Friends of Kelly

Most organisations asking for money, leave it right to the last sentence but in our case, we're going to ask you upfront, if you would consider a regular donation of £6 calendar month to "The Friends of Kelly". Now, I know this is the price of a pint of decent beer plus a little, a pricey glass of wine or 1.5 Costa lattes, and I know many of you donate to other charities. We also realise this all adds up and we're very conscious that all budgets are under pressure right now but if you have a second or two, I'd like to explain how crucial this service is.

Despite a lot of government PR about the money going into mental health services, it doesn't reach us at the grass roots. We get no statutory help whatsoever, although paradoxically we do get a reasonable number of referrals from the NHS in different forms. All of the money we need to run our services, we have to earn through small grants, fundraising events or rely on the generosity of local people who feel as we do, that much more should be done to properly support those in despair.

If you do feel able to become a "Friend of Kelly", it need not be entirely altruistic as we are endeavouring to offer a modest package of benefits to those who support us. These will include:

• Priority reserve seating at all our charity events.
• Copy of our Annual report and accounts.
• Regular periodic newsletters updating you on the charities progress.
• A 50% discount on food and drink in 'Kells Kitchen' on your birthday (+cake)
• Priority waiting list support for your own mental health should you need it
• A monthly draw for £250, when "The Friends" exceed 500 persons.
• Support and advocacy in all areas where the charity has expertise or contacts.

We will add to the above list, whenever we can find worthwhile and relevant additions to the benefit package!

The direct debit instructions which you can fill out online or on paper will be managed by the Charity Aid Foundation (CAF). The £6 will be taken each month directly from your bank, but you can cease this at any time by either writing to us at info@4kelly.org or to the Charities Aid Foundation or of course to your bank, who will cease this direct debit on instructions from you, immediately.

Just out of interest, I checked recently to see how long it would take to see a mental health nurse at my local general practice and I was told the wait time is seven weeks and even after that there is no guarantee of treatment beyond antidepressants. We believe Second Step have long waiting list and a limit on sessions, we know that Talking Therapies have waits up to 12 months and PCLS, who manage health service referrals locally, are inundated with clients looking for help. The crisis service can see people quickly and if you visit Great Western Hospital, you are may well be discharged the next day, and most probably this will be without a coordinated and established support plan. Suicide, especially male suicide, is above the national average and slowly increasing year on year, and this is an area where we as a charity, are desperate to invest in.

We really do hope you will feel able to help us embed The Kelly Foundation Charity as a permanent feature in the Swindon Community Mental Health landscape. We already cover our basic cost of operation from certain key donors and from fundraising concerts and selective grants … so as a "Friend of Kelly", your own giving will be allocated specifically to providing open-ended support to individuals in despair, who feel they have nowhere else to turn.

If you'd like to visit us any time, see what we do, and learn more about and talk about our future plans, we will be delighted to welcome you to Pinetrees, show you around our facilities and invite you to an astonishingly good latte in the cafe (and something to go with it, if you're feeling a little peckish!)

John Stooke (Chair)