Media Release: ASDA ‘cheques in’ with local charity selected by shoppers

ASDA photocall June 2013 OCS_0011

IT started with an anonymous nomination and then kind-hearted shoppers at the Straiton branch of ASDA voted for the Bonnyrigg-based Orchard Centre Services to receive a donation under the store’s ‘Chosen by you – Given by us’ scheme which benefits local charities.

ASDA general store manager, Mark McGrevey, and his community colleague, Sandra Castle, paid a visit the Orchard Centre to present a cheque for £200 and to meet members of staff and some of the local people who use the centre’s services.

Orchard Centre Services are run by charity, Health in Mind, and they support adults with mental health problems such as stress, anxiety and depression. The centre provides creative, community based services to promote positive mental health and wellbeing throughout Midlothian.

Joyce Turnbull, manager of the Orchard Centre Services, welcomed the ASDA team.

“To have the support of so many people through the ASDA ‘Chosen by you – Given by us’ scheme means a lot to everyone involved with the Orchard Centre and the cheque for £200 will help to support projects throughout Midlothian,” she said.

The volunteers who run the centre café showed off their baking skills to welcome their visitors with fresh home baking.

ASDA general store manager, Mark McGrevey, commented:

“ASDA Straiton plays a leading role within our local community and every colleague takes their responsibilities to local people very seriously.

“The team working at the Orchard Centre Services are helping people to change their lives and I am delighted to be here to present them with a cheque.”

The services run by the Orchard Centre are varied and include day services; development projects; group activities; art therapy; an early intervention and crisis response service; out of hours activities; housing support; volunteering and peer support; CLEAR – Community Lived Experience for Alcohol and Drugs Recovery; Men’s SHARE – Suicide, Harm, Awareness, Recovery and Empathy project.

ASDA community colleague, Sandra Castle, said:

“I’m responsible for running the scheme at the Straiton store and had the happy task of contacting the Orchard Centre to let them know about the £200 donation and their response was brilliant.”

ENDS

For further information, contact Doreen Graham, Health in Mind communications manager on 0131 243 0137; mobile 075 9000 9953; email doreen@health-in-mind.org.uk.

Notes for editors:

ASDA Community

In 2012, ASDA announced a big new initiative to get all their stores throughout the UK playing an even more central role in their local community.

Each store has a Community Life Champion working one day a week with community groups and local organisations. They can arrange events in store and inspire colleagues and customers to get involved in local community work. In some of the bigger stores, they are able to provide space, including meeting rooms, for local groups to use.

The announcement followed a successful trial in 31 ASDA stores where staff members had already made a difference to their local communities, from providing space for Zumba lessons and coffee mornings in store to taking school kids on trips and helping to renovate local community centres.

Health in Mind – Orchard Centre Services

In 2003, Health in Mind took over the running of the Orchard Centre in Bonnyrigg which had previously been part of Midlothian Council.

Orchard Centre Services now hosts a wide range of mental health projects and services for Midlothian.

Orchard Centre Services are based in Bonnyrigg and offer services throughout Midlothian, delivering a preventative, community based recovery focused model of support and care.

Based in the Orchard Centre, this one stop shop provides a range of services and these are:

Day service 

A range of one to one supports and a comprehensive group work programme.

Early Intervention & Crisis Response Service (EICRS)

Face to face and telephone support for people experiencing a non-medical crisis. Open 363 days/year from 4-10pm Monday to Friday and from 10am-4pm at weekends. Social activities and personal support are also available up until 9.30pm during the week and 10am-4pm at weekends through our out of hours serviceEICRS Telephone no: 0131 663 5533.

Support from home

Support at home and in the community to enable independent living.

Development Project (Penicuik & Dalkeith) 

Support, community based services, complimentary therapies and awareness raising events throughout Midlothian.

Art therapy

A relaxing outlet to express emotion, available one-to-one or in a group.

CLEAR: Substance Misuse and Mental Health Project

Community Lived Experience for Alcohol & Drugs Recovery.

This is a peer-support programme where a volunteer who has experienced drug/alcohol misuse but is now recovering, provides support to another who is at the start of their journey. Monday drop-in’s provides an opportunity to socialise with others experiencing similar challenges.

SHARE Project: Suicide, Harm, Awareness, Recovery & Empathy

For nen aged 25-50 years with a focus on prevention and early intervention. Weekly support groups provide a comfortable space for sharing ideas and discussing issues.

Volunteering 

Various opportunities including our volunteer run cafe, office work, peer and buddy support.

Visiting services

Including advocacy, CAB clinics and carer support.

The Orchard Centre is a student placement provider and is also the base for the development worker for Midlothian Wellbeing Intervention Network/Choose Life.

MEDIA RELEASE posted by Health in Mind. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on this site. For more information, email here.

Contact: Doreen Graham
Phone: 0131 243 0137
Email: doreen@health-in-mind.org.uk
Website: http://www.health-in-mind.org.uk