Wickes Announces Charity Partnership With CALM

Wickes is proud to announce a new charity partnership with Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), a leading UK suicide prevention charity. As part of this partnership, Wickes is pledging to raise £2 million between May 2025 and May 2027 to support CALM’s life-saving work.

Throughout this two-year partnership, Wickes colleagues across its 228 stores, support centre, distribution centre and its suppliers will come together to raise funds through a variety of creative fundraising initiatives. These will include till point and online donations from customers during the popular 50p-ask weeks, engaging charitable events with suppliers, bake sales and personal and team challenges such as bike rides and mountain hikes. This commitment will help CALM continue to provide vital services, such as its free and confidential helpline, available from 5pm to midnight every day, and deliver impactful campaigns to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health.

1 in 5 of us will experience suicidal thoughts in our lifetime*. Someone in the UK dies by suicide every 90 minutes**. And the statistics are even worse for those in the construction industry, where workers are four times more likely to die by suicide than in any other sector***.

CALM exists to change all this. That’s why, at Wickes, we’re uniting with them against suicide and helping make sure they’re there to support anyone struggling with life - and provide everyone with the tools to prevent suicide.  From do-it-yourself ways to look out for your own mental health to a toolbox of guides and advice when you’re struggling, we’ll be working together to build something that makes sure everyone has the support they need.

This is going to be a life-saving partnership - and we’re going to be throwing everything but the kitchen sink at it.

David Wood, CEO of Wickes, said: “Supporting mental health is a priority for Wickes, and we’re proud to partner with CALM to make a real difference. We know the everyday pressures that many of our colleagues and customers face and the emotional toll this can have. By pledging to raise £2 million over the next two years, we hope to help break the stigma around mental health and ensure that more people feel empowered to seek support when they need it most.”

CALM’s CEO, Simon Gunning, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Wickes have chosen CALM as their next charity partner. I have no doubt we are going to achieve incredible things during our partnership, providing the Tools for Life for colleagues and customers across the UK. Suicide rates are at a 25-year high in England, but with Wickes by our side, we can change this- together, united against suicide.“

Together, Wickes and CALM are committed to building a brighter, more supportive future for everyone, one where mental health is discussed openly, and no one believes suicide is their only option.

Alongside this national partnership, Wickes continues to support charities and community groups locally through its Community Programme. By donating products to local projects across the UK, Wickes is proud to help create lasting positive change in communities. To find out more, visit our website.

Need help? Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) hosts a life-saving suicide prevention helpline and provides vital online mental health resources for anyone who needs them. Visit www.thecalmzone.net.

*Mind, Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, 2016
**Samaritans, 2022
*** On The Tools, 2024 

Source : Wickes

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