Mental health charity Mind made 91 redundancies last year as part of a restructure as it experienced financial hardship, it has reported.
Mind paid £1.58m in redundancy and termination payments, its accounts for the year to March 2024 show.
The charity confirmed that 91 redundancies were made across the charity, including at senior leadership level.
Mind has now reported a financial deficit of more than £15m for two consecutive years, with its staff costs and number of employees growing during the same period.
‘Financially difficult decisions’
Chief executive Sarah Hughes told Civil Society: “Like so many charities across the UK, Mind has had to make financially difficult decisions about who, how and what we focus on.
“That’s why in spring 2023 the charity began a strategy review and embarked on a change programme to make sure we are best placed to have the greatest, most sustainable impact for beneficiaries, especially those with the biggest mental health needs.
In her introduction to the latest accounts, Hughes said: “We had to restructure, and this was tough. I’d like to thank everyone who helped make the process as smooth as it could be.”
Its restructuring also included a new directorate that was put in place in November 2023. Mind’s directorates now consist of: social change, social impact, Mind Cymru, commercial income, fundraising income, finance and infrastructure and deputy CEO office.
‘Significant volatility in recent years’
The charity’s total income in 2023-24 grew £3.5m to £62.7m while its total expenditure was £79.8m, a £7.2m increase from last year.
Of the £62.7m income, 41% came from charity shops and 49% came from donations and legacies of £17.4m, which was a 5% decrease from the previous year.
Its account states: “The external financial environment has been characterised by significant volatility in recent years and the challenges have impacted Mind’s income generation, so we have refocused expenditure to best support those in need.”
Increased staff costs and salaries
Mind’s overall staff costs increased from £33.9m in 2022-23 to £39.6m in 2023-24.
It had an average of 1,010 employees in 2022-23 and grew to 1,094 employees in 2023-24.
The charity’s number of higher-paid employees, ranging from £60,000 to £150,000 increased from 34 to 55 over the same period.
Its £60,000 to £70,000 salary bracket had the most newcomers, increasing from 13 employees in 2023 to 26 employees in 2024.
Hughes, the chief executive, had the highest salary of £140,000.
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