Northampton mental health charity to bury time capsule to be dug up in 40 years' time

A local charity which is celebrating 40 years of working with people with mental health illnesses is burying a time capsule to mark its anniversary.

Workbridge, in Bedford Road, is part of St Andrews and offers people with mental health issues, learning disabilities and brain injuries the chance to learn work skills.

As one of the members of staff was looking into the charity’s history, he realised just how much the service had changed over the course of its existence, so thought it would be a good idea to bury a time capsule that details what the organisation was like in 2020.

Marketing and digital media coordinator, Alex Simmons, said: “Everything event wise we had planned for our 40th anniversary has been postponed.

“The time capsule became more and more topical as the year went on, especially with how memorable it has been.

“I thought it would be something fun to do that everyone can get involved with.

“When I was looking into our history, I found out a lot more about who we are and realised there is quite a lot that happens here that people don’t always know about, so I thought this would also be a good way for people in the future to learn about the history.”

Service users have helped staff members to make items to be buried, including ceramics and wooden pieces.

A face covering, information about what it was like to work in mental health services during 2020 and a story from someone about how the pandemic affected them will also be buried in a courtyard on the premises that is not open to the public, under a ‘beautiful’ tree.

Alex added: “We have made a sign from cedar wood as it should last for the 40 years we need it to.

“Although it isn’t a Covid capsule, it is relevant to this year that will be memorable for decades to come.

“We want people to open it in 2060 and see how much Workbridge has changed and see what it was like in 2020.

“We want people to see how much more open society may or may not become.”

The burial ceremony will take place tomorrow (October 6), with members of staff and service users present.

Anne Jones, the wife of the charity’s late founder - Michael Jones - will also be in attendance at the ceremony.

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