Priti Patel MP with Heads2Minds Chief Executive, Liz Rotherham (right) and Liz’s Executive Assistant Lisa Fawcett
Priti meets with local mental health and wellbeing charity
Priti Patel, the Member of Parliament for Witham, has recently met with Liz Rotherham, the Chief Executive of local mental health charity Heads2Minds, to discuss the work they do to support people with mental health challenges.
The charity, which has its headquarters in Braintree, was founded by Ms Rotherham and her sister. The organisation began by providing educational talks to audiences about their experiences with mental health challenges, and the treatment or support that was available for people. As the organisation expanded, it gained charity status in November 2020 and now works in partnership with a number of organisations locally including the NHS and Essex Police. Offering alternative therapy is key within the charity and Heads2Minds hopes to introduce more within the community to provide a different approach, to enable people to have the tools and techniques to support their overall wellbeing.
During their meeting, Priti and Liz discussed a number of challenges including recent events within inpatient services in Essex, the ongoing work in partnership with EPUT, and the wider challenges of ensuring that the voices of those with lived experience of mental health challenges are heard, both in the local community as well as in Parliament.
Priti said: “It was a pleasure to meet Liz and hear more about the work that Heads2Minds does to support people and provide a greater understanding of the type of help that is available to those in need of mental health support.
“Speaking out and sharing lived experiences is so important in helping encourage others to realise they are not alone and there is support available. I am very grateful for the excellent work Heads2Minds are doing and the valuable support they bring to residents across Essex.”
Commenting after their meeting, Heads2Minds Chief Executive Liz Rotherham said: “What an amazing lady and a powerhouse that will evoke change within our community, who is open to listening to people and empowering them to take action to create a future full of hope and collaboration to support everyone along their journey. Heads2minds encourages peer support within the community, and is extremely pleased that EPUT are working towards making this happen, within the ‘Time to Care’ programme.”