The unlicensed charity collectors claiming to support a mental health charity have been removed from a town centre
16:39, 15 May 2026Updated 18:05, 15 May 2026
Stock image of a coin being placed in a charity collection(Image: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
Illicit charity collectors working for a group which claims to support mental health good causes have been removed from a Staffordshire town.
The collectors, known as ‘chuggers’, were said to be from Hectic Minds, which says it raises ‘funds and awareness for mental health’.
But the collectors did not have a licence from in Tamworth Borough Council to allow them to carry out the fundraising activities and were moved on from the town centre on Thursday (May 14).
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Hectic Minds says its aim is to ‘help those with mental health issues step onto the employment ladder whilst also raising funds for charities’.
It says on its website it offers work for people who ‘who suffer from issues such as anxiety and depression’.
And says: “How much a person can earn is completely up to them as we offer a commission based rate of pay, with a zero retainer selling our wristbands.”
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The organisation says it works on a similar model to homeless social enterprise, Big Issue, where people sell its magazines.
It says as well as offering work to those who ‘struggle with several mental health conditions’ to ‘earn an honest living’, it also has made sizeable donations to the UK’s leading mental health charity, MIND.
Hectic Minds says any profits it makes are ‘invested back into the organisation’.
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But Tamworth Borough Council said as those claiming to work for Hectic Minds did not have the appropriate permissions they were moved on.
The authority also said members of the public should not make donations to any unauthorised collectors.
A spokesperson for the borough council said: “We’re aware of individuals currently operating in the town centre claiming to collect donations on behalf of Hectic Minds without permission from the council.
“Our officers are attending the area and are asking the individuals to leave. We would advise residents and visitors not to make any donations to unauthorised collectors.
“All collections within the town centre must be authorised by the council and collectors should be able to provide valid identification and permission when asked.
“If you have any concerns, please speak to a council officer or report suspicious activity to the police. Thank you for your cooperation.”
BirminghamLive has approached Hectic Minds for a comment but at the time of publication has yet to hear back.