Help Minds Like Ours become a registered charity

Did you know that the charity commission in England requires non-profit organisations to have raised a total of £5,000 before applying to become a charity? Well, they do! And that's exactly why Minds Like Ours have started this fundraiser.

We've got our governing documents ready, our volunteers raring to go and big plans for the future; now all we need is to reach that incredible fundraising goal and then we're there. We are asking for your help to get us to charity status, so that we can continue our amazing growth and help more people in need.

 

To say a big thank you, we have set up rewards for those who do donate and help us reach charity status. These will be sent out as soon as you make your pledge and we hope you like them!

£5 - A Minds Like Ours Wristband

£10 - Pack of 5 25mm badges & a wristband 

£15 Minds Like Ours Lanyard & a wristband

 

£20 Premium T-Shirt of your choice* & a wristband

£30 Minds Like Ours Hoodie of your choice* & a wristband

 

£40 Early Bird Supporter Pack - ONLY 10 AVAILABLE

Badges, lanyard, t-shirt and wristband

£40 Early Bird Cuddly Supporter Pack - ONLY 10 AVAILABLE

Teddy Bear, T-shirt and wristband

 

£50 Supporter Pack

Badges, lanyard, t-shirt and wristband

 

£50 Cuddly Supporter Pack

Teddy Bear, T-shirt and wristband

 

£80 Early Bird Hero Pack - ONLY 5 AVAILABLE

Badges, lanyard, t-shirt, hoodie, teddy bear, wristband AND your name/company name on our supporters page on the website.

£100 Hero Pack - ONLY 10 AVAILABLE 

Badges, lanyard, t-shirt, hoodie, teddy bear, wristband AND your name/company name on our supporters page on the website.

 

*For all clothing items please refer to the Spreadshirt page here to pick your colour, design and size.

About Minds Like Ours

Minds Like Ours was started in July 2013, by a couple of people who were looking for something a little bit different. They wanted a mental health community that was run by people with mental health disorders, those with first hand experience. Within a month MiLO (as it is affectionately known) was granted non-profit status. And within just 4 months they have managed to help over 200 full time members, with thousands of people visiting the website and forum every week.

Minds Like Ours provides mental health support by those with mental health disorders. Our peer to peer community gives people an open space to talk about their thoughts, feelings and even fears, without the fear of being judged. With a forum and private Facebook groups, everyone can be as open and as honest as they wish.

That's not all MiLO has set out to do though. We wish to change the way mental health is seen on a grander scale. We fight on a daily basis to raise awareness of mental health issues, share our stories to educate the public and also to eradicate stigma. Using our blog, YouTube channel and social media, we raise awareness on an international level. Read more about MiLO on our website.

 

Who have we helped so far?

 

To give you an example of what we have done so far, in just 4 months, here are some of the incredible things members have said about us:

"Minds like ours has really changed my life sometimes i dont want to phone crisis team or samaritans but I know if i speak to someone from milo thay will help me . No thay aren't professionals in mental health but they know how i'm feeling they inderstand and 90% of the time just for someone to say i understand i feel your pain helps alot more than i ever thought . Just one conversation is enough to pull me through sometimes." Kayleigh

"The sense of identification I get from just talking to someone who understands makes me feel a lot less alone. The mental health community on YouTube has been the main place I use, but just watching and commenting on videos didn’t feel like enough and so when MiLO came along it was perfect! It allows me to be much more involved and to support others as well as seek support for myself. It is important to me because I hate to think of someone going through what I went through without any support and I want others to know that things improve and it won’t hurt forever." Louise

"Minds Like Ours provides an infinite amount of support for those dealing with or know someone who is mental health issues and is a major part of campaigning in breaking down mental health stigma! By utilising the use of social media, including running a blog, YouTube channel, website and forum, Minds Like Ours has managed to reach hundreds of people who otherwise may not receive support or know where to turn. Run by those affected by mental health, for those affected by mental health. Sharing stories and stamping out stigma together." Lucy

"Because this community changes my life every single day. Without them I wouldn't be anywhere near as advanced in my recovery" Mia

"Minds Like Ours has grown hugely over the past few months. It has helped me personally but I know what a difference this group has made to so many people." Kimberley

Many of these quotes have been taken from our nominations page on We Go Health, where we have been nominated for several Health Activist Awards including Best in Show: Community/Forum. Read more here.

 

What are we going to do next?

So what is the point in us becoming a charity? What are our plans for the future? Well, we have a lot of very big plans and we can't really do them without backing from the charities commission. Here are some of the ideas we have for the future:

• Creating safe spaces throughout the UK. These will be places where people can go, even if just for a night, to keep them safe. Sometimes those struggling with their mental health just need somewhere to escape for just a night.
• The MiLO library. There are so many great self help books out there, that not everyone can get on prescription. Our free library service will give people access to books that can really help their lives.
• Our own merchandise. Currently we use Spreadshirt to sell merchandise, but we would love to do this on a grander scale. So many of our members are creative and we would love to share those creations on calendars and our very own merchandise.
• Our own support system. One day we would love to be able to run our own professional support system. This would be via the telephone as well as via a live chat and/or e-mail service. Of course we would need to pay the professionals to do this, another reason for becoming a charity.
• School and workplace training. We really want to be able to spread awareness through some of the most difficult areas of the UK; normally schools and workplaces. By getting rid of stigma in these areas, it should be easier for people to talk about their own mental health.
• Our big events. We've got lots of them coming up! So far we have had one tea party in London, but we'd love to be able to do more throughout next year. We've also got a 24 hour football match coming up in March/April 2014 and plenty more planned. The money raised will help us to organise and run these amazing events.

 

Thank you...

We know that not everyone has the funds to be able to donate large sums of money, but anything you can do to help is amazing. A huge thank you to those who have already donated, purchased something from our shop, tweeted about us, joined one of our events and to those who help keep our forum active. We couldn't do any of this without you!