The Access Group, a leading provider of business software, has announced Bipolar UK as its UK Charity of the Year for 2021/2022, pledging to match every pound its people raise.
Each year, employees at Access vote for their chosen charity and Bipolar UK has been chosen as the company’s latest charity partner after a staff member nominated them following her daughter’s diagnosis of bipolar.
Having raised over £370,000 for the National Deaf Children’s Society in 2021, Access is encouraging all its UK-based people to raise funds for Bipolar UK with a wide number of fundraising events across the company’s offices and online now being organised.
Bipolar UK is the only national charity dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by bipolar, a serious mental health condition in which someone can experience extreme mood swings. The charity raises public awareness with the aim for everyone to have a better understanding of bipolar and supports those affected to live well and fulfil their potential.
The money raised will help Bipolar UK to meet the increase in demand for its services since the pandemic. The charity currently supports around 100,000 people a year, but with over a million people estimated to be living with bipolar in the UK, the funds raised will help it to increase the provision of its call-back and email service, and reopen its in-person support groups across the country to help a higher number of people.
The funds will also help Bipolar UK support the significant work of the Bipolar Commission which aims to dramatically reduce the number of lives lost to people living with bipolar each year. Currently, someone with bipolar has a suicide risk that’s at least 20 times greater than someone without bipolar.
The Access Group also plans to donate its expertise in charity software solutions to Bipolar UK.
Simon Kitchen, CEO of Bipolar UK, commented:
“Bipolar UK is so grateful to The Access Group for choosing us as its Charity of the Year. We’re excited to help create many wonderful fundraising opportunities so we can continue to support individuals and their families affected by bipolar.”
“All of the money raised by Access will help us to create a positive change for those affected by bipolar in the UK. From creating even more safe environments with our in-person groups, to increasing the number of people being just a phone call away to listen when times are tough. We can’t thank Access enough for this donation, as we continue to campaign for change across the nation.”
Chris Bayne, CEO of The Access Group, said: “I am extremely proud of the entire Access Group team and its commitment to Bipolar UK. We’re excited to get started, create fundraising events and support with raising awareness of bipolar. It’s important for us to use our platform to give back to causes which we feel passionate about, as we do each year, which is why we’ll be matching each staff donation pound for pound.
“With more people affected by bipolar than many often realise, it was clear to so many of our staff that we need to help support Bipolar UK. Our team has been amazing, already planning their fundraising efforts to smash the donations out of the park again.”
About the Access Group
The Access Group is a leading provider of business management software to mid-sized UK and Asia Pacific organisations. It helps more than 47,000 customers across commercial and not-for-profit sectors become more productive and efficient. Its innovative Access Workspace cloud solutions transform the way business software is used, giving every employee the freedom to do more. Founded in 1991, The Access Group employs more than 3,850 staff. For more information about The Access Group, visit www.theaccessgroup.com