Bipolar UK
Bipolar UK, formerly MDF The Bipolar Organization, was established in 1983 (as the Manic Depression Fellowship)[1] to enable people affected by bipolar disorder to take control of their lives.[2] It is the only national charity that specializes in supporting bipolar disorder[3] and is one of the largest user-led organizations in the mental health sector in the UK.[4]
The charity is based in London, Charity Number 293340, with a staff of 14 people and 200 volunteers across the country.[5][6]
MDF The Bipolar Organization was formed by Sheila Woodland and Philomena Germing in 1983, along with 41 other individuals. The society's first meeting was in January 1983 in Westminster Cathedral.[7] In 2011 the organization changed its name from MDF to Bipolar UK.[8] The group was formed to support those affected by bipolar, including those with a formal diagnosis, their families, and friends. As of 2022 the organization runs 85 support groups across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.[9]
The Charity’s day-to-day activities are led by CEO Simon Kitchen [10] and Deputy CEO Rosie Phillips.[11] Overseeing the running of the charitable entity is 13 member Board of Trustees:[12]
- Guy Paisner, Chair
- Hilary Samson-Barry, Vice Chair
- Sarita Dent, Treasurer
- Alice Alphandary
- Melissa Barnett
- Jeremy Clark
- Derrick Dale
- Mohini Morris
- Robert Print
- Nadia Silver
- Jennifer Trent Staves
- Bill Walden-Jones
- Allan Young
See also
References
- "Bipolar UK marks 30 years with new publication". Mental Health Today. 8 October 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- McBain, Sophie (18 August 2021). "Nicky Chinn: "I've been fighting, one way or another, all my life"". The New Statesman. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ""I'm not going to allow bipolar to destroy me"". WalesOnline. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- "A Place in the Sun host 'hid' bipolar diagnosis: 'Afraid no one would work with me'". Express. 19 October 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- Weston, Anneka (27 May 2015). "Volunteering with Bipolar UK". Mind and Soul Foundation. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
- "Bipolar UK LTD". Charity Commission for England and Wales. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- Keegan, Victor (14 June 2021). "Sheila Woodland obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
- "Change company name resolution on 2011-07-01". gov.uk. 16 August 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
- "our story". Bipolar UK. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
- Kitchen, Simon (7 November 2020). "How to support someone living with bipolar during lockdown". GQ. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- "staff". Bipolar UK. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- "Trustees". Charity Commission for England and Wales. Retrieved 12 March 2022.