By Olivia Russell
Local dairy provider Longley Farm has launched a new charitable foundation, The Jimmy Dickinson Fund, to help improve mental health amongst children and adults.
Mr Dickinson, the owner of the dairy producer, whose father Joseph and uncle Edgar started Holmfirth-based Longley Farm in 1948, is venturing out from his farming roots and establishing a mental health charity.
He believes even though mental health issues are more vocal and readily discussed, there is “still reluctance to talk about these problems and for people to seek the help that they need”.
Young people are subjected to many societal pressures, through social media and their peers that are having a detrimental effect on their self-esteem and mental well-being.
“We hope that through our new fund we can provide targeted support to local groups, helping people with mental health issues that they will then make a real difference to local people’s lives for years to come”.
Jimmy Dickinson also hopes to shed light on the realities of loneliness and isolation in rural communities and deviate from the misconception that it’s just the elderly that are victims to loneliness and provide a network of local patronage for those in need.
Mandy Fawcett, head of personnel at Longley Farm said, “Providing the correct support for our staff has been a key focus for a number of years now and we recognise the importance of this from our own experience”.
The fund aims to open a dialogue about mental health and encourage people to seek the support they need, enabling groups to undertake more work locally and help people experiencing mental health problems.
“Prioritising mental health is an on-going commitment of ours and we hope that the Jimmy Dickinson fund will work to improve mental health awareness and support in our wider community”.
The Jimmy Dickinson Fund is now open. Applications are welcome for up to £1,000. More information can be found on the Foundations website -www.one-community.org.uk