Medicine:MDF The BiPolar Organisation

From HandWiki

Bipolar UK, formerly the 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

  • Mental health in the United Kingdom

References

  1. "Bipolar UK marks 30 years with new publication". 8 October 2013. https://www.mentalhealthtoday.co.uk/bipolar-uk-marks-30-years-with-new-publication. 
  2. McBain, Sophie (18 August 2021). "Nicky Chinn: "I’ve been fighting, one way or another, all my life"". https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2021/08/nicky-chinn-i-ve-been-fighting-one-way-or-another-all-my-life. 
  3. ""I’m not going to allow bipolar to destroy me"". 12 September 2011. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/im-not-going-allow-bipolar-1810145. 
  4. "A Place in the Sun host ‘hid’ bipolar diagnosis: ‘Afraid no one would work with me’". 19 October 2021. https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1508182/A-Place-in-the-Sun-new-host-Leah-Charles-King-bipolar-health. 
  5. Weston, Anneka (27 May 2015). "Volunteering with Bipolar UK". https://www.mindandsoulfoundation.org/Articles/439798/Mind_and_Soul/Articles/Volunteering_with_Bipolar.aspx. 
  6. "Bipolar UK LTD". https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/293340/charity-overview. 
  7. Keegan, Victor (14 June 2021). "Sheila Woodland obituary". https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jun/14/sheila-woodland-obituary. 
  8. "Change company name resolution on 2011-07-01". 16 August 2013. https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/01955570/filing-history?page=2. 
  9. "our story". https://www.bipolaruk.org/our-story. 
  10. Kitchen, Simon (7 November 2020). "How to support someone living with bipolar during lockdown". https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/lifestyle/article/bipolar-how-to-help. 
  11. "staff". https://www.bipolaruk.org/staff. 
  12. "Trustees". https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/293340/trustees.