Solent Mind's training room receives a makeover

The newly refurbished training room was officially opened on 30 March by OS CEO Nigel Clifford and Solent Mind CEO Kevin Gardner.

The team of OS volunteers donned their decorating overalls to transform the once dull room into a clean, energising environment which can now be used by staff, volunteers, and service users.

As part of the makeover the OS team not only decorated the room but helped install new blinds, carpet, furniture, storage and artwork including a creative finger print painting from OS staff. The room wouldn’t have been complete without a map, so one of the final touches came when the team hung an OS Custom Made map canvas centred on the building.

Teena Munden, OS Business Centre Manager, said: “A lot of hard work has gone into transforming the Wellbeing Centre training room and we are all extremely proud of how the room looks now. I would like to thank the OS volunteers who helped on the project and all the local retailers and trade companies who have kindly supplied materials and furniture to the project. I'm really looking forward to hearing how the room is used and how it is ultimately going to benefit the staff and service users.”

For the last year Solent Mind has been the corporate charity for OS with the organisation taking part in various activities to raise valuable funds for the charity. Over the last 12 months this has included football tournaments, choir concerts and good old fashioned cake sales.

Nigel Clifford, OS CEO, added: “The OS corporate charity means a lot to all of us at OS and I am constantly amazed at the levels of fundraising which take place. I am delighted that we have decided to continue to support Solent Mind for the next 12 months.”

To kick off the next 12 months of fundraising, the OS Craft Club have created a fantastic Great British Craftography Map which will be going up for auction. The 2.2m by 1.2m wall hanging is made up of 91 tiles representing the National Grid, each with their own local and unique twist.

Solent Mind is the leading mental health charity across Hampshire and is here to make sure anyone with a mental health problem has somewhere to turn for advice and support. They believe no one should have to face a mental health problem alone.

Kevin Gardner, Solent Mind CEO, adds: “We are so grateful for Ordnance Survey’s support. OS staff have done an amazing job transforming our training room and their creativity and inspiration will make a real difference to people visiting Eastleigh Wellbeing Centre for support and advice. We also very much appreciate the local companies who donated skills and materials to help make the world a better place for people with mental health problems."