Lidl Ireland completes Jigsaw charity partnership with record €3m in funds raised

LIDL Ireland has completed its six-year charity partnership with Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health in Ireland, by announcing it has raised €3m in funds for the charity.

Jigsaw provides free confidential, professional support to young people aged 12-25 in 14 centres across Ireland and online.

Lidl Ireland has partnered with Jigsaw since 2018 and twice extended its contract with the charity to continue delivering vital mental health initiatives and services to those in need across Ireland, particularly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and its significant impact on youth mental health.

Supported by its team of more than 6,000 employees and two million weekly shoppers across the country, Lidl Ireland has smashed its initial fundraising target to deliver €3m in support to fund vital charity services and reach thousands of young people across the country struggling with their mental health.

Launched in 2018 and delivering immediate and significant impact, the partnership between Lidl and Jigsaw quickly raised awareness and trust of the charity amongst the Irish public, growing from an awareness baseline of just 24% in 2018 to 61% in 2023. Trust in Jigsaw baseline also grew from 64% to 72% in the same period. Throughout the lifetime of the partnership, Jigsaw also saw a significant increase in referrals to its services across the country, rising by 49% between 2018 and 2023, with the number of appointments offered to young people in the same period jumping by more than 59%. The fundraising achievement was marked at a celebratory event at the Radisson Blu, Athlone, and was attended by more than 135 representatives from Lidl and Jigsaw, as well as service users and partners that have benefitted from Jigsaw’s bespoke programmes and initiatives, delivered in partnership with Lidl Ireland.

Speaking at the event, JP Scally, CEO at Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland, said: “After a fantastic six years, it’s with a heavy heart that we say a fond farewell to our charity partner, Jigsaw. Whilst the hugely successful partnership has come to an end, we are pleased to announce that, together with our customers, we have raised a staggering €3m in funding to ensure this vital charity continues to deliver for young people in need across Ireland.

“This was all made possible through the sustained, committed efforts of Lidl employees in every store, warehouse, and office across the country and the generosity and support of our valued customers and I’d like to thank each and every person who helped us reach this fundraising milestone.”

Commenting on the partnership, Dr Joseph Duffy, CEO of Jigsaw said: “Lidl’s support over the last six years has been game-changing for our charity. It has been a privilege to partner with a company that bought into our vision from day one and continually demonstrated their commitment to working with us to change the conversation on youth mental health in Ireland. Together, we have changed how Ireland talks about, responds to, and supports young people’s mental health.”