Helen Klich worked for Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust until her retirement – as Involvement Facilitator and in other roles over 25 years, she was an incredible champion of what we used to call ‘the service user voice’.
In what would be his last email to her on 6 December 2024, Keri Lawrence, Development and Sustainability Officer shared the following:
“...it gives me the opportunity to thank you for a whole load of support you have given me and involvement in the Trust over the years, for which I am very grateful. You have been a constant rock of wisdom, clarity, intelligence, nobility and calmness in a sea of otherwise well-meaning but misplaced chaos. From my first ever SURF meeting, to the recent meeting where you defended Burton and District’s approach to coproduction! As a representative of the service users of Staffordshire’s mental health services, thank you for everything. We lose one of our best and most respected advocates upon your retirement.”
Helen sadly passed away in a car accident just six days after her retirement, leaving behind her husband, two children and four grandchildren.
Kaleidoscope Choir
Helen was an active member in the Lichfield based women’s community choir, Kaleidoscope. They were very keen that Helen’s support of people with mental health problems continued as a lasting legacy to her. They were generous in their donation of £250 for our charity’s services. Echoing Helen’s commitment, we will make use of the funds by further enabling our involvement offer to our participants; perhaps the funds will support people with mental health problems to attend services or projects or get that one thing that they need but cannot access through other means to make their life easier. Further to this, the Choir are dedicating their fundraising over 2024 to supporting Helen’s Bursary further.
Lynne Walsh, who leads the choir, comments:
“The choir, and particularly those closer to Helen, are really delighted and moved by the concept of the bursary in her name. And it is a great comfort to know that her name will live on with "Mind " locally beyond our usual fundraising year. Thank you."
A key event for the fundraising is the Lichfield Rotary Concert at Lichfield Methodist Church:
7:30pm 7 September 2024, in support of Burton and District Mind.
Tickets are just £10 each and can be purchased from:
For more details about the fund raising at this concert from this link:
Sparkle18 Ltd
In addition, Sparkle18 have kindly donated £400 to go to Helen’s Bursary.
Anna Sepko, Managing Director of Sparkle18 Ltd notes:
“Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, and we are happy to support Burton & District Mind in their mission to provide essential mental health services and raise awareness. We do this by aiding in the removal of financial barriers to participation. Together, we can create healthier and more supportive environments for those in need. As always, Clean House = Clear Mind”
Sparkle18 Ltd is a premier cleaning service provider offering comprehensive domestic and commercial cleaning solutions across Tamworth, Burton on Trent, and Lichfield.
You can find out more about them at www.sparkle18ltd.co.uk or by calling 01827 908147.
If you are a participant of Burton and District Mind's services and think you might be able to benefit from Helen's Bursary, please speak to your Recovery Worker or Counsellor regarding your need.
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