Spotlight on Purpose: Giving Back Through Creativity
For Paul Newman, supporting Mind through Work for Good is rooted in lived experience, and in the importance of purpose for personal wellbeing.
“I have had my own mental health problems through my working life,” Paul shared.
After retiring, Paul developed his art practice as a way to support his own mental health. What began as a creative outlet soon became something more meaningful.
“It was very important for my own mental health to have a purpose for my creativity.”
Wanting to give back, Paul decided to support a mental health charity, and was introduced to Work for Good through Mind, giving him a simple, compliant way to do so
“My ‘business’ only exists for the purpose of fundraising and I work alone. I do not make any financial gain from my sales.”
Through his artwork, Paul donates all proceeds to Mind, only deducting direct production costs when they occur. Paul personally funds the raw materials himself, ensuring that as much as possible goes directly to the charity.
He promotes his work through a personal website, social media, and local craft fairs, and has produced an annual calendar of his artwork for several years. On average, Paul sells around 50 units each year, transforming creativity into consistent, meaningful charitable support.
Since early 2022, Paul has donated through Work for Good on 24 occasions, providing Mind with regular, unrestricted income to support its vital mental health services.
Customers connect deeply with both the artwork and the purpose behind it.
“Most customers are very supportive of my goal.”
That shared sense of purpose has also led to new opportunities. Paul has recently been contacted by his local Mind organisation to explore how his artwork could be used more widely through their own initiatives - a powerful example of how grassroots fundraising can strengthen community connections.
This story reflects the heart of what Work for Good enables: individuals and small ventures turning personal passion into purposeful impact, while supporting their own wellbeing along the way.
Key message:
Purpose-driven giving isn’t limited to large organisations. With the right framework, individuals and creative projects can give legally, transparently, and sustainably - creating meaningful impact for charities and positive outcomes for themselves.