Speaker Myriam Barker of Bradford MIND

Myriam was born in France and came to the UK as a French teacher which she did for 15 years. She then worked for The Children's Heart Surgery Fund in Leeds having become involved with that charity as a volunteer before taking on a full time role because her youngest daughter needed surgery to close a hole in her heart. She moved from there to Leeds MIND before transferring to Bradford five and a half years ago.

Myriam said that MIND was created in 1946 with the name of the National Association for Mental Health and in 1972 it changed its name to MIND. Also in 1972 The Phoenix Club was created in Bradford as a source of help for people with mental health issues. In 1988 The Phoenix Club entered the Mind organisation and changed its name to Mind Bradford. The charity became incorporated in 2011 and in 2024 changed its name again to Bradford District and Craven Mind (BDCM). This was because people in the Dales didn't realise that they were covered by the Bradford service. The reason that each local organisation is separately organised is because each city is completely different. The charity is still called Mind Bradford on the charity commission website.

BDCM services are  tailored to local population.  Service is by phone or in person 365 days a year without charge. Support is given to all age groups and a GP referral  is not required - just call for same day service. Currently there are 66000 adults in Bradford and Craven with depression. More than 50% of residents in the area live within the most 20% deprived areas nationally. 40% of residents have ethnic backgrounds that are not British. Also Bradford has more than 25% of residents aged under 18 making it one of the youngest cities in country. Another problem is the isolation of people living in the Dales particularly farmers.

The services delivered by BDCM are: -

1. Guideline which gives confidential support on line or by phone.
2. Adult mental health
3. Safe Spaces
4. Primary Care and GP services
5. Youth
6. Community support 

New services that have been added in the last five years are: -

1. Creative minds - through art
2. Nature Services
3. Open Light which supports ethnic minority people
4. Youth in Mind which provides support for the whole family giving peer support for adults and drama for children.

In recent years the requirement for mental health support has exploded. In 2021 Bradford Mind helped 3,000 people through its 25 staff 7 services. In 2025 23,000 people were helped through 160 paid staff and 85 volunteers. The have a big staff turnover because 60% of staff from having had their own mental health  problems. BDCM is the largest mental health charity in West Yorkshire. In the year to 31 March 2025 the charity had an income of £5.23 million of which £3.76 million came from government contracts and grants. Another £250 thousand came from investment income and the rest had to be raised from fund raising activities. A lot of this fundraising is through partner with organisations including Rotary as well as with local businesses.

Myriam outlined the way that staff are trained: -

• Staff are sought who have skills and professional but they don't employ councillors or psychologists as these are considered too institutional.
• Usually people who have had own mental health issues. They first become volunteers and then staff members.
• new employees must be people centred with strong communication skills
• They are then trained in
  • Mental health knowledge and all aspects of trauma.
  • Safe Guarding and Risk
  • Collaborative working with external organisations 
  • Assesment and Support Planning
  • Recovery and strength based support to help people become self sufficient 
  • Process
  • The Interview stage

After training they receive supervision from a line manager and every 4 to 6 weeks they receive clinical supervision to discuss difficult cases. They are also helped to direct cases to other sources of help.

For more information please see the BDaCM website - https://www.bdcmind.org.uk/