As part of the letting arrangement, Baltic Creative staff and tenants will be able to access subsidised counselling, specialised events and mental health first aid training, thanks to the brand-new partnership with the mental health organisation.
The Mind Map helps people to navigate to better mental health through counselling, training, awareness raising and signposting. Despite the size of the organisation, it trains some of the biggest companies in the world in mental health first aid, including Netflix and eBay.
Phil Bridges, founder of The Mind Map’s founder, said: “The pandemic has put a huge strain on small businesses, so it’s great to be partnering with Baltic Creative to offer counselling and training to its staff and tenants. In 2020’s ‘Money and Mental Health’ report, 82% of respondents said their COVID induced financial situations had worsened their mental health problems, making access to support from organisations like The Mind Map, more important than ever.”
Fiona Armstrong-Gibbs, chair of the board at Baltic Creative, said: “It has been such a tough time over the past 16 months, and we know that many in our community have faced challenges and changes that have affected their mental health along the way.
“As a socially conscious organisation, the wellbeing of our occupiers is always high on our agenda. We have been actively supporting where we can, and this new partnership will ensure that even more of our community will be able to take steps to manage their own mental health and support those around them.”
In addition to this new partnership with The Mind Map, Baltic Creative has also recently introduced a four-part wellbeing series with local social enterprise, ‘Transform Lives Company’, to help support tenants that are returning to work. The organisation also provided free access to Pilates throughout the pandemic.
“It’s fantastic to be working with The Mind Map on this project. Following its work with the NHS, The Florrie and organisations such as Netflix and eBay, The Mind Map is a respected provider of workplace wellbeing services. Being based at Baltic Creative, it felt natural to engage them to help the mental wellbeing of our own staff,” added Alison James, marketing and events officer at Baltic Creative CIC.
A series of events focusing on mental health, creativity and culture are soon to be announced, including a wellbeing themed music and photography event in autumn 2021. In addition, Baltic Creative will be this season’s sponsor of The Mind Map’s community football team, The Mind Map FC.
Phil Bridges said: “The Mind Map FC is a vehicle to improve mental health through exercise and connection, while providing all our players with access to counselling as well as a strong support network.”
