Mental health charity LAMP has appointed a new chief executive as it looks to expand to meet increasing demand for services.
Sue Langley takes over from Denise Chaney, who is retiring after helping to set the organisation up in 1989.
LAMP (Leicestershire Action for Mental Health Project) provides advocacy support for mental health patients and their carers in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, helping them to access services, advice, information and training.
Sue said she was delighted to be joining an organisation supporting people with mental health issues and raising awareness of the problems sufferers face.
New CEO said: “Mental health remains a growing issue. A lot more people are recognising they do have mental health issues and we don’t want them to feel they have to suffer alone, without a voice.
“It’s quite evident that more people are accessing the service. It’s also evident that now, one in six people who are working experience mental health problems.”
LAMP is aiming to recruit extra staff and take on more volunteers. Sue, who lives in Leicestershire, previously worked for Crimestoppers, and has more than 15 years’ experience working to help disadvantaged people gain access to services.
She said that while awareness of mental health problems is increasing, there is still a lot more work to be done. LAMP will need to raise £1 million a year to meet demand and keep standards high.
“Currently, demand is growing and we want to be able to meet the accompany increase in demand for quality advocacy services,” she said. “It’s an exciting time for us. There are without doubt challenges, and the charity will need vital support from donations, and people who think they can help us.
“There are a lot of people who need our help. What’s important to us is that we maintain the quality of the service we currently provide as we expand.
“I think people are talking about mental health more, but the stigma still exists. Yes, we’ve come a long way but there’s still a long way to go.”
- LAMP is hosting a picnic open event in Leicester on August 4. For more information, visit: http://www.lampdirect.org.uk
By Gemma Peplow
