A wheely good way to raise awareness

The Citizens' Eye column in today's Leicester Mercury leads with this article about current developments at Network for Change. I taught basic literacy skills and Creative Writing at Network for years. It's a terrific organisation and there's really nothing like it in Leicester, let alone in the whole of the East Midlands. I love Network for Change and all it stands for; I'd support just about anything they do there.

A wheely good way to raise awareness 

By James Black

A director of mental health support group Network for Change is going on a sponsored bike ride to raise awareness of mental health issues. 

Operations director Darren O'Brien, who has worked for Network for Change for 18 years, will travel from Leicester to Bradford to highlight the good work done by the organisation, which has been facing financial difficulties. 

A keen cross-country cyclist, Darren will be aiming to complete 40 miles each day. His 170-mile journey begins on August 23 and takes in much of the Pennine Way along the route. 

The Network for Change resource centre on London Road, Leicester, has been threatened with closure if the group is unable to secure the required funding. It costs £100,000 a year to provide supported housing, activities and advice services to vulnerable people. 

But many of the charitable grants it used to rely on are no longer available. 

Last month, city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby visited the charity to hear the personal stories of people who use the group and how it has helped them. 

Sir Peter has promised to return "within weeks" to give his decision on whether the group would be allocated funding. 

Darren believes that Network for Change offers a unique service vital in the rehabilitation and support of people suffering from mental illness. 

He said: "One of the main things I like about working for Network for Change is that the staff members and the people who use our service are equal partners. 

"We work with users to suit their individual needs and try to improve their lives." 

As well as highlighting the good work done in Leicester Darren also hope to draw attention to The Soteria Project, a national charity based upon the ideas of American psychiatrist Loren Mosher. Mosher was critical of using drugs to treat mental illness, favouring emotional support in a residential environment. 

He said: "I feel the values and ethos of The Soteria Trust are very much suited to Network for Change." 

If you would like to sponsor Darren's bike ride visit: www.charitygiving.co.uk/bradfordorbust