If you're picking up a latte or cappuccino in one of Newcastle 's branches of Starbucks, you can now also help provide "little extras" to improve the lives of mental health patients around the region.
The Seattle-based brand's stores in Neville Street and Northumberland Street are now working in partnership with the charity run by the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust. CNTW - which runs mental health and disability services in the North East - operates the SHINE Fund.
The SHINE Fund supports patients looked after by CNTW in ways ranging from taking them on horse-riding outings to helping to decorate inpatient wards. Now, both city centre Starbucks branches will be fundraising for the charity - and they'll also be highlighting mental health resources including self-help guides to customers.
Read more: Newcastle's Starbucks stores team up with mental health trust to raise awareness
Jude Parker, manager at Starbucks Northumberland Street, said: "We are privileged to be able to work alongside The SHINE Fund. We are hoping to raise funds to allow the charity to carry on their good work and help spread awareness of mental health."
Ailsa Miller, a manager a the NHS trust added: "We’re delighted to be working with Starbucks and very much looking forward to being able to promote the work of both CNTW and The SHINE Fund. Any donations at the stores will be extremely gratefully received and will enhance the care and opportunities we are able to provide."
She said it was important that the partnership helped to raise awareness of mental health and disabilities - and helped people to get vital information if they needed it.
READ NEXT:
