Frenchgate Shopping Centre is collaborating with mental health charity, Doncaster Mind to promote positive mental wellbeing during the festive period by launching the ‘Mental Elf’ initiative.
The centre is encouraging shoppers to relieve stress and boost their confidence by taking part in the Doncaster Mind ‘Mental Elf’ activity by creating their very own elf. The charity is providing the pattern to crochet an elf as well as a positive message tag which can then be attached to the elf and left around the centre for others to find and look after.
Participating in the ‘Mental Elf’ exercise will allow individuals to relax and unwind as crocheting can help people feel calm and soothed.
Shoppers can decorate and personalise their elf with an array of colours, beads and embellishments. The local community is invited to create their elf freely or they can use the brand colours of Doncaster Mind; blue, purple and yellow.
Frenchgate Shopping Centre has recently partnered with Doncaster Mind to promote World Mental Health Day. This is the second collaboration between the centre and charity in the last two months, helping to raise awareness of mental health in Doncaster.
Karen Staniforth, Assistant General Manager of Frenchgate, said:
“We recently worked with Doncaster Mind for Mental Health Awareness Day which had a positive impact in the local community, so we are really happy to have partnered with the charity once again to help those with mental health problems and raise awareness across South Yorkshire.
“We want participants to be creative and make their ‘Mental Elf’ their own by adding small beady eyes or big buttons eyes and making it smile or blush. We would like to encourage people to come on down to get involved and even pop a photo of their elf on Facebook – don’t forget to tag Frenchgate and Doncaster Mind.”
Jenni Hall, Wellbeing Worker of Doncaster Mind, commented:
“Christmas is a wonderful time, but it can also be hard for those who are struggling with their mental health so the ‘Mental Elf’ initiative will help support those living with difficulties.
“The crochet activity will help support those who need to take time out to relax and re-focus and any donations will help those who rely upon on the services that we provide at Doncaster Mind.”
A suggested donation with all proceeds going to Doncaster Mind is £1.50. For more information, please visit www.frenchgateshopping.co.uk. Patterns and tags are available for collection at the Guest Services desk on the first floor of Frenchgate.
