Why Talking Fixes: Join Us in Changing the Conversation Around Mental Health

Hi, I’m the Chair of the Will Garvey Trust Foundation – and if you’ve met me, you’ll know how passionate I am about improving mental health awareness and breaking the stigma around suicide. This work is incredibly personal.

The charity was born out of tragedy, after the death of Will Garvey by suicide at just 20 years old. He had his whole life ahead of him – so much to give, so much still to experience. In the shock and grief that followed, a group of Will’s friends came together with his parents, Joanna and Kevan, to do something – anything – to stop this from happening to other families. That was nine years ago. Since then, we’ve grown into a registered charity with a powerful purpose at our core.

We’re still small – one paid staff member, 10 committed trustees, and an incredible team of around 40 volunteers (including a growing number of young people under 25, and even a young trustee!) – but we punch well above our weight. With the amazing support of our community, we run fundraising events, deliver care packs, build wellbeing libraries, and lead conversations that matter.

Our mantra is simple: Why Talking Fixes. We work mainly with young people aged 13–25 and the communities around them, across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. But we want anyone, of any age, who needs support with their mental health to find something useful in what we offer.

Here’s what we’re doing:

• Being visible and positive in our communities, helping people feel seen and heard

  
  

• Partnering with local groups to improve attitudes towards mental health and promote early support.

  
  

• Improving access to resources for mental fitness and emotional wellbeing

  
  

• Delivering care packs to people who are struggling, to show someone cares.

  
  

• Setting up wellbeing libraries in schools, colleges, and special education settings

And we’re just getting started.

This year, we’ve got two big events coming up – and we’d love your help:

Baton of Hope – Derby Mini Event at Darley Park (13th September 2025)

We’re proud to be part of the UK-wide Baton of Hope campaign, and we’re leading the Derby event this year. The Baton might not come back to Derby for a while – so let’s make this one count! https://batonofhopeuk.org/the-baton/

Willfest – 20th September 2025, Mapperley Farm

Will would have turned 30 this year. We’re marking it in the best way we know – with a brilliant day of live music and community vibes at Mapperley Farm near Shipley Park. It’s a celebration of his life, with music that he would have loved and a reminder of why we do what we do.

If you’re free to volunteer at either of these events, even just for the day, please get in touch. Every pair of hands helps us make a bigger impact.

Joanna, Will’s mum and one of our founders, is also available to speak to local groups, schools or workplaces about our work and Will’s story. And if you’re part of a team looking for a charity to support – we’d be so grateful if you considered us.

If you are on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram please take a second to follow us – that really helps with our impact too.

We might be a tiny charity – but we’ve got a huge heart. And we’re excited about where we’re heading next.