CEO, Sally Arscott was proud to share Solent Mind’s goals for the next three years at a strategy launch event at our glorious Mayfield Garden Centre and Café in Southampton last week.

Talking to more than 50 guests from across the region, Sally said: “This strategy is a culmination of 18 months of engagement and conversation. We’ve reached out to all our stakeholders, to our partners, funders, service users, volunteers and staff, to ensure that we create a truly shared view of our aspirations for the future.”

Reaching High, Reaching Far: Growing Together, is the name of our new strategy, and Sally said it really captures Solent Mind’s goals for the years ahead.

She added: “We want to reach high in terms of the number of people we support and in terms of the impact we have. We want to reach far into our communities and be proactive in how we get in touch with people who need our help. And we want to grow – grow in strength and resilience so we can weather any storms that come our way. And we’ll do this together.

“I’m delighted to be here to share this new strategy with all our wonderful supporters today. Together, we can continue to support mental health across our region.”

Attendees heard from Sally after enjoying refreshments in Mayfield’s Sunflower Cafe. Visiting speakers, Scott Munro, Peer Support Team Lead - NHS Talking Therapies, and Dr Emily Walmsley, Consultant in Public Health, Southampton City Council, both powerfully spoke about their support for the strategy, sharing their personal stories of our mental health support.

Scott said: “I joined Solent Mind’s peer support team after I received help during my own mental health struggles. Without peer support, I wouldn’t be here today and I’m truly grateful. I wanted to help others who are struggling and now talk to people who are on a waiting list for therapy. Therapy can be daunting for many, and my job is to guide people through the process and be a listening ear. I’ve been given purpose in life, and I am extremely proud to be working for Solent Mind as it launches this brand-new strategy.”

Dr Walmsley spoke about how the charity’s strategy launch coincides with Southampton City Council launching a city-wide mental health strategy.

She said: “We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Solent Mind to ensure people in the region can have good mental health and wellbeing, whatever their background and circumstances.

“It’s been fantastic to hear the charity’s plans for the next three years and it’s been a real pleasure to be a part of this wonderful event today.”