MHM Wales Receives £5,000 from SPARk Up A Conversation Campaign – Championing Mental Health and Dementia Support Across Wales
- mhmadmin
- Aug 13
- 3 min read
MHM Wales Receives £5,000 from SPARk Up A Conversation Campaign – Championing Mental Health and Dementia Support Across Wales
We’re thrilled to share that Mental Health Matters Wales (MHM Wales) has received £5,000 from the SPARk Up A Conversation campaign – a national mental health and wellbeing initiative delivered in partnership with SPAR, AF Blakemore, and the Blakemore Foundation.
Even more exciting? We were the only Welsh charity selected to take part – proudly representing Wales on a national stage and helping ensure Welsh communities and services are included in the conversation about mental health and connection.
A Campaign with Heart
SPARk Up A Conversation is all about using everyday summer moments – BBQs, beach days, picnics and chats over a cold drink – to encourage people to pause, check in, and ask:“How are you, really?”
At MHM Wales, we know just how powerful these small, meaningful conversations can be in improving mental wellbeing – and we were proud to help shape the advice and messaging behind the campaign.
All Eyes on the Bridgend Dementia Hub
We’re delighted that all funds raised through the campaign will support our Bridgend Dementia Hub, which offers weekly wellbeing sessions, peer support, advice, and creative activities for people living with dementia and their carers.
Our Bridgend Dementia Hub Co-ordinator, Michelle, and Dementia Hub Support Worker, Maria, proudly represented the service during the campaign – sharing how the hub is making a difference and promoting the support available to local families.
A National Spotlight on Welsh Voices
Our Communications Officer, Nia, was also front and centre – interviewed in both Welsh and English – passionately highlighting the importance of connection and showcasing the wider support MHM Wales offers to communities across the country.
Mark, our Information Officer, also played a key role in the campaign, speaking about how our services help people find the right information, support and signposting when they need it most.
Together, the team helped spotlight how services rooted in care, community, and connection can change lives – and why continued conversations around mental health are so essential.
ITV Interview with Colin Jackson – Reaching New Audiences
As part of our involvement, MHM Wales featured in an ITV interview with Olympic champion Colin Jackson, where our team discussed the importance of the campaign and the power of talking.
The campaign received brilliant media coverage, including:
📺 ITV
📺 S4C
🗞️ National World – Reaching 2.9 million monthly visits
🗞️ Express and Star (with YESS) – Reaching 1.64 million users and 8.9 million monthly page views
This coverage has helped raise the profile of MHM Wales and our services – ensuring more people know how to access support, and more communities understand the importance of mental health conversations.
A Message from Our CEO
“We’re incredibly proud to have been chosen as the only Welsh charity for this campaign – it’s a real testament to the team’s dedication, innovation, and commitment to improving mental health support across our communities. The funds raised will go directly towards our Dementia Hub, where we see every day just how much of a difference the right support can make. I want to thank our staff, the Blakemore Foundation, and everyone involved in making this campaign a success.”– Richard Jones, CEO, MHM Wales
A Team Effort
This success would not have been possible without the enthusiasm, energy, and professionalism of the team.
A big thank you to Nia, Michelle, Mark, Maria, and Richard – this campaign was a true team effort and a fantastic example of how collaboration drives both funding success and stronger public awareness of our work.
A special shout-out to Nia, who delivered interviews in both Welsh and English – an absolute superstar!
Get Involved
You can still take part in the campaign:💬 Pause and ask someone: “How are you, really?”📲 Follow and share using #SparkUpAConversation
Together, we can break stigma, spark conversations, and make sure no one faces mental health challenges alone.
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