On BBC 1’s National Lottery programme on Wednesday 2nd June, presenter Carole Machin announced that the search was on to find the public’s favourite Lottery funded projects of 2010. A local project, Stuff Stigma, is flying the flag for Norfolk, having reached the semi-final stage of this highly prestigious award.

All of the projects through to the semi-final have until June 18th to attract public votes, which will take 21 projects through to the final of the Awards later in the year. Stuff Stigma, which campaigns to challenge the stigma and prejudice faced by people with experience of mental health problems, is in the ‘Best Health’ category.

Oz Osborne, Project Manager of Stuff Stigma said:

“Mental health problems affect 1 in 4 of us and many people report that the stigma and discrimination they face is a huge barrier to getting the support they need to work towards recovery. Every vote we get from the public will issue a challenge to this prejudice, and will help us to change negative attitudes towards those with experience of mental health difficulties.”

Stuff Stigma is part of the national Time to Change campaign and is managed by the mental health charity Rethink. The project was the brainchild of Wymondham-based author and activist Robert Ashton, and has been gaining local and national acclaim since he launched it in 2006.

In response to the news that the project is in the running for this national award, Robert commented:

“Shortlisting Stuff Stigma for this exciting award not only endorses the great work done by Oz and our volunteers; it also shows that at last, attitudes to mental health are changing. Voting for Stuff Stigma is much more than a vote for one project, it’s a vote for a more equal and inclusive society. I started Stuff Stigma because I was angry about prejudice. If it makes you angry too, please take a few minutes to vote and show your support for this campaign.”

One of the ways Stuff Stigma seeks to challenge attitudes and behaviours is to work in partnership with many other local organisations, and has been responsible for creating a new anti-stigma community Forum, which organises local activity.

Maggie Wheeler, chair of the Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, a partner organisation, said:

“In the Trust we see the effects of stigma on people’s lives daily. It is hard enough to live with mental illness without people discriminating against you for it too. We are so proud of being part of bringing this campaign to the local population encouraging people to talk about what can feel a difficult subject.”

To vote for Stuff Stigma, visit: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards or call 0844 686 5951. Calls cost 5p from a BT landline but may vary from other networks.