October 2020
Local businesses Story Homes and Story Contracting have joined forces to raise more than £28,000 for mental health charity Mind.
Over the past two years, the two Carlisle-headquartered companies selected Mind as their charity partner, with all staff and business fundraising going to this worthwhile organisation. Staff across the two businesses carried out various fundraising activities to raise money for the charity – from sporting challenges and bake sales, to raffles and pub quizzes.
Following the sizable monetary donation, the businesses – which were both founded by Fred Story – are delighted to announce that they will extend their charity partnership with Mind, dedicating colleague and company fundraising to the mental health organisation.
Mind provides advice and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem, and the funds raised by Homes and Contracting will be divided between the local Mind branches in each of the companies’ operational regions – including Carlisle, Newcastle, Lancashire, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and Scotland.
Fred Story, founder of both businesses, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Mind. Working within construction, we understand the importance of improving mental health and we are dedicated to ensuring that nobody suffers in silence. There can be a certain stigma associated with mental health and wellbeing, especially in young men, but it is a subject that we need to continue to talk about and ensure that we have the right support networks in place across our two businesses.”
The £28,000 donation is in addition to the renovation work to Carlisle Eden Mind’s Lighthouse carried out by the two companies in 2018. Subcontractors for both businesses offered their materials, labour and time to help renovate The Lighthouse and a number of Story staff also donated their time to help with the refurbishments. The overall investment in the project equated to almost £30,000.
Tara Quinn, CEO of Carlisle Eden Mind, said: “Once again, Carlisle Eden Mind are excited to have the support of Story Homes and Story Contracting particularly in a time of great uncertainty. We would like to thank both organisations for their much-needed contributions and every penny, as always, will go towards those we are here to help and support.”
These are just a few of the worrying statistics about mental health within the construction industry:
