Tough Enough To care is a mental health charity with a mission to remove the stigma surrounding mental health and to encourage conversations about mental health. The Project launch date has been chosen to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day because the vehicle we are purchasing, is a symbol that there is help and support available to anyone who may be struggling and is or has contemplated suicide. Out of lockdown, we provide weekly male support meetings at locations across the West Midlands, as well as delivering mental health talks to West Midlands Fire and Police services, national amateur sports clubs, male dominated working environments and community groups.

The Tough Truck:

The Tough Truck project launch is the start of a fund raising mission to raise upwards of £50K to purchase and run a vehicle that can be used at events around the country to start conversations about mental health. It is a vehicle for change so we can reach out to those who may not reach out themselves and where taking the initial steps through the door to a support group may feel overwhelming.The Tough Truck will deliver the support to you. The truck will also be used to promote Mental Health services and organisations whilst also being used as a fund raising vehicle to raise money for new and ongoing projects.

In certain circumstances, the truck will be used as a rapid reaction vehicle to support people who are in crisis and will aid in the search for missing and vulnerable people. 

Why TOUGH TRUCK?

The main aim of the Tough Truck will be to beat the stigma around talking about mental health. The truck was named as an extension of Tough Enough To Care. It aims to beat stigma around tough men and women talking about mental health. Our hope is that a Macho name will encourage curiosity amongst men and women wherever we go.

The Vehicle

A converted VW transporter camper van. Being small enough to attend numerous locations and be set up within minutes of arrival. Whilst also offering a safe space within the vehicle to talk in private away from crowds if people wish. The vehicle will provide accommodation for team members when attending events and talks, therefore reducing operational running costs for the charity.

The Tough Truck will be sign written by our partners at The Vinyl Guys, offering clear branding on the front and sides with full contact details on the back doors to act as a mobile advert when in transit. We will add QR codes at points on the vehicle so people can scan the code and be directed to our social media page where they can follow the vans location, request a van visit to their local area and support the van financially via links to our JustGiving page.

The Tough Truck will have a wind out awning and weatherproof lighting, so that we can operate in all weathers, day and night.

Internally, there will be a catering set up, allowing team members to offer hot and cold refreshments on long events, overnight stays and rapid responses. We will carry cold and wet weather clothing, first aid kits and a basic survival kit when joining searches for vulnerable people.