NFU Mutual Agents and their staff at the local Bath agency recently nominated local charities Bath Mind and the Bath Foodbank to receive a donation of £3,225 each from a national £2million ‘Agency Giving Fund’ launched by NFU Mutual.

In light of the national emergency our country is continuing to face, NFU Mutual, the UK’s leading rural insurer, announced this £2million fund in February this year, to help local frontline charities during 2021.

To ensure these donations reach all corners of the UK and are directed where they’re needed most, NFU Mutual’s Agents, with over 300 offices nationwide, have been given the opportunity to nominate local charities to receive a share of the fund.

Heather Wareham, Agent at NFU Mutual Bath, said: “Covid has had and continues to have a huge impact on everybody, including our customers and their local communities.

“The work carried out by Bath Mind is a vital lifeline during a particularly stressful and challenging time and the Bath Foodbank run by Genesis Trust and its volunteers have been making a huge difference to the community during these challenging times.”

Jodie Hoskin, Fundraising and Training Manager at Bath Mind, said: “Since the pandemic began in 2020, Bath Mind have adapted our entire service offer across B&NES.

“Throughout the pandemic, we set up five new services to meet the increasing demand, and in 2020–21 alone, we directly supported over 4,500 individuals.

“The demand for our services continues to increase, but our usual fundraising events and activities are at a standstill. To continue our vital services, it is paramount that our work is supported by local donations and funding. By donating to Bath Mind, NFU Mutual Bath have directly helped individuals across B&NES access life-changing mental health support.”

Hilary Long, Community and Events Manager at Genesis Trust Bath, said: “We have launched a telephone service to connect clients with volunteers who can provide support and signposting to other services.

“In 2020/21 we provided 2,765 food parcels to 5,286 people (1,482 were children). We also provided 100 sports activity packs during the summer holidays, 200 toy vouchers at Christmas for parents to buy their children a gift and new books to keep them entertained during the lockdowns. We have also supported many families with food through some of our local schools and will be running a Summer school holiday food project with local schools again this in July and August.”