Mansfield Building Society staff have voted for Nottinghamshire Mind as their new charity partner and will now be fundraising and volunteering for the service, which provides vital mental health support across the county.

A schedule of fundraising events, ranging from bake sales and an Easter hunt to climbing Ben Nevis, has been drawn up.

The society said it already puts mental health high on its list of priorities for employee care, with six staff members volunteering time and completing regular training as mental health first aiders, providing confidential support to all their co-workers.

Jo Sanders, of Nottinghamshire Mind, said: “We are privileged to have been chosen by Mansfield Building Society to be their charity of the year.

“This partnership will not only provide Nottinghamshire Mind with much-needed funds to be able to continue our community mental health support, it will also give us an opportunity to work with Mansfield Building Society colleagues, customers and the wider community to help create a culture where mental health can be talked about openly without judgement.”

Vickie Preston, head of HR and charity committee member at the building society, added: “The society is committed to supporting the local community and what better way to do this than fundraising and volunteering for this critical service.

“As a society we encourage our colleagues to talk and we support our members in need, so to contribute to the wider communities through the charity, is fantastic.”

ABOVE: Paul Wheeler, chief executive at Mansfield Building Society, and Jo Sanders, partnerships and promotions lead, Nottinghamshire Mind, launch their charity partnership.