Lincat scores a conversion for men’s mental health charity

Lincat has helped the Sparkle Foundation UK to support men struggling with mental health issues in Cornwall.

Having worked with the charity previously, when Leigh Yates, Founder and Chairperson of the Sparkle Foundation UK approached the manufacturer again for support, it was on a very personal mission.

Steve, Leigh’s husband and father to their children, died by suicide in April 2022. With the support of her family and The Sparkle Foundation UK therapists, Leigh created Steve’s Legacy and this is where Lincat came in.

Leigh continues…

“I realised how little support was available for men, sadly there is still a massive stigma around men’s mental health, males account for 75% of all suicides. I never want anyone to go experience what we have as a family.

“I recognised, the solution is to get these men talking and to bring them together with food in a safe, warm space.

“Helston Rugby Club was well known to us as a family, as Steve had helped in a parent capacity with our son playing for the club. Helston were accommodating and open to the idea of us using the club for mental health meetings and 1-2-1 sessions, run by a team of 4 therapists employed by The Sparkle Foundation.

“However what the club really needed was better catering facilities to support the charities work and this is where Lincat comes in.”

Paul Hickman, UK Group Culinary Director for Middleby, visited the club and with assistance from Allsop and Pitts delivered the kitchen from paper to plate.

The new kitchen has spring boarded the work the foundation has been able to do, no longer limited to supporting those struggling with their mental health. With the cost of living crisis, the foundation is now supplying crisis packs and discretionary family meals, as well as teaching people how to cook and how to socialise.

Paul Godfrey, Sales and Marketing Director for Lincat said…“It is fantastic to see how the new Lincat kitchen is enabling the foundation to make such a difference to this community.”