Cedewain Freemasons contribute to mental health charity coffers

Ian Williams on behalf of the Cedewain Lodge of Freemasons, Newtown presenting a cheque for £1,750 to Kemal Keeble, Recovery Practitioner of Rekindle’s Small Steps Project.

A ‘lifeline’ for young people who have been struggling to maintain their mental wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic has been given a surprise donation.

Rekindle, a mental health charity based in Newtown, was presented with a cheque for £1,750 by the Cedewain Lodge of Freemasons following a year where it has been “near on impossible” to fundraise during the pandemic.

The charity said the generous donation would go a long way in continuing their vital work to make a difference in mental health for 16 to 25 year olds in mid Wales with the Small Steps Project.

Kemal Keeble, recovery practitioner at Rekindle, said: “When somebody presents us with a cheque like that it gives us a huge boost to our coffers really. We were really pleased that they were able to give such a large donation.

“We are quite lifeline to a lot of people. It was really nice because we’re such a small charity. It’s lovely when people are drawn to us and want to make a difference. Any donation goes a long way.”

Often the charity’s early intervention following referrals from GPs, concerned families and other services is the difference between somebody getting institutionalised, being in and out of hospital or other institutions, either for crime or substance abuse.

“Not only that, you can have people who are long-term unemployed, and they feel very much like they are never going to change in themselves,” Kemal said.

“Through talking therapy and our intervention and supporting them to feel empowered about choices in their lives people go on to sustain employment or try volunteering. It’s only through our continued work that we do in the community that people are picked up and feel empowered to make a difference in other people’s lives.”

Kemal added: “It’s nice to see when somebody wants to put money into an organisation like Rekindle because it helps future generations.”