This year, the Rotary Club of Salcombe donated £2,500 to the mental health charity Devon Mind, as a result of the money raised at Salcombe Crabfest 2023. To delve into the heart of Devon Mind’s mission, evolution, and the impactful ways this contribution will be utilised, we spoke to their Marketing and Fundraising Manager, Andre Sexton. Here’s an exclusive Q&A session shedding light on the crucial aspects of Devon Mind’s work and journey so far.

Can you share the initial goals and vision that shaped Devon Mind’s mission?

“Devon Mind has been in existence, in one form or another, for nearly 40 years. Naturally, the vision and goals have evolved over time. However, the ultimate mission of the charity is to support people across Devon who are in need of help with their mental health—whether that’s through direct support services, sharing information and advice, or linking them up with other organisations and groups that might be able to help. We also work to raise awareness of mental health, engaging with campaigners and partners—such as Salcombe Crabfest—to spread the word and reduce stigma about the subject.”

How has Devon Mind evolved since it first began, adapting to the changing landscape of mental health awareness and support?

“Well, although I wasn’t around when the charity first launched in the ’80s, the perception of and response to mental health and mental illness in the UK have changed massively in the decades since. So naturally, Devon Mind has grown and shifted alongside this. The way we talk about mental health, the types of services we offer, and the way we engage with the wider community—they’ve all changed hugely and dramatically in that time. Most recently, over the last few years, I’d say we’ve become much more brave and bold—we’re not afraid to shout about mental health and call on people to take action where they can.”

Are there specific milestones or achievements that stand out in the organisation’s journey so far?

“I’ve been with the organisation since mid-2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic. I would say our response to that crisis was indeed an achievement of which we are very proud. The pandemic put many charities at risk, but the team at Devon Mind worked with amazing flexibility and inventiveness to navigate those tough times and actually flourish in the aftermath—all while supporting thousands of people who were struggling even more than they might normally be with their mental health. Every year since, we’ve been helping more people, and that’s the ultimate goal. Over the past couple of years, another one of our most significant achievements has been our role as a founding member of the Devon Mental Health Alliance. This is a partnership of six VCSE organisations in Devon delivering support to people with serious mental illness across the county.”

Could you share with our readers how the £2,500 donation from Salcombe Crabfest will support Devon Mind’s initiatives?

“Donations from events like Salcombe Crabfest are crucial for a small charity like ours. They provide funds that we can allocate to any aspect of our work, depending on current needs, rather than being tied to a specific project. The £2,500 donation is a fantastic amount for us, enabling us to assist a significant number of individuals in need of support. To provide a rough estimate, running a half-day workshop for around 12 people costs approximately £100. Using the donation for such workshops, we could engage up to 300 people, helping them take that crucial first step towards better mental health with the support of our team.”

In the context of mental health challenges, what are some of the key issues that Devon Mind is actively addressing in the community? How does the organisation approach developing solutions to these challenges?

“Fundamentally, the most significant challenge lies in ensuring that individuals in need of mental health support can access it promptly. Unfortunately, too many people are still falling through gaps in services. Devon Mind, especially as part of the Devon Mental Health Alliance, is working diligently to tackle inequalities in access to mental health services across Devon.”

How can individuals or organisations interested in supporting mental health initiatives get involved with Devon Mind’s work?

“At its core, Devon Mind is a small charity. Although we’re affiliated with the national Mind organisation, like every local Mind, we are completely independent. This means we’re responsible for our own funding, our own service delivery, and our own awareness-raising efforts. Donors, fundraisers, volunteers, corporate partners – anyone in any area of Devon who wants to support our mission – are all so important to our continued success. I’d encourage anyone who thinks they might like to get involved to check out our website, under the ‘Support Us’ and ‘Get Involved’ sections, to see how they might want to help. We have more opportunities coming up all the time.”

If you’d like to hear more about other charities Salcombe Crabfest supported in 2023, read our Q&A blogs with Devon Air Ambulance and Chill South Devon.