Together, Norfolk shines brighter

The Handelsbanken Ball has raised over £150,000 for their fund with Norfolk Community Foundation, which has been supporting the mental health of people in Norfolk since 2019.  Funds raised this year will help contribute to that mission.  

Handelsbanken is celebrating 20 years in Norwich! The Handelsbanken team approached Norfolk Community Foundation in 2019 because they wanted to make a bigger difference in their community.

It is estimated that 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. With statutory mental health services struggling, it is our frontline charities and community groups that are playing a critical role in meeting this increased need for mental health support now and in the long term.

“Mental health is something which we all have a stake in – now more than ever. There are many local charities and community groups who are already making an outstanding difference to lives across Norfolk but they need funding and support to sustain and grow their work. We all have our part to play in offering mutual support to one another and I believe we have got it within ourselves to make a difference and to change things.”

Rt Hon Sir Norman Lamb

Chair of the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition and former MP for North Norfolk

What can we do together?
The Handelsbanken Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund has been created to help sustain and develop the support that charitable organisations can offer to alleviate a range of mental health and wellbeing issues in the community. From counselling and therapy services to dementia care and befriending, local provision can be a lifeline for people facing isolation and exclusion with nowhere else to turn.

In 2022, the Handelsbanken Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund awarded over £40,000 in grants to sustain and develop the vital support that voluntary sector organisations offer to alleviate a range of mental health and wellbeing issues in the community. Funded projects helped young people find respite from their worries in places close to home and helped isolated people to connect with one another. The funding has also helped groups provide direct support and counselling around serious issues such as late diagnosis of autism and complex psychological trauma caused by abuse.

By working with Norfolk Community Foundation, Handelsbanken is part of the Good for Good programme. Good for Good is a groundbreaking programme making it easier for local businesses to achieve greater social impact. It offers a structured, impactful way for businesses to align their social responsibility efforts with local needs. Find out more at: norfolkfoundation.com/good-for-good/

About Norfolk Community Foundation
Norfolk Community Foundation is a charity dedicated to investing in communities to improve the lives of local individuals. We are proud to work in partnership with Handelsbanken to support our shared commitment to improving the lives of people in Norfolk who are affected by mental ill health.

We can only provide this essential support with your help – even a small contribution can make a big difference to lives in Norfolk.

To find out more about our work, visit norfolkfoundation.com, or contact the team at shinebrighter@norfolkfoundation.com / 01603 623958.

Registered charity number: 111081