Volunteering for a mental health charity can provide benefits not just to the organisation but also for the volunteer. The CLD Trust is a charitable trust, working to improve mental health and wellbeing, especially with young people.

The Trust has a variety of volunteering opportunities for people of all ages. For 10 to 24 year olds there are Wellbeing Ambassadors and Strong Young Minds projects where young people with an interest in mental health can get involved in raising awareness, challenging stigma and shaping mental health services for young people. People aged over 18 can also get involved and the CLD is very keen to hear from people who could support them with local fundraising activities.

Their young volunteers have been involved in a huge variety of things in this last year which include: putting on an event at Hay Festival, recording a Podcast, producing resources for professionals, holding workshops for peers and forming young people’s interview panels for new staff. They have also enjoyed great successes with the Strong Young Minds Champions, winning a Herefordshire Community Champion Award and Wellbeing Ambassadors received a ‘highly commended’ certificate at the national Children and Young People’s Mental Health awards this year.

Fundraising volunteers have been reaping the benefits of increased physical activity whilst raising vital funds by completed a 105 mile bike ride, a half marathon and a series of walks.

Anyone wanting to find out more about CLD or volunteering opportunities can visit www.thecldtrust.org, call 01432 269245 or email them at [email protected].