AN ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE based mental health charity is celebrating after being awarded a ‘transformative’ grant of more than £400,000.
The Anthony Seddon Fund, which operates from its George Street headquarters, is being handed £408,345 from The National Lottery Community Fund.
It will support its work over the next five years, focusing on supporting and enhancing its peer-led mental health services, also introducing essential infrastructure improvements.
And chief operating officer Harry Thomas cannot play down its importance.
He said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, we can secure the long-term sustainability of our services.
“This grant enables us to not only maintain but also grow our support for individuals and families affected by mental health challenges at a time when it’s needed most.”
Founded in memory of Anthony Seddon, who took his own life following a 12-year battle with bipolar disorder, the charity has become established in the community.
its daily drop-in provides a casual yet supportive environment for individuals grappling with mental health challenges, alongside family, friends, and carers.
Dedicated peer support groups, arts and crafts sessions and other workshops form a varied programme, each designed to support mental wellbeing and social connectivity.
In partnership with Big Life and Tameside, Oldham, and Glossop Mind, SAFE Tameside crisis service also operates from The Anthony Seddon Centre, offering a crucial alternative to A&E for mental health crisis support.
This new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund will see The Anthony Seddon Fund continue to develop its services to support the community’s mental resilience and wellbeing, reduce social isolation and help participants better manage long-term mental health conditions.
Its new strategy, It Starts With Community, will underpin its efforts to distribute at least £4 billion of National Lottery funding by 2030.
As part of this, the funder has four key missions, which are to support communities to come together, be environmentally sustainable, help children and young people thrive, and enable people to live healthier lives.
National Lottery players raise more than £30 million a week for good causes across the UK.
Thanks to them, last year The National Lottery Community Fund was able to distribute over half a billion pounds (£615.4 million) of life-changing funding to communities.
To find out more, visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk.