St Andrew’s Healthcare, which specialises in supporting people with complex mental health conditions, has launched its first fundraising appeal in more than a century.

The charity, which launched in 1838, is predominantly funding by the NHS and has launched the appeal to provide enhanced support to patients.

This includes therapeutic gardening, patient trips and to fund clinical research into complex mental health conditions, which are services that its statutory funding does not support.

The charity initially undertook fundraising when it was funded 186 years ago but its For Hope in Every Life appeal is the first in the last 100 years, the charity has confirmed.

“For Hope in Every Life is hugely ambitious,” said the charity’s chief executive Dr Vivienne McVey.

“We want to help transform the lives of thousands of people who are often overlooked in our society. We want to support them to find a sense of self, connect with their community and live a better life. It’s about rediscovering hope for every life.”

The charity’s head of fundraising Oli Hiscoe, who was appointed last year ahead of the appeal, said the fundraising “bridges the gap “between the care it provides “and going the extra mile to make the difference for patients”.

He added: “By combining innovation, compassion, and evidence-based approaches, we strive to revolutionise complex mental health care and show what is possible when we go over and above for our patients.”

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