 A message from Markus, our CEO
As we welcome a new year at Mind in Salford, I want to take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and what we’ve achieved together. Having been part of this organisation for eighteen years now, it’s incredible to see the journey from a small, part-time operation to a thriving charity with over 55 staff, delivering a wide range of vital services across our community. That growth hasn’t happened by chance – it’s been shaped by our willingness to adapt, to become more business-savvy, and to prove that we can deliver high-quality, innovative mental health support in a changing and challenging landscape.
Over the years, demand for our services has grown significantly, particularly through the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis. In response, we’ve focused on doing things differently – moving beyond traditional models and creating services that offer hope, empowerment and real opportunities for people to live fulfilling lives alongside their mental health challenges. From advocacy and welfare rights to innovative projects like Rainbow Mind and Money and Me, our work is rooted in lived experience and shaped by the real issues people face every day.
To our staff, volunteers, trustees, fundraisers, and community, who all play a vital role in making Mind in Salford what it is, thank you. Hearing feedback that confirms our values and impact is a powerful reminder that what we do truly matters – and that together, we are making a genuine difference in people’s lives.
Looking back: A Year of Incredible Impact
Welfare Rights and Debt Advice: Supporting clients through financial challenges and boosting mental health
The Welfare Rights and Debt Advice team helped clients achieve life-changing financial outcomes in 2025. Debts totalling over £190,000 have been wiped out, including through insolvency, and we’ve secured an additional £60,743 per month in benefits income for people who need it most.
We also supported individual successes, including securing a £13,287 lump-sum payment for a missing premium, winning a benefits appeal that resulted in £10,300 backdated support, and helping a client clear £5,980 of fuel debt through a trust fund. 2025 an incredibly impactful year, and we’re proud of the difference this service continues to make.
 In 2025, we welcomed Rachel and Zeta, our Money & Menavigators who have taken the project from strength to strength. They have been actively embedded in the community, working with a local food club, running group sessions, attending events, and even making a guest appearance on The Bread and Butter Thing podcast to explore the link between mental health and money. Feedback from people using the service has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the real difference this support is making.
Listen to their podcast episode
Advocates in Action: Empowering Voices, Securing Rights, and Making a Difference
Secure Advocacy
The Secure Advocacy Team continues to provide vital support to people in secure settings, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights upheld. Through Individual Independent Mental Health Advocacy casework, attendance at key clinical meetings, and the escalation of concerns to Trust management and senior leadership teams, advocates have worked tirelessly to represent clients’ views, wishes and experiences at every level of decision-making.
We were delighted to welcome Clor to the team in November, who has made an excellent start supporting patients within secure Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and the Medium Secure Women’s Service.
Across the service, advocates continue to build strong, trusting relationships with clients, who consistently tell us how valued and empowering this support is.
Salford Advocacy
Throughout 2025, the Salford Advocacy Hub remained exceptionally busy, supporting 2,089 people through both statutory and non-statutory advocacy. With unwavering commitment to upholding the rights, wishes and voices of those we support, the hub continues to drive outstanding outcomes for individuals across Salford.
Our experienced advocacy team takes a person-centred approach in every setting, whether supporting individuals through formal statutory processes or working more flexibly within the community. This approach continues to build trust with the people we support, as well as with partners and local authorities, and is reflected in consistently positive feedback.
We are pleased to share that the service has once again met and exceeded all key performance indicators under the Salford Advocacy Contract, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted, high-performing advocacy provider committed to ensuring every voice is heard.
 Rainbow Mind: A space to feel safe, supported, and fee to be our full queer selves
Rainbow Mind continued to grow and develop last year, strengthening both it’s team and reach. We have welcomed Rebecca as Delivery and Development Coordinator, alongside new sessional therapists Smruthi and Tessi, with Kalisha joining as a volunteer therapist. In it’s first year, the Rainbow Mind 1:1 therapy service has supported 52 clients, and the project is progressing well as it moves into it’s second year, with ongoing development of our therapeutic model.
Alongside service delivery, we have continued to raise awareness through a range of community outreach activities. This included events at Queer Lit and Social Refuge such as the Queer Film Festival and Comedy Night, attendance at local Pride events across Greater Manchester, and the Rainbow Mind Podcast, which has featured guests including Ali Bromley and Cheddar Gorgeous.
Listen to the Rainbow Mind podcast
With a growing team, expanding reach and a lot of creative energy, Rainbow Mind is coming into it’s second year with real momentum. We can’t wait to see where the next chapter takes us.
Want to hear more about what Rainbow Mind are up to? Subscribe to the newsletter to keep updated. Sign up!
Peer Support: Using empathy and experience to support others
Last year, the Peer Support Service continued to go from strength to strength, playing a vital role in the Living Well Salford community mental health service: a strengths-based, collaborative programme designed to support people whose mental health needs sit between primary care and specialist services. Living Well focuses on people’s skills, aspirations and lived experience to help them stay well and connected within their community, with contributions from a range of professionals and peer support workers to deliver practical and emotional support.
