Charity collaboration to raise funds for a mental health wellbeing hub

Gattaca, an engineering and technology recruitment specialist and outsourced staffing solutions provider, is keen to support STEM communities around the world, following the challenges caused by the global pandemic. Raising funds for a charity with a 130 year-long history of supporting engineers and their families is a key part of this commitment.

Gattaca Group Director Matthew Wragg said: “The start of the year can be a challenging time for most on a ‘normal’ year. This year, we fear it is even worse for our communities, with the considerable mental health challenges brought on by the physical, medical, social or economic impacts we’re all facing. We want to join the dots of all the passion and capability we have from within the business and our networks, with the aim to help people who need support. Our collaboration with Foothold will help us do just that.”

The ultimate goal of the collaboration with Gattaca is to raise £100,000 to fund a mental wellbeing hub which will be available to engineers, technologists and their families all over the world. Foothold’s CEO Jane Petit said: “We’re delighted that Gattaca has chosen Foothold to benefit from their fundraising. Last year, we supported more than 1,200 engineers and their families around the world. Since Covid-19, we’ve seen a 300% increase in calls for our help. With the anticipated increase in mental health problems as a result of the current health crisis, the support of Gattaca has never been more vital to our work.”

To kick off the collaboration, members of the Gattaca management board took on an epic 112-mile journey of walking, running and cycling across the South of England, raising £5,788 in the process.

Foothold offers mental health and wellbeing, care and disability and financial support for members of the IET and their families. For more information and stories of support, please visit www.myfoothold.org