The independent campaigning charity committed to breaking the link between financial difficulty and mental health problems, has today appointed Helen Undy as its new Director.
Money and Mental Health conducts research and works in partnership with those providing services and those using them to develop practical policy solutions. Helen has spent the last two years as its Head of External Affairs. Her appointment follows an extensive search triggered by the departure of Polly Mackenzie to Demos in January.
Interim Director, Simon Crine, will hand over at the end of July. Helen will step up her leadership of current projects including the development of the UK’s first set of mental health accessibility standards – to help willing firms, help their customers. Money and Mental Health will begin recruiting to the External Affairs team shortly.
“I’m absolutely delighted that our new Director is going to be the brilliant Helen Undy. After a hard fought process, with many applicants, the trustees felt that Helen’s passion and knowledge was unbeatable. She’s also great to work with – I know that as she’s been with the institute as its Head of External Affairs from its birth two years ago (before that she’s had senior campaigning experience at both Relate and Mind).
“Over the last two years it’s been an honour to be part of the growth of this exciting organisation, to work with such a committed and talented team, and to be trusted by the thousands of people who have shared their personal experiences with us. We’ve made great progress, but with three million people in the UK living with both financial difficulty and mental health problems, there’s a long way to go. I’m delighted to be leading the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute on the next step in this journey and excited about the change we can achieve together.
Vanessa Pine, 07779 151720, MoneyAndMentalHealth@atlas-partners.co.uk for all media enquiries including interviews with spokespeople.
Money and Mental Health is an independent charity, committed to breaking the link between financial difficulty and mental health problems. It conducts research, develops practical policy solutions and works in partnership with both those providing services and those using them to find what really works.
Helen Undy was previously Head of External Affairs for Money and Mental Health, having held policy and campaigning roles at Mind and Relate before that. She holds a degree in Social and Political Science from Cambridge University.