The latest episode of podcast More Than a Shop explores the need for new conversations, support networks and funding focused on mental health across the UK. 

Whilst this series was recorded and produced before the COVID-19 pandemic, the issues raised will be more pertinent than ever.

One in four people experience a mental health problem in any one year. Series presenter Elizabeth Alker chatted to two people heavily involved in delivering mental health services – at a local level and nationally: Rachel Summerscales, formerly of Hulme Community Garden Centre in South Manchester, and Stephen Buckley, Head of Information at mental health charity, Mind. Mind recently launched a charity partnership with The Co-op. In this episode, you also hear from London’s Lifeafterhummus Community Benefit Society.

Listen and subscribe to future episodes via morethanashop.coop. A transcript of the episode is available here: www.uk.coop/resources/more-than-a-shop 

Special thanks to:
•  Rachel Summerscales, formerly of Hulme Community Garden Centre – hulmegardencentre.org.uk – now of Phantasmagoria – www.facebook.com/MagicalSuitcases
•  Stephen Buckley, Mind: www.mind.org.uk
•  Lifeafterhummus Community Benefit Society – www.lifeafterhummus.com

More Than a Shop is a collaboration between Co‑operatives UK, The Co‑op, Co‑op News, The Co-operative College and The Co‑operative Heritage Trust.

The series is presented by Elizabeth Alker. It is produced by Geoff Bird on behalf of Sparklab Productions.

Please note: The More Than a Shop series was recorded before the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.