Shining a light on our charity partner – Mind

Mental health is more than just a small part of our lives. It’s connected to every little thing we do, every place we go and every person around us. And with mental health being such a prevalent issue within modern day society, it’s little surprise that our colleagues chose Mind as E.ON’s corporate charity partner back in 2022.

Since then, E.ON and our colleagues have together raised and donated more than £410,000 for this incredibly worthwhile charity.

This week marks Mental Health Awareness Week, so what better time to hear from Mind about the history of the charity, their current priorities and why working with organisations like E.ON is so crucial to their work in fighting for better mental health support.

Here’s what Mind had to say.

Can you tell us a bit about Mind as an organisation and its history?

We’re Mind. We’re here to fight for mental health. For over 70 years, we’ve stood side by side with anyone experiencing a mental health problem to ensure they get both support and respect.

As the leading mental health charity in England and Wales, our mission is to create a mentally healthy society. Through our information, services and campaigns we tackle stigma, barriers and isolation so that everyone can access mental health support when they need it.

In the face of a national mental health crisis, our work has never been more important. Waiting times for mental health services are at a record high, and far too many people are being left without the help they need. We’re here to change that.

Through our national helplines, Side by Side (our online peer support platform), and vital front-line services delivered by our network of over 100 independent local Minds, we support hundreds of thousands of people every year. Together, we‘re the largest provider of community-based mental health services in England and Wales. Many of our local Minds are the only form of non-clinical mental health support within their communities, offering talking therapies, crisis services, peer support and guidance on welfare, housing and more.

Our reach in the last year (2023-24):

• Over 120,000 calls to our national helplines, providing advice, signposting and emotional support in the moment
• 25.3 million visits to our online information resources
• Over 17,000 people accessed our Side by Side online peer support community
• 35,000 individuals joined our campaigns to challenge stigma and push for better mental health services
• More than 550,000 people directly supported through our local Minds
• 4.7 million items sold in our shops

What are Mind’s main objectives and your main challenges?

Right now, we are in the middle of a mental health crisis. In England alone, 1.6 million people are on waiting lists for mental health support. And behind those numbers are real lives — people trying to get through their day without the help they urgently need.

Mental health isn’t a standalone issue. It’s deeply connected to our physical health, financial wellbeing, relationships, work and identity. Yet a recent Mind survey revealed that public understanding of mental health is declining. Meanwhile, the people most likely to face inequality — those living in poverty, people of colour, and other marginalised groups — are also those least likely to receive the support they need.

At Mind, we work holistically. Our services, resources and campaigns aim to address every part of a person’s life. Because when people have the tools and support to manage their mental health, they’re empowered to live healthier, happier lives.

Can you share any stats about mental health in the UK right now?

• 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year
• 1.6 million people are on a waitlist for mental health services in England
• Nearly 40,000 children in England have waited over two years to access support

These figures underline the urgent need for sustained, long-term action — and why our work continues to be vital.

Can you update on us on the impact Mind’s work with E.ON is delivering?

Our partnership with E.ON plays a crucial role in helping us reach and support more people. Together, we’re not only raising essential funds but also tackling stigma and influencing systemic change.

So far, E.ON and its colleagues have raised more than £410,000 for Mind. This funding helps us respond to thousands of enquiries through our Infoline — a confidential service providing information, guidance and a listening ear when people need it most.

E.ON has also supported our Side by Side peer support platform, where people with lived experience of mental health problems can connect and share in a safe, supportive space. Beyond funding, E.ON actively champions our campaigns, amplifying the message that everyone experiencing a mental health problem deserves both support and respect.

One powerful example of our collaboration is E.ON’s involvement in the Help Through Hardship helpline, run by Mind and its partners. Originally created to help with quick referrals to food banks, this service has evolved to provide personalised advice and identify underlying causes of hardship — including mental health needs. Thanks to warm referrals, people in crisis are connected directly to our support services via the Infoline.

Why are partnerships with companies like E.ON so important?

Simply put, we can’t do this alone. Our corporate partners are essential to delivering on Mind’s strategic aims. With demand for mental health support growing, we need more organisations — like E.ON — to stand with us.

These partnerships enable us to:

• Reach more people through national services and our local Mind network
• Raise vital funds to deliver and expand our support
• Drive cultural change by bringing mental health conversations into workplaces and homes
• Influence decision-makers to treat mental health as a national priority

We’re proud to have E.ON’s support and deeply value their commitment to the mental wellbeing of their colleagues, customers and the wider community.

Mind will continue to fight for a future where no mind is left behind. But we need more allies to walk alongside us. Partnerships like the one with E.ON show how much more we can achieve when we work together — raising awareness, challenging stigma, and delivering real, lasting impact in people’s lives.

We’re incredibly proud of all the E.ON colleagues who’ve supported Mind through everything from marathons and abseils to Easter egg sales. Our support for Mind forms part of our wider commitment to ensuring the energy transition works for everyone – and that means supporting our colleagues, our customers and our communities through our day-today actions as well as meaningful partnerships with organisations like Mind.