A RUSSIAN ex-banker granted political asylum in the UK, has helped fund a new mental health scheme in the borough.
Andrey Borodin and his wife, Tatiana, have given £250,000 to Berkshire Community Foundation, to fund an 18-month pilot scheme to help people suffering from anxiety, isolation and stress.
They previously donated £1 million to The Royal Berkshire Hospital to help in the pandemic.
The couple live at Park Place Estate, a £140 million mansion in Remenham, previously dubbed Britain’s most expensive home.
Council leader, Cllr John Halsall said: “This fantastic new service is coming thanks to the generosity of Mr and Mrs Borodin; I want to thank them personally.”
This was echoed by the Lib Dem group, which called it a “very generous gift”.
“If the pilot proves successful, we will make sure there is funding in place for it to continue – but the incredible donation has allowed us to start this now and that means we can start helping people,” Cllr Halsall said.
The leader also encouraged other philanthropic donors to approach him.
But this approach has been criticised by leader of Wokingham Labour, Cllr Andy Croy.
Cllr Croy said: “I would much rather we changed a couple of the top council tax bands than have our borough rely on the whimsy of the rich.”
Mr Borodin is a former President of the Bank of Moscow. He, and his deputy were dismissed from office in April 2011, over concerns of alleged abuse of authority.
Between November 2011 and May 2016, he was on an Interpol Red Notice, as a suspect in a case of alleged fraud committed in the Bank of Moscow.
In March 2013, Mr Borodin was granted political asylum in the UK. He has previously accused the Kremlin of ordering his prosecution.
Cllr Croy said he was glad to see Mr Borodin is safe in the UK, and stressed the importance of the country providing a “safe haven from political persecution, from wherever the persecution comes”.
He added: “A quarter of a million pounds is a lot of money. It is more than the Emergency Winter Covid-19 Grant received by the borough from the Government.
“Mr Borodin’s past in Russian financial systems means we may be linking public service funding with a world about which we know little of, but which we should be extremely wary.
“There is something slightly obscene about rich people having a whip round to fund essential services that are underfunded by a Conservative government.”
Cllr Croy called for a government that “taxes and spends fairly, including the proper funding of local authorities” instead of relying on philanthropy.
The mental health scheme will focus on recognising issues early and intervening to prevent conditions deteriorating.
It aims to ensure timely referrals to specialists, coordinate support available and promote awareness of issues in the community.
Based in Wokingham town centre as well as in GP surgeries around the borough, the service aims to be inclusive, and meet the wellbeing needs of borough residents.
It will be run by mental health charity Oxfordshire MIND and develop non-medical interventions such as social prescribing, self-management, peer support, signposting, and activities.
Wokingham Borough Council hopes it will support roughly 1,000 people per year.
Cllr Charles Margetts, executive member for health said the service will build on the council’s work with the charities during the pandemic.
“It will allow us to work with Oxfordshire MIND and other organisations to reduce the levels and impact of problems such as isolation, anxiety and stress,” he said. “I am particularly delighted as Oxfordshire MIND has a great track record of service – with a satisfaction rate of about 90% where it currently operates.”
Cllr David Hare, the Liberal Democrat lead for adult care services also thanked the Borodins for their “very generous gift”.
He added: “The increased mental health service was developing slowly. This gift has meant that it can begin far quicker. With the tragedy of the pandemic mental health services will certainly be under more pressure with an increased workload.
“This service, providing early intervention before it becomes too serious, along with prompt support for people with mental health issues and referral to particular specialists, if necessary, are just what is needed at this time.”
Jon Yates, CEO of Berkshire Community Foundation said he was delighted to be partnering with the council to deliver the “wonderful gift from Tatiana and Andrey Borodin in support of the mental health of local people”.
He added: “Berkshire Community Foundation have supported more than 200 charities and voluntary groups supporting people with a range of needs through the coronavirus crisis knowing that there will be long-term effects that will require specialist services.
“The programme being funded at Oxfordshire MIND will be able to meet these needs as they continue to emerge.”
