A NEW mental health support programme for key workers will be launched in Dorset thanks to a £10,000 donation.

Dorset Mind has been awarded a huge £10,000 to kickstart its key worker mental health support programme, a scheme which will provide mental health support and wellbeing to key workers in the county through webinars and individual counselling.

The funding has been provided by Ecclesiastical Insurance Group through the company's annual Movement for Good awards.

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More than 1,000 projects were submitted to receive a £10,000 donation and Dorset Mind is one of 30 charities chosen by a panel of judges to receive a share of £1m of funding.

Marianne Storey, chief executive of Dorset Mind, said: "Ecclesiastical's generous grant will enable Dorset Mind to help key workers that have unwaveringly supported our communities. They have shown up consistently in their frontline roles during the pandemic.

"The funding enables us to provide a care package of essential support, training and one-to-one counselling to help them recover from the trauma they have encountered. We're delighted to be able to do this for them."

Now in its third year, Ecclesiastical's Movement for Good awards champion charities who are aspiring to be innovative and create new ways to benefit society.

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This year, £1m has been donated to charities across the UK through the awards programme.

Mark Hews, group chief executive of Ecclesiastical, said: "We believe business should be a force for good. Charitable causes need sustained support and a sense of financial stability.

"Through the second phase of our Movement for Good awards, we are actively championing innovation, giving charities the backing they need to propel their plans forward and turn creative ideas into practical solutions that benefit society.

"We know that £10,000 can make a huge difference to the incredible work that charities do and we're looking forward to seeing how this financial boost will change lives for the better.

Mark added: "As a company whose purpose is to contribute to the greater good of society, charitable giving is at the heart of our business."

For more information about Dorset Mind and to access mental health support, visit www.dorsetmind.uk

For more information about the Movement for Good awards, visit www.ecclesiastical.com/movement-for-good

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