Huntingdon Starbucks partners with CPSL Mind on store opening day

The local mental health charity Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire (CPSL) Mind officially opened the new Starbucks store today in Towerfields Leisure Park, Huntingdon.

The launch event was attended by Martin McTigue, Regional Director of Operations of Starbucks, Store Manager, Christina Salisbury, and Jade who is part of the Starbucks team and who shares her own personal connection to mental health below.

CPSL Mind’s Fundraising and Events Coordinator Debbie Glonek cut the ribbon to mark the opening and the charity partnership. CPSL Mind aims to collaborate with the coffee chain by hosting fundraising events and providing vital support and information to customers and Starbucks’ staff teams.

Debbie Glonek, CPSL Mind’s Fundraising and Events Co-Ordinator, at CPSL Mind said, “We are absolutely delighted to be working in partnership with Starbucks on a regional level in 2026 and it’s so heartwarming to hear how the business is supporting its staff teams and is helping to raise awareness of mental health and of CPSL Mind. We have been fortunate to work with Starbucks in previous years, so we’re excited to be united again and look forward to more collaborations, events, conversations, and coffee! Thank you so much to the Starbucks team for hosting a brilliant launch event and for their continued support.”

Members of the public were treated to an expert barista tasting session with food pairing and members of the CPSL Mind team were available to speak to and shared about the charity’s services. In view of the rising temperatures, iced coffees were a firm favourite on the order menu.

1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health challenge in any given year. It’s therefore really important to know where to seek help.

CPSL Mind is a local Mind charity and therefore responsible for raising its own funds. Fundraising helps CPSL Mind to support, develop, and grow its vital services across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, and South Lincolnshire.

CPSL Mind runs a number of local services, such as its Good Life Service that includes its Good Mood Cafes. The charity also has a dedicated perinatal service for new parents, and its Sanctuary referral service provides a safe space for people experiencing a mental health crisis.

During 2025/26, CPSL Mind supported more than 8,000 local people.

Every week, CPSL Mind Supports approximately 160 people per week in the community at its Good Mood Cafes and in the past year has engaged with 197 individuals through its perinatal services.

Jade has a very personal connection to mental health.

“My connection to mental health is that I unfortunately lost my brother to suicide about three years ago (2023). Mental health is not really spoken about enough and I do believe if it was spoken about more, he would potentially still be here. People think mental health is someone who is sad, my brother was the happiest guy alive. It happened and he suffered in silence.  

“With my brother, there were no warning signs of suicide. Mental health is that silent killer; he was the most loving guy, super confident, but I wonder if he was too proud to talk about his feelings. He was 22 years old when he passed away. I’m older, he was my younger brother. It was devastating – you never think you will get that news. The night before he was out with his friends having a great time and living life. Mental health is definitely silent unless it’s spoken about. We need to get rid of the taboo – it doesn’t make you any weaker. Just walk up to someone and ask if they have five minutes for a chat.  

“I’ve always been lucky enough to not go through it myself, but I’ve been touched by it, so it’s always at the forefront of my mind at the moment. If it was spoken about and people knew about the resources you provided, I could potentially help. It’s very close to my heart, very fresh. 

“It’s hard around the anniversary. I’ve got a great support system; my working team are really supportive, but I think about people more and people’s mental health more around the time of the anniversary. I do like to promote CPSL Mind in case anyone is struggling. Starbucks is huge – we have our own platforms to support colleagues, called Headspace. We really advocate for mental health, it’s so important. Everyone gets touched by it at some point in their life. You don’t have to be at the point of ending your life – just knowing that you’ve got someone who you can go and talk to is so important and to talk about anything. I think CPSL Mind provides that. I’m super excited to partner up with you and I think it’s a super important charity to speak about and advertise.  

“It’s so important to look after yourself. Mental health is just as important as your physical health. It’s OK to not be OK. When you go through a loss like that regarding mental health, it definitely does make you think about your mental health more and the mental health of those people around you.  

“At the funeral, his friends said to me ‘We weren’t that friend group that spoke about our feelings’ they now get together and celebrate my brother’s life, and I think it’s made more of an awareness to check in with each other, which is nice. As a young lad sitting around having a coffee, or having a pint, and talking about how you’re feeling is not the norm. It’s really nice to see his friends in that capacity and that they feel comfortable to do that.  

“Mental health can hit anyone at any point. You don’t have to go through something serious to be affected.  

“My wellbeing toolbox is about relying on other people for support. I’m lucky to have a great support network to lean on, people who know me very well. They can see the trigger points and come to me and ask for a chat. If burnout is happening, or if work is getting stressful, just take some time. I also think journalling is good. Writing your thoughts down and reflecting. If I’ve had a heavy day, I just aim to get my thoughts out. I live alone and it’s important to share what’s on my mind.  

“There’s no shame. Every single person you come across in life will need some sort of mental health support. CPSL Mind is that unbiased, non-judgemental ear that people might not get. Most of the time it’s easier to share your feelings with a stranger – I would feel more comfortable talking to CPSL Mind than with a parent. You feel ten times lighter when you share. CPSL Mind is the listening ear, and I think you’re super important.” 

Store Manager, Christina Sailsbury takes an active role to support the team and told CPSL Mind, “When it comes to being a manager, you must consider people’s mental health and how to deal with things. I think there’s so much more information available now to support people. We have a learning platform, and people can get support for mental health, including financial support. When we go through a return to work, we are able to have that information there for us. We then provide a support contact and leave the employee to reach out for help. 

 “People are open – employees will start talking about their wellbeing challenges on the front counter, so we do find the time and space away from work to talk about wellbeing. It’s good that people are more open and not silent.  CPSL Mind are genuine people – you put in so much, it’s not a script. People in the community are with real people who can help you. If you go on the CPSL Mind website, then you can read people’s stories, see how real it is and see how much CPSL Mind help. People are always scared to take that first step, but you will be surprised how the weight is lifted just by taking that step. The CPSL Mind team are really supportive and they will help you – If people didn’t want to help people, then they wouldn’t be working for the charity.”

Anybody can experience crisis, for many different reasons and in many different ways. You may be overwhelmed by your emotions, feeling gripped by anxiety, hearing or seeing things that are frightening you or experiencing suicidal thoughts. Whatever your experience, it is nothing to be ashamed of and talking to someone could be the first step to feeling better. If you need support, you can visit CPSL Mind’s Get Help Now page: https://www.cpslmind.org.uk/get-help-now/

CPSL Mind runs community drop-in Good Mood Cafe sessions every week throughout Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire.  The Huntingdon session takes place every Tuesday (excluding bank holidays) at 10:00am – 11.30am in Huntingdon Library, Princes St, Huntingdon, PE29 3PA.

For more information, visit: https://www.cpslmind.org.uk/how-we-help/good-life-service/good-mood-cafes/

Ends

Notes to editors

Media contacts:

For further information and/or to arrange an interview with a spokesperson from CPSL Mind, please contact:

Olivia Hubbard, Communications and Engagement Manager

Email: Olivia.hubbard@cpslmind.org.uk

Mobile: 07759 838902 Office: 0300 303 4363

About CPSL Mind

Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire Mind (CPSL Mind) is the local mental health charity in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire and supports local people in their recovery from mental health challenges, promotes wellbeing, and campaigns against stigma and discrimination.

We believe that no-one should have to face a mental health problem alone. If you are facing difficulties with your emotional or mental health and are looking for support on your road to recovery, we are here for you.  http://www.cpslmind.org.uk