MFT celebrates its 25th year

Leading Surrey charity Mary Frances Trust is celebrating its 25th anniversary of supporting Surrey residents with their mental health and emotional wellbeing. The charity, which was set up in 1994 as a new resource after local mental health services closed down, currently supports 1,600 adults in Surrey, with an average of 83% successful interventions, where people either maintained or improved their mental wellbeing.

Patrick Wolter, CEO, Mary Frances Trust says:

“With one in four people experiencing some kind of mental health issue in the course of a year, it is crucial to have mental health support readily available to the public, free of charge, regardless of people having received a formal diagnosis or not. This is what Mary Frances Trust has offered Surrey residents over the past 25 years.”

25th ANNIVERSARY EVENT AND ACTIVITIES

The charity will host its official 25th anniversary event on Saturday 21st September at Denbies, Dorking, to celebrate the amazing support the organisation has brought to the local community over the years. It will be attended by over 200 people including Councillor Mrs. Mary Sheldon, Mayor of Hersham, and County Councillor for Epsom West Mrs. Bernie Muir – who is a Patron of the charity. The day will kick off with the charity’s Annual General Meeting, followed by speeches celebrating its history.

Attendees will then be able to take part in a series of taster sessions for wellbeing activities commonly offered by the charity such as arts and crafts, walking football, Ki-Gong and mindfulness meditation. An art exhibition displaying the work produced by the charity’s various art groups and a history exhibition retracing its legacy over the past 25 years is also on offer.

Patrick Wolter, CEO, Mary Frances Trust says:

“For a quarter of a century, Mary Frances Trust has been a key mental health resource in the community of Surrey. When Mary and Frances founded the Trust, mental health was still very taboo and misunderstood, and people were marginalised from society. Over the years, our organisation has played a pivotal role in changing the way people perceive mental health, giving them a sense of hope and belonging. It’s a legacy we’re very proud of.”

As part of its anniversary year, Mary Frances Trust, is running multiple events and activities in Surrey, including an Art Exhibition at the Leatherhead Theatre from 12th September until 25th September, displaying artwork from the charity’s clients and showcasing the link between creativity and wellbeing.

The organisation is working on a history booklet retracing the history of Mary Frances Trust and hopes to publish it in 2020.

ABOUT MARY FRANCES TRUST

Journalist and Carer Mary Edwards and Senior Social Worker Frances Jones founded the Mary Frances Trust in 1994. It was first created as a new resource in the Leatherhead area to support local people who used mental health services to enable them to achieve their own particular aspirations and goals. Twenty-five years on, the organisation has grown a lot and now offers free, first-class mental health and emotional wellbeing support for adults in Banstead, Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell and Mole Valley.

NOTES TO EDITORS
Mary Frances Trust is a leading local charity that supports adults living in Surrey to improve their mental health and emotional wellbeing through a variety of services, from one-to-one support, advice and information, crisis support, physical activities, wellbeing courses, interest groups, peer support groups and social activities.

In 2013, the charity became one of Community Connections Surrey’s Mental Health Lead Providers, working alongside Catalyst and Richmond Fellowship to offer seamless, first-class and free mental health support throughout Surrey.

Interview opportunities available with:

– Patrick Wolter, CEO, Mary Frances Trust

MEDIA CONTACT

Connie Ridout, Communications Officer, Mary Frances Trust

Tel: 01372 375 400 – ext. 115

Mobile: 07365 265 751

Email: connie@maryfrancestrust.org.uk

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