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Our Impact

How our work is helping people across Devon

You’re helping us to change lives.

If you’ve supported or amplified our work in any way — whether that’s as part of a fundraiser, a donation, an event, or just sharing something on social media — you’ve made a direct impact on Devon Mind’s ability to help people across Devon living with mental health problems.

We think it’s crucial to illustrate the real-life impact our mental health services have on people every day, to show how the generous funding and support from individuals and organisations across the county are used. We also hope that by sharing these testimonials, quotes and experiences, we may reach people who aren’t yet sure about reaching out for help, to show them that they can, and should, take the first step to better mental health.

 

“I honestly could not thank [my counsellor] enough for everything they did for me. I overcame things I never thought possible and I really could not have done that without them.”

— Chloe, counselling service user

 

Our latest feedback

  • My counsellor was amazing! I felt comfortable and at ease within moments of my first session. He reminded me of prior conversations which allowed me to reflect on the way forward and the next steps. He allowed me to own my feeling and navigate a way forward whilst always allowing the past to be rationalised.

    — Nigel, counselling service user (July 2023)

  • My counsellor has been truly amazing. Our time together has been massively valuable and given me tools and practical steps to move my recovery forward in a positive light. I’m so thankful for all that you have helped me discover about myself.

    — Damo, counselling service user (July 2023)

  • I found my counsellor kind, attentive, open, pleasant and effective. She gave me confidence to explore thoughts on situations and sometimes see them in a different way, sometimes with the outcome of a different perspective which has helped me.

    — Liz, counselling service user (July 2023)

  • Recovery work from Devon Mind made me feel like I was worth help after years of rejection.

    — Recovery Practitioner service user (May 2023)

  • These sessions have helped me immensely. It was nice to have someone listen without being judgmental. Thank you very much.

    — Counselling service user (May 2023)

  • My advisor has a natural empathy and was extremely easy to get along with. At the end of my course, I felt as if I can manage my depression and anxiety a lot better now and have a support plan. I had just come out of a depressive episode and this was exactly what I needed to go forward. Brilliant!

    — Recovery Practitioner service user (May 2023)

  • The course was delivered in a comfortable, informal and relaxed setting, with knowledgeable facilitators, in a caring and empathetic approach.

    — Trauma, Shame & Self-Care course attendee (May 2023)

  • I found the trainers very pleasant and friendly, and the course content was interesting and informative.

    — Trauma, Shame & Self-Care course attendee (May 2023)

  • Devon Mind have been so supportive to me this last year. Thank you!

    — Exploring Women's Mental Health course attendee (April 2023)

  • My counsellor is a warm, understanding and sincere individual who has supported me through an emotional journey over the past six weeks. Through their guidance and empathy, my mind feels much lighter, and I am greatly appreciative of this. Thank you for the laughter and the tears.

    — Counselling service user (March 2023)

  • My counsellor's support has helped me get through a really difficult period of my life. With their encouragement I was able to address the issues that had brought me to that place and I have learnt coping strategies that I hope will stay with me for life. I am so grateful for the support I have received from Devon Mind.

    — Counselling service user (February 2023)

  • Devon Mind helped me when I knew I needed extra support whilst waiting for a gap in services, where I felt more vulnerable in my mental health journey.

    — Recovery Practitioner service user (February 2023)

  • Fantastically delivered workshop with deep underpinning knowledge that actually makes sense to my life.

    — Matrescence: The Process of Motherhood workshop attendee (February 2023)

Featured testimonials

Spencer reached out for help with his mental health and received support from one of our Recovery Practitioners. In this video, he reflects on how he found the process and how it helped.

This video includes a testimonial from an attendee on our popular Trauma, Shame & Self-Care course in Plymouth. Content warning: Contains mentions of violence and trauma.

Impact reports

We publish an impact report every year looking back on our work over the previous 12 months, including our priorities, results and successes. You can read our recent impact reports below. Reports are in landscape format and therefore best viewed on a desktop or laptop computer.

2022—23

The next chapter: Taking advantage of new opportunities to increase our reach across Devon from April 2022 to March 2023.

Read now

2021—22

Responding to the fallout of a pandemic: How we worked in new ways between April 2021 and March 2022.

Read now

2020—21

Adjusting to a new landscape: How we responded to new challenges and increased need from April 2020 to March 2021.

Read now