The PHA Group is proud to announce CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) as this year’s Charity of the Year, with a year-long partnership starting from Autumn 2021.
This is the second annual charity partnership PHA has announced, with the agency’s first charity of the year partnership launching in September 2021 with Solace Women’s Aid, – a charity that offers free advice and support to women and children in London who are experiencing domestic abuse. After a successful 12-month partnership with Solace, the agency is delighted to announce its new charity partner, CALM, selected following a thorough research and review project led by the agency’s Charity & CSR team, and a companywide vote where all staff were able to select their preferred charity partner.
CALM is a fantastic charity, which takes a stand against suicide and works to challenge the stigma that prevents talking about such a sensitive subject. Through the power of music, sport, art, and anything in between, CALM has previously worked on incredibly impactful campaigns such as ‘Project 84’ and the ‘Invisible Opponent’ and the recently launched ‘STAY’ campaign which also sparked much needed discussion .
Over the next 12 months, the PHA Group will support CALM in a number of ways including:
- Launching companywide fundraising initiatives to help raise money for CALM.
- Volunteering to support the events CALM puts on during our partnership, such as its annual ‘Lost Hours Walk’ flagship event.
- Increasing CALM’s media and social presence through Pro bono support. This includes raising awareness around CALM’s key campaign moments throughout the year.
- Delivering informative seminars and workshops to help educate employees on CALM’s stand against suicide.
Support for CALM has already begun, with the agency launching the partnership to staff with two exciting fundraising initiatives; a bake sale for World Mental Health Day and a companywide fitness challenge, STEPtember.
After last year’s successful STEPtember campaign, PHA employees were encouraged once more to record as many steps as possible throughout September. Collectively, we reached a step count just shy of twelve million and raised £380, with one individual running the London Marathon to increase their step count. The bake sale was also a huge success which saw the agency collectively raising £562 across the two campaigns.
PHA also supported one of CALM’s flagship events, the Lost Hours Walk. An overnight twenty mile walk through the capital, the Lost Hours Walk aims to end the stigma around suicide, helping people to deal with grief differently and defiantly. Held this year on the 30th October, the PHA Group’s very own Natalie Altman joined CALM and other volunteers on the Lost Hours Walk and raised an incredible £1,067 (and counting!).
In addition, PHA will be helping CALM with Pro bono PR and Social media support. Looking ahead to Christmas and the new year where suicide rates sadly increase, PHA will be on hand to boost CALM’s presence and raise awareness around some of its key campaign moments throughout the year.
PHA also recognises that education on this sensitive topic is invaluable. Throughout our partnership with CALM, the agency will be putting on informative seminars and workshops so that employees are more informed and equipped to help support any friends or family members that might be struggling.
We are thrilled to announce our partnership with CALM and we look forward to helping the charity. Through campaigns and life-saving services, CALM aims to increase education and provoke more conversations around suicide and here at PHA, we’ll be ensuring that message is shared across our own community and to our friends and families.
