The Edinburgh Charity Fashion Show is one of the largest student-run fashion shows in Britain. Every year up to fifty models walk beautiful venues wearing top brands’ garments in support of charities raising money for important causes. This year’s theme is Solstice and ECFS have chosen to accompany this theme with the slogan The Light is Coming...Don’t Get Left in the Dark. Considering their chosen charity is the mental health charity Penumbra, this theme and slogan is highly appropriate.

 

Penumbra was founded in 1985 and is one of Scotland’s largest mental health charities. They aim to promote mental health and wellbeing for all, as well as prevent mental ill health for the people that are at risk and provide one-to-one support to people with mental health problems. They have social inclusion activities, support groups and supported living and accommodation in non-judgemental environments. They also have Scotland’s only 24hr helpline.

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Penumbra’s 2016-2020 strategic plan describes how they hope to achieve their vision of allowing sufferers to feel accepted, recovered and supported:

 

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“ Recovery | To ensure that all mental health services and activities are hopeful, personalised and recovery focused.

 

People | To ensure a highly valued, skilled and involved workforce.

 

Innovation | To develop, support and provide innovative responses that; promote recovery, social inclusion and citizenship for people with mental health problems.

 

Influence | To promote mental health and wellbeing in communities by influencing; policy makers, funders and others.

 

Improvement | To ensure quality and continuous improvement in all business processes to achieve our mission. “

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