Inspirational South Ribble trio launch charity to provide free mental health care

Craig Sandra and Paula from The South Ribble Wellbeing Trust

Three inspirational South Ribble residents have set up a charity to provide free mental health care for over 16s.

Paula Slater, Craig Bushell and Sandra Connolly have launched The South Ribble Wellbeing Trust after becoming worried about the large numbers of people who are in crisis.

Paula and Craig have faced their own mental health troubles and are now determined to do their bit to help.

Paula, who owns new Penwortham therapy business My Psychological Wellness, said: “The idea to create this charity comes from a deep desire to help others.

“I had a very troubled childhood, and those troubles followed me into adulthood. When I had my own children I was determined to be the person who ended the cycle of childhood abuse, and so that’s what I did through the help of therapy and education.”

Sadly, Paula was to endure repeated heartbreak in the years that followed.

“In the past 10 years I suffered awful tragedies,” said Paula. “First my daughter Katy died from a brain tumour when she was 10 years old. Then my mother took her own life eight weeks later, on Mother’s Day. Not long after, I lost my beloved cousin to cancer, then I lost two very dear friends to suicide.”

Refusing to “let the sadness control her”, Paula ploughed her efforts into understanding what had happened, completing her MSC in Psychology and launching her business.

Paula said: “I just don’t feel that my journey is over, hence the South Ribble Wellbeing Trust. As a child I promised myself that I would do anything possible to help anyone with their mental health and wellbeing.

“From one human being to another, I feel that we need to pull together to help each other. It shouldn’t just be left to the NHS and not everyone can afford to go private, so this is how we are able to help.”

Craig, who is a certified Personal Trainer and Armed Forces veteran, has himself experienced mental ill health.

He said: “Since leaving the forces, I have struggled adapting to civilisation. Together with the stresses of life, being a parent, and all other external stresses that we all face, I found myself in a very low place.”

After doctors told Craig he may have PTSD, he says he stopped caring about whether he lived or died.

“Once it got to that point, I knew I had to take back control. After a lot of soul searching, and research, I worked hard to improve my own mental health and wellbeing; this is an ongoing process.

“I really do want to help others, and there are so many people suffering with their mental health who feel that they are alone, with nowhere to turn.

“I believe that constant small steps lead to massive change. If you believe it, and believe in yourself and work towards your goals, life will reward you. I feel I was rewarded by meeting Paula and Sandra, and by the birth of the Trust.”

Sandra owns Dutton Doves, a business that provides doves to release for any occasion.

Sandra said: “Sadly, in my work, I have come across many funerals for people who have died by suicide.

“Those people, and their families, really reach into your heart and make you want to do something, anything, to help.”

Sandra and Paula have known each other for many years, working together as trustees of the Katy Holmes Trust where they have helped raised over £1.1m for paediatric brain tumour research.

Sandra added: “I am so honoured to be a Trustee of this incredible new charity alongside Paula and Craig, and I have no doubt that it will be a success.”

Paula, Craig and Sandra are hoping to raise £5,000 in order to secure a charity number. To donate to The South Ribble Wellbeing Trust, visit GoFundMe.

Paula added: “We very much hope that people and businesses will donate to help us to be able to help others and we are so very grateful to anyone who already has, or who has shared our posts and sent messages of support.”