Our Peer Support Workers, who have lived experience themselves, worked fantastically last year, building trusting relationships with service users, offering empathy, guidance and encouragement that complements clinical and recovery support. By sharing their own insights and practical strategies, peers help people set goals, build confidence and navigate challenges in ways that feel empowering and meaningful.
Empowering Minds, Protecting Our Local Community
Through the delivery of our Mental Health Courses, we trained 368 new Mental Health Champions across Salford in 2025.
Fundraising Heroes
From Salford Journalism students conquering a 24 hour broadcast, to football tournaments, and pride-themed workouts, the creative fundraising efforts have been nothing short of inspiring. Add to that skydiving, marathon and 28 mile runners, and corporate donations it’s clear that this support has played a vital role in helping us continue our amazing work. Thank you!
Want to discuss ways to support us in 2026? We’d love to hear from you via fundraising@mindinsalford.org.uk
A Collaboration Celebration
Last year, we partnered again with the wonderful team at Keolis Amey Metrolink (KAM) for Time to Talk Day.
We set up information stands at the Salford Quays tram stop for the morning to catch the commuters and early birds and encourage open conversations about mental health and reducing the stigma around it.
Our next stop was Media City, where we set up for the afternoon, offering a chance for those on their lunch break or daily walk to check-in with their mental health and get comfortable with the idea of seeking support.
Thank you to the KAM team!
Keep an eye on our socials for Time to Talk Day 2026 on Thursday 5th February.
Shoutout to The Curve!
A big thank you to GMMH (Greater Manchester Mental Health) Chaplaincy for organising the wonderful carol service at The Curve, Prestwich site. We’re really pleased to share that the proceeds from the café will be split between us and Manchester Mind – we’re incredibly grateful for the support and already looking forward to this year’s service.
Start the New Year by Clearing Out your Closet
Here’s how sorting through your old clothes could help:
The boxdrop point is located in the main Mind in Salford hallway at the Angel Centre.
Get involved!
Media City Half Marathon
Charity spaces are now available for the Media City Half Marathon. Join #TeamMindinSalford and run for better mental health in February. Sign up!
Date: Sunday 15th February 2026
Time: 9am
Location: Media City, Salford – Piazza Stan Ogden, Salford M50 2EQ, UK
Entry Price: £10 + Booking Fee
Minimum Sponsorship: £250
Minimum Age: 17 years
Co-op Local Community Fund
The Co-op Local Community Fund is a project that supports causes in local communities providing access to opportunities and resources for people to thrive.
With your vote we will be able to provide funded training for more members of the Salford Community to become Mental Health First Aid Champions. If you’re already a Co-op member, please vote for us or you can become a member for just £1!
Vote for us
The Big Mental Health Report
The Big Mental Health Report is for anyone looking for trusted information on how mental health problems affect people in England and Wales. With support from Centre for Mental Health, Mind has brought together data about mental health problems, stigma and discrimination, alongside real people’s experiences, into one annual report, to give a full picture of the state of mental health right now.
2025 saw the second annual Big Mental Health Report, with a third to follow in 2026. If you’re 16 years or older and have personal experience of mental health problems and support services in the last 6 months, you’ll be eligible to complete the survey and help build an accurate picture of Mental Health support in England and Wales.
Keep an eye on our socials, where we’ll be sharing links to the survey.
Read the 2025 report
Support Mind in Salford at the iconic TCS London Marathon 2027
The London Marathon is one of the world’s most prestigious and exhilarating marathon events, attracting elite athletes and enthusiastic runners from around the globe. In 2024, a total of 53,840 participants crossed the finish line in this iconic race.
You have the opportunity to take on the 42.195-kilometer course that winds through London’s most iconic landmarks, whilst supporting our vital mental health services across Salford.
Date: TBC – April 2027
Time: 9am
Location: London
Entry Price: FREE
Minimum Sponsorship: £2,500
Minimum Age: 18 years
Contact: fundraising@mindinsalford.org.uk for support
Boost Workplace Wellbeing with Mind in Salford’s Training
At Mind in Salford, we offer expert-led mental health and wellbeing training to help organisations build healthier, more resilient teams.
Why Choose Our Training?
Mental health in the workplace is crucial for success. Research shows that:
1 in 6 employees experience mental health issues each year.
Organisations that prioritise mental health see improved productivity and reduced absenteeism, with a £5 return for every £1 invested.
Our Training Supports Your Organisation By:
Raising Awareness: Understanding mental health challenges in your workforce.
Promoting Wellbeing: Creating a culture where mental health is a priority.
Building Resilience: Equipping teams to manage stress and challenges effectively.
Why Mind in Salford?
Evidence-based and interactive sessions, led by experienced professionals.
Practical tools and strategies for immediate application.
Investing in mental health training improves your team’s wellbeing, productivity, and overall success.
Email training@mindinsalford.org.uk to book a session and create a stronger, healthier workplace.
Learn more
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