Company keeps charities in Mind

Friday 29 January 2021

Almost £12,000 has been raised by Specsavers’ support office as part of a partnership with two Guernsey charities.

Guernsey Mind and The Youth Commission were chosen Specsavers' Community Sports and Social Club’s nominated charities in March last year.

During that time, colleagues at La Villiaze have held several fundraising inaitiaves to raise a total of £11,681.41, including raffles, bake off competitions and sunglasses auctions. 

Mind’s Executive Director, Emily Litten, said support from Specsavers has been put to good use.

"Not only have we benefited from significant fundraising, the active support of staff has meant that we have been able to run several events with the help of volunteers, upgrade the Lions Mind Centre and work towards a Client Relationship Management System. 

"The funds received have been used to completely refurbish the Mind Centre and launch the Guernsey Mind Therapy Service, offering Art Psychotherapy, Counselling, Equine Assisted Learning, Reiki, Meditation, Mindfulness, Coaching and Yoga Therapy with professional, qualified and registered local practitioners. This service will continue to develop and expand in 2021."

Pictured: Youth Commission CEO Charlie Cox. 

The Youth Commission delivers high quality, universal targeted services to children and young people in order to support the development of their social, physical and emotional wellbeing.

Youth Commission CEO, Charlie Cox, said: "We are incredibly grateful for the support that Specsavers has provided us with, both financially and through staff volunteering hours. This support is vital to ensure that we can keep providing a range of services and to help support our vision of making the Baliwick a place where all children and young people are ambitious to reach their full potential."

Chair of Specsavers' Community Sports and Social Club, Grant Dowinton, said it had been a team effort.

"Both these charities do fantastic work to help support local people both physically and mentally," he said. 

The Social Club has decided to continue the partnership for a further year, in light of the difficulties faced by local charities due to the pandemic.