RotaryRotary and Bipolar UK Bipolar UK is delighted to be working in partnership with Rotary Great Britain and Ireland. Together, we aim to reach and support 20% more people affected by bipolar in our first year. World Bipolar Day Campaign Rotary Bipolar eClub Bipolar UK 40th Birthday Celebrations Could it be bipolar? Understanding Bipolar Rotary partnership Rotary resources Fundraise Volunteer #SaveBipolarLives Bipolar UK Bipolar UK is the only national charity dedicated to supporting those affected by bipolar and offers a range of support for everyone affected by the condition: Website resources accessed by 300,000 people every year Local peer support groups for people affected by bipolar, facilitated by volunteers with lived experience National online peer support groups A moderated eCommunity with over 11,000 active users One-to-one peer support by phone and email A free annual conference on World Bipolar Day A free Mood Tracker app to help manage the condition Taking our 20-minute ‘Understanding bipolar’ eLearning course 'I wouldn't have been able to have the life I do now if it wasn't for Bipolar UK and the amazing people I have met. I owe my life to Bipolar UK and I know others feel the same.' Cameron The Bipolar Commission Launched in March 2021, the Bipolar Commission is one of the largest engagement exercises of its kind in the mental health sector. Over 100 experts and people with lived experience were interviewed, and more than 7000 people responded to a series of surveys. The Commission aims to identify challenges in the healthcare system and to present recommendations for change – positive change that will improve the lives of those affected by bipolar and dramatically reduce the risk of suicide. The first two reports ‘Bipolar Diagnosis Matters’ and ‘Hidden in Plain Sight’ were published in October 2021 and March 2022 respectively. The full Bipolar Commission report will be available in November 2022. You can read the reports and about the work of the Bipolar Commission here Get in touch at [email protected] Understanding Bipolar Partnership Resources Fundraise Volunteer Fundraising for Bipolar UK Funds are essential to enable us to continue doing all the work that we do. As well as increasing awareness and understanding of bipolar and Bipolar UK’s services, with your help we hope to raise lots of money to support our work. This will enable us to reach and support more people. 'Bipolar UK peer support groups are like a life preserver. I’ve been coming to the meetings for five years and they keep me afloat. They make me feel I’m not alone in living with this condition.’ Olly Why every penny really does make a difference £10 helps someone get peer support from our eCommunity£50 helps someone get peer support via call-back or email£500 helps 820 people find information via our website£1000 helps 13 people get peer support on Zoom£5000 helps 560 people use our services for a month to stay well If you would like more information about how to get involved in fundraising activities for Bipolar UK, then visit our events page and download our Fundraising Pack. World Bipolar Day Campaign World Bipolar Day is celebrated each year on 30 March, the birthday of Vincent Van Gogh, who was diagnosed with bipolar after he died. The vision of World Bipolar Day is to encourage understanding about what bipolar is – and isn’t – and to banish stigma from the face of the planet. How you and your Rotary club can get involved in the run-up to this World Bipolar Day 2024: We have a number of projects that your club or district can take on: Support bipolar services in your area Back a peer support group in your district Help people get a diagnosis in your community If you would like to find out more or you would like help creating a version of one of these projects to suit your area’s needs or your club’s fundraising capabilities, please get in touch, we are happy to help! [email protected] You can also: Help raise awareness of bipolar and Bipolar UK’s services in your community Fundraise so that Bipolar UK are able to offer lifesaving support to more people (commit to a target of £100, £500 or £1000) Take part in our ‘Pole to Pole’ challenge and help us collectively cover 20,004km before next World Bipolar Day https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/Poletopole Click here to find out more Fundraising ideas and stories We would love to share your fundraising stories and photos, and to discuss all of your fundraising ideas – please get in touch: [email protected] Rotary Pole-to-Pole virtual walk Why not join fellow Rotarians across Great Britain and Ireland to walk collectively from Pole to Pole for Bipolar UK? With a joint target of 20,004km, you can get active, get together for some local walks and enjoy participating in a nationwide challenge. Sign up here: https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/Poletopole 'Contributing steps every day and working as part of a team makes me feel like I'm achieving a greater good. It has motivated me to walk and exercise more, which helps my mental health.' Steffi Our Pole-to-Pole walk was inspired by our Blackpool Peer Support Group – the Bootiful Soles - who took on the challenge of virtually walking the Pan-American Highway at the beginning of lockdown. 'It’s been great fun doing the Pan-American Highway with Bootiful Soles — such an amazing distance that I thought was impossible when we started. Being out, listening to the birds and watching the trees change through the seasons has been wonderful.' Jane You can read more about the Bootiful Soles and their challenge here. More fundraising events Running events — from marathons and ultra-marathons to small local events, have a look here to find a challenge that suits you Skydiving — take on the challenge of a tandem Skydive for Bipolar UK How to donate You can donate funds raised through our website Donate here For fundraising events, you can set up a page with JustGiving or a similar platform and select us as your charity You can send cheques to Bipolar UK, 32 Cubitt Street, London WC1X 0LR For information about paying by BACS or other ways to send in your funds raised, please get in touch at [email protected] Updated: 13 July 2023 Manage Cookie Preferences