Supporting Mental Health, The Ship agrees partnership with local Charity #News

Victoria Hayes
22nd August 2023

 One of our own Taste Cheshire members, The Ship Inn has teamed up with a mental health organisation in an effort to help people going through difficult times.

A three-year agreement with Platform for Life has been agreed to by Handbridge-based pub The Ship Inn, which also promised to increase charitable donations by at least £3,000.
The Ship Inn, which has been owned and operated by tenants Lance and Leanne Warburton since 2015, will organise many fundraising events over the course of the next 12 months. In addition, the bar will donate £1 from each sale of a steak and ale pie, which is its most popular dish.

Kindhearted workers have also chosen to donate five percent of their gratuities, and any new hires will be given the option to participate in or not.

In an effort to address the crisis, Platform for Life was established in 2017 and provides low-income families with free play therapy and counselling in their community for families experiencing mental health issues. Over 6,000 people in the Chester area have already benefited from the charity’s efforts.

Thus far in the collaboration, the pub has contributed £203.50 from staff gratuities and £499.50 from the sale of 296 steak and ale pies.

Commenting on the new partnership, Lance Warburton said: “Most of us will experience mental health issues at some point in our lives and it’s an area that needs to be talked about more. Joining forces with Platform for Life will not only amplify the charity’s exceptional work but we hope that together, we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of local families who don’t have easy access to mental health services.”

Platform for Life’s CEO, Ceri George, added: “Against the backdrop of a cost-of-living crisis and an epidemic of poor mental health, demand for our service is high and we’re delighted that The Ship Inn, Handbridge has chosen to support Platform for Life. This will not only ensure more people on low incomes can access our free therapy service but also help increase the visibility of our work and hopefully encourage others to support us and sustain our work.”

As well as taking referrals from GPs, health visitors and schools, the charity also accepts self-referrals from adults for themselves or on behalf of another family member.

For more information on Platform for Life and the support it offers, visit: www.platformforlife.org.uk/home/how-to-make-a-referral/.