Harborough charity vows to pull out all the stops to help boost the mental health of local people in 2021

A major Market Harborough charity is vowing to pull out all the stops to help boost the mental health of local people in 2021.

The Market Harborough and the Bowdens Charity is one of the oldest charities in the UK, if not the world, after being set up an astounding 450 years ago.

Able to proudly trace its history all the way back to 1570, the charity has continued to help and support people throughout the devastating Covid-19 pandemic this year.

“The area of mental health is likely to continue to be a priority for 2021. Earlier this year the charity provided funding for a trial provision of a mental health facilitator at Market Harborough Medical Centre,” said the charity, which gets behind people and organisations in Market Harborough, Great Bowden and Little Bowden.

“And such initiatives will become even more vital going forward.”

The charity has an outstanding record of helping individuals in need, sports clubs, the arts, education, health and a variety of other projects in the community.

One of the first grants to be announced this year went to Voluntary Action South Leicestershire, (VASL), which has carried out invaluable work all year.

“The money was provided to cover its running costs.

“The charity also supports its transport scheme and mental health project,” said the Market Harborough and the Bowdens Charity.

The charity is also working alongside health and social care authorities as well as voluntary set-ups to improve people’s health, encourage smarter working of the care community and identify gaps and overlaps.

“Sports and outdoor activities play an important part in delivering our community’s good health.

“Local clubs supported by MHBC in recent times include Harborough Town Football Club, Harborough Cricket Club and most recently Harborough Squash and Racketball Club with the launch of their new Padel Tennis Courts,” said the charity.

“Earlier this year we were also able to help Little Bowden Bowls Club to replace its bowling green.”

The charity boasts a long history of helping students as they leave school and go into further education, at university or taking vocational courses.

“This year more than £130,000 was provided to individuals. At the same time our scheme to support local schools through non-core activities continued to bear fruit in the shape of projects such as Little Bowden Primary School’s work in the area of social, emotional and mental health,” said the historic charity.

“2021 will undoubtedly be a challenging year as our community tries to get back to normal existence for individuals, families, carers and organisations in the arts and sports.

“We know that there will be many calls on the support we can give, but we want to talk anybody who believes we can help.

“See our website for further information, email [email protected], or ring 01858 419128.”

You can find out more about the charity on their website here: https://www.mhbcharity.co.uk/