The SIM Trust is here to provide funding for treatment so you can focus on recovery and returning to the work you love.
Who we are
With a legacy spanning over 40 years, the SIM Trust (previously known as the Sarah Isabella McClean Charitable Trust) has remained dedicated to supporting the mental health of medical practitioners. Our charity arose from a bequest from Sarah Isabella McClean following her death in the 1930s. She had been a patient at Scalebor Park Hospital in West Yorkshire and wanted to give financial support for medical professionals with mental health problems. It became a registered charity scheme in 1983, and we continue to honour her vision today.
Our Trustees, who are practising Doctors and Psychiatrists themselves, understand pressures of medical practice and its potential toll on mental health.
This Trust exists solely to bridge the gap and financially assist when NHS services cannot deliver the timely or specific mental health treatment you need. In line with our founding principles, the Trust’s purpose is to alleviate the suffering or assist in the recovery of medical practitioners in need suffering from mental illness.
We are here because we know that seeking help takes courage, and financial barriers should not stand in your way. Our mission is simple and straightforward: to help you access the care you need to recover and return to the work you love.
With a legacy spanning over four decades, we have remained dedicated to supporting the mental health of medical practitioners when they need it most.
Our Trustees are consultant psychiatrists who understand the pressures of medical practice and its toll on mental health.
We exist solely to financially assist when NHS services cannot deliver the timely or specific mental health treatment you need.
We know that seeking help takes courage, and financial barriers should not stand in your way. Our mission is to help you access care and return to the work you love.
What we offer
The Charity of Sarah Isabella McClean provides financial support for mental health treatments that are not readily available through NHS services. We do this as way of alleviating suffering or assisting in the recovery of medical practitioners who might be struggling with their mental well-being.
We offer funding to aid in obtaining psychiatric and psychological treatments that may not be accessible via NHS pathways
Our funding caters to inpatient residential treatments, outpatient services as well as psychiatric and psychological therapies
Our Trustees, being Doctors themselves understand that every doctor’s situation is unique so we encourage you to apply if you are uncertain about whether we can help with your treatment.
Who we help
You have not previously received funding from the Trust
You are a Medical Practitioner registered with the General Medical Council (GMC)
You are experiencing difficulties with your mental health
The treatment you require is not available when you need it
You are seeking treatment within the UK
Your primary concern is your mental well-being (not substance misuse alone)
Medical Practitioner registered with the GMC (General Medical Council)
Professional bodies like the BMA and Royal Colleges
Occupational Health departments in Healthcare organisations
Organisations that support doctors with mental health challenges
How to apply
Our application process is simple, straightforward and handled with utmost confidentiality by Trustees who value your mental well-being.
If you are unsure whether you qualify, we encourage you to reach out.
To send in your application you will need:
To confirm your eligibility (see previous section)
Your GP’s contact information
Details of your treating Mental health professional
Information including contact details about the facilities/persons providing your proposed treatment
Brief outline about the treatment you need and your condition
PLEASE NOTE, Applications for funding are restricted to one successful applicant per person
Your application should include:
Details of the treatment you need
Proof that this treatment is not available using NHS services when you need it
Details of any treatments tried and plans after treatment is in place
Support from your GP or Mental health professional
Send your application directly to us at SIMTrust@weightmans.com
Your application will be acknowledged within 2-3 working days
Our Trustees will review your application with expertise and understanding
You will receive a decision within 4 weeks
If approved, the treatment provider recieves the funding directly.
Do you need to apply for Financial Support and meet our criteria, or are you unsure whether you qualify?