Mayor of Melksham, Councillor Saffi Rabey, has named Man Down and TeenTalk as the chosen charities for the 2026/2027 mayoral year.
At the Annual Town Meeting on Monday, 11 May 2026, Councillor Saffi Rabey was voted by Councillors to continue as Mayor for a second year, alongside Councillor Gillian Elson as the new Deputy Mayor.
Each year, the Mayor of Melksham selects charities to fundraise for throughout the year. This year, Melksham Town Council will dedicate their support to community wellbeing and mental health groups, Man Down and TeenTalk.
The work of these organisations is instrumental in creating safe spaces for open conversations, both locally in Melksham and across the South West. Melksham Town Council is proud to support and reinforce the important messages promoted by Man Down and TeenTalk by raising funds to help them continue delivering their services within our community.
About Man Down
Man Down is a non-profit community interest group dedicated to supporting men’s mental health. They provide safe, non-judgemental spaces for men, through informal, peer-led talking groups that open conversations and break the stigma surrounding men’s mental health.
Fortnightly sessions are held at Bowerhill Village Hall on Tuesdays, 19:00 to 21:00. Simply turn up. No booking, no pressure.
More information about Man Down can be found on their website: Group meetings « Man Down UK
About TeenTalk
TeenTalk provides a confidential counselling service for young people, aged 10 to 25, and support for parents and carers worried about their child’s mental health or behaviour. Based at The Canberra Centre in Melksham, the registered charity works to improve the emotional wellbeing of young people and their families.
More information about TeenTalk can be found on their website: Home Page – TeenTalk
If you would like to support a fundraising event in Melksham, please contact Melksham Town Council via email at towncouncil@melksham-tc.gov.uk or by phone on 01225 704 187.
Following an introduction meeting with Man Down, one of the new chosen charities, Saffi Rabey, Mayor of Melksham, commented:
“Supporting Man Down as one of my charities this year was incredibly important to me. Last year, when I supported FearFree, we highlighted vital issues around domestic abuse and the need for safe support for those affected. This year, I wanted to build on that by shining a light on men’s mental health, an area that is still too often overlooked or not spoken about enough.
Too many men feel they have to struggle in silence, and organisations like Man Down play a crucial role in breaking that stigma, offering support, and creating spaces where people feel able to talk openly. As Mayor, I believe it’s essential that we use our platform to raise awareness, encourage conversation, and remind everyone that it’s okay to ask for help.
By supporting both charities across my term, I hope we’ve helped start more conversations, challenge stigma, and show that our community stands together in supporting mental health for everyone.”