be wrapped in cling film etc).
• Where an organisation is "hosting" the Big Brunch and inviting the public to donate goods, again they would not be subject to this regulation.
• If an organisation is a registered food business and supplies their own products, they would be subject to the regulation.

It is considered best practice to list allergens where possible, but as above not a legal requirement for the public.

For more information please visit the Food Standards Agency (FSA) website.

A meal with friends and family can be a great way to connect, socialise and create memories. Connecting with others can help us have a greater sense of belonging and reduce feelings of loneliness. But we know there are lots of people who struggle with their relationship with food and a brunch might trigger some difficult feelings.

We have lots of information about eating problems on our website. Explore our information to find out more, including possible causes and treatments, and ways to take care of yourself.   

Choose a menu and time suits that you best. This could be a classic brunch with pancakes at 11am, a lunchtime buffet or coffee and cake in the afternoon. The important thing is creating memories with family and friends while raising money to make life better for people with mental health problems.  

We know how hard the cost-of-living crisis is for everyone. Not everyone is able to host a Big Brunch and that's not a problem. Only do as much as you can.

If you feel able to, please keep supporting - it’s never been more important. It will help us as we do even more to support people with mental health problems.

Why not team up with some foodie friends and share the load? You could even ask guests to bring a dish or bake some treats to share.  

That's ok, there are lots of places you could host. Why not check out a local community café or hall and ask if you could host your brunch there? Or you could bring your colleagues together for some team bonding by hosting your brunch at work.  

Mental Health Awareness Week will take place from the 11th-17th of May. You can choose to host your Brunch close to this date or before, whenever suits you!

Your fundraising page will be created for you when you register and sent to you via email. Make sure to follow the link in the email to activate your fundraising page, you’ll either have to login or create an account with JustGiving to view your page, but the email from us will tell you more.

We’d recommend personalising your page by adding a picture and a story telling everyone why mental health means so much to you. Adding a story means you could raise 65% more!

There are lots of different ways to raise money at your Big Brunch and we’re here to support you. We’ll be in touch with support emails, but if you follow these simple steps, you can’t go wrong.

1. Register, choose the date of your Brunch and follow the steps to create your fundraising page. 
2. Promote your event on social media and using invitations and other resources we share.
3. Share your fundraising page to collect donations ahead of the event, or to collect contributions from anyone who can’t attend.
4. On the day you could organise a raffle, plan a quiz or play some games.
5. Enjoy your Brunch and feel great having raised money for Mind and connected with your community.

If you have any questions or need any support with your fundraising, we’re on hand to help. Just drop us an email at [email protected]. 

We can’t accept cash in the post but there are a few different options for paying in cash or cheque:  

Pay the sum to your fundraising page. If you choose this option and you're a UK taxpayer, make sure you untick the Gift Aid box. Gift Aid can only be claimed when a person is making their own donation, not on behalf of someone else or a group.   

Call our Supporter Relations team on 020 8215 2243 from 9-5pm, Monday to Friday, to make a card payment. Please note that we don't accept AMEX. 

Send us a cheque, payable to Mind. Include a note to tell us your name and contact details, and that you took part in Mind’s Big Brunch. Post your cheque to:  

Freepost RTUG-HBJJ-RZLT
Mind Community and Events team
2 Redman Place
London
E20 1LQ 

You can find other ways to pay in your fundraising here. 

Mind is there to make sure everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect they deserve. We make sure we spend the money you raise where it's most needed. This might be supporting minds by offering vital support and information through our Infoline and online information or changing minds by campaigning to make mental health a priority across England and Wales.

£10 could help our Infoline advisors pick up the phone to someone with nowhere else to turn.

Find out more about where our money goes here.

There is a small processing fee when using fundraising platforms like JustGiving. The fee will depend on your payment method. You can read more about JustGiving’s payment processing fee here. Using platforms like JustGiving allows us to offer a trusted method for everyone to fundraise and collect Gift Aid where applicable.

Head over to our do your own thing page if you’ve got your own fundraising idea, or perhaps check out what events we have on offer.

We’re here to support you every step of the way with your Big Brunch.

If your question has not been answered, please drop us an email at [email protected]. Please bear in mind that it may take us up to 5 working days to respond.