Read our response to the Department of Health Budget 2023/24 Equality Impact Assessment

Wed, 16 - August - 2023

On 22nd May,  the Department of Health opened a consultation on the Equality Impact assessment of the 2023-24 budget outcome. 

The consultation closed on Monday 14th August and MindWise submitted a response outlining the equality implications and impact of losing Core Grant funding. 

Many thanks to our clients, tenants, staff, and volunteers who helped us to shape this response. You can read the document in full below.

MindWise is a leading membership-based mental health charity in Northern Ireland. We have been working with and for people of all ages directly affected by mental health issues as well as families, carers, employers and teachers for over 50 years.

Northern Ireland has the highest prevalence of mental health problems in the UK, with a 25% higher overall prevalence than England, and our services are needed now more than ever.

In 2021/22, we managed 32 services supporting 15,993 people throughout the year. These services include Advocacy and Money Advice, the Northern Ireland Appropriate Adult Scheme, Children and Families (including Beyond Bricks, Bloom, and a Wellness Service for parents and children), Day Care and in the Community Care for social contact, housing, talking therapies and Carer and Family support services.

MindWise is demonstrably committed to ensuring that we support and empower people affected by mental health issues to live their best lives, no matter what age they are. Our services are underpinned by a trauma-informed life cycle approach where we support people from birth to the end of life.

Having adopted this approach, we are deeply concerned about the implications of the 2023-24 budget announcement, the removal of Core Grant funding, and potential future savings measures on the lives of the people we support through our range of services.

Dr Gareth Mulvenna
Policy & Public Affairs Manager
gareth.mulvenna@mindwisenv.org