Community Counts – news and resources to help local people
Welcome to the Community Counts column on Hello Lincoln – a round-up of the news from the groups, schemes and organisations that may just be able to provide the support or help you or your family need.
Much of the information in this first column has been supplied by Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Partnership, but we’re inviting all groups working in the wider community to get in touch with their news.
Email
And don’t forget you can find out what lots of organisations are up to through the pages of our What’s On guide – just click on the blue button link on this page.
New group for men’s mental health
Modern Masculinity CIC is a new Lincoln-based social enterprise focused on supporting men’s mental health, fostering connection, and creating meaningful community.
Although inclusive to all ages it is specifically targeting a younger generation of 18 to 30 years old as this is an age group that lacks external support.
The organisation says: “In an increasingly fast-paced and isolating world, many young men are struggling with loneliness, pressure and a lack of genuine support. Their aim is to create a grounded, stigma-free space where men can connect, reflect, and build the tools they need to thrive personally, socially, and professionally.”
It offers free weekly meetings in Lincoln, alongside workshops, courses, and retreats centred around emotional resilience, personal growth, mindset, development and rethinking modern masculinity. Meetings are free to attend.
mission is to provide men with a safe space to:
- Break isolation and build meaningful connections
- Strengthen mindset and emotional resilience
- Explore self-awareness and personal growth
- Belong to a supportive, community-led environment
For more information email
Baby Bank
The new Baby Bliss Baby Bank run by Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire is aimed at helping families with children aged 0–3 and giving pre-loved baby items a second life.
Families facing hardship can access essentials like prams, clothes, toys, and more, while reducing waste and supporting the community.
The baby bank is open It is open from Friday to Tuesday 9am to 3:50pm at Tattershall Household Waste Recycling Centre, LN4 4PD. Donations can also be dropped off at these times.
The following clean and good quality items are urgently needed:
- Clothes (ages 0–3)
- Buggies/prams (not with car seats)
- Highchairs
- Baby baths
- Moses baskets (no mattresses)
- Baby walkers
- Baby books
- Toys (ages 0–3)
Co-op food collections
Approximately 1,500kg of food, which equates to 3,571 meals, was donated by the Lincolnshire Co-op to local food banks to give them a boost as the school summer holidays got underway.
Foodbank drives took place at none stores across the county, including Branston (pictured above) and Co-op worked with local food banks to compile priority shopping lists of the most-needed items, aiming to maximise impact.
Shoppers are also able to support their local food banks throughout the year by dropping items in donation bins located in every Lincolnshire Co-op food store.
Rachel Fox, Community Co-ordinator for North and South Kesteven, led food bank drives in Branston, Barrowby, and Sleaford and collected 1,120 items, weighing 388.2kg, and equating to 924 meals.
She said: “A huge thank you to our wonderful members, customers and colleagues for your generosity and support, it’s humbling to see firsthand how many people are willing to help others in need.
“Foodbanks provide a lifeline to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, and it’s fantastic to be able to provide them with the supplies they need to continue this great work.”
NHS Mental Health Survey
The NHS has launched a major survey on people’s experiences of using mental health services.
People who have used services in April or May 2025 could be invited to take part and give their feedback on the quality of support received.
In last year’s survey, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust achieved one of the highest response rates nationally (24%) from adults aged 16 and over, who used the survey to tell the NHS what is working well and what requires improvement.
The survey can be completed as a paper questionnaire, or online by using the log in details provided or by scanning the QR code.
The survey is confidential, carried out by the Care Quality Commission and a dedicated Survey Coordination Centre at Picker. Your responses are not shared with our staff, so they will not see your answers. Participation in the survey will not affect your care or treatment. The NHS Community Mental Health Survey has Section 251 (NHS Act 2006) approval to process contact details.
The results will be published in the spring of 2026 and will be used to assess Community Mental Health Trusts in England. It will help identify key priorities, aiding the NHS mission to provide the very best care.
If you are invited to take part in the survey and need help completing it, please call 01529 222265.
For more information about the survey, please visit www.cqc.org.uk/cmhsurvey.
For information about how we use your data, please read our Privacy Policy.
Community RePaint Store
Community RePaint gives residents in access to free, reusable paint.
If you need or have any unused or part used tins of paint (at least half full), you can now donate or take free paint from the Community RePaint store at Lincoln Recycling Centre, Great Northern Terrace, Lincoln, LN5 8LG
Most paint is accepted, provided it is still useable and at least half full.
Paint accepted:
- emulsion paint
- gloss paint
- eggshell paint
- satin paint
- primers and undercoats
- floor paint
- masonry and exterior paint
- varnish and wood stain
- tile paint
Not accepted:
- paint thinners, such as white spirit
- paintbrush cleaner
- paint stripper
- wood preservatives and treatments
- pesticide products
- specialist and industrial paint
- aerosol and spray paint
- cellulose-based paint
- any paint containing lead
