Bristol-based restaurateur Ajith Jayawickrema, the founder of the Las Iguanas and Turtle Bay chains, has become the patron of mental health charity Changes Bristol.
Ajith, pictured below, will play a key role raising awareness of Changes Bristol’s free-to-access mental health peer support meetings as well as highlighting the stigma that surrounds talking about mental health. 
The Broad Quay and Gloucester Road branches of Turtle Bay will also stage fundraising activities for the charity, which was formed in 2004 and now provides 12 weekly groups across the city.
Changes Bristol’s peer support meetings are designed to give those experiencing difficulties with their mental health a safe space to discuss issues impacting their lives and take steps to improve their wellbeing. Users do not require a referral from their GP to attend.
Ajith said: “I am thrilled to be asked to become a part of this fantastic charity. Changes Bristol provides a service that many Bristolians rely on and has become an integral part of their journey to achieving better mental health.
“Mental health issues vary widely, from depression and stress to anxiety to bipolar disorder, and often people struggle to take the important steps to enable their recovery. That’s why this charity is so important. It is designed to remove the barriers and give people the tools to improve their lives.
“Unfortunately, many vital small charities do not have the resources to reach the people that need their services. I hope that the support I can offer Changes Bristol can increase the awareness of the work they do, ultimately getting more people into their groups and aiding their growth throughout the city.”
Changes Bristol chair Dan Kent added: “This is an exciting time for the charity and we are delighted to welcome Ajith on board. After meeting him it was evident that he shares our passion and commitment for Bristol’s mental wellbeing. His stature in the local and national business world is invaluable for a charity the size of ours and will play an important part in the ambitious plans to develop the charity.”
Ajith co-founded Las Iguanas in Bristol with Eren Ali, opening their first outlet in St Nicholas Street in 1991. Since 2015 it has been owned by the Cafe Rouge and Bella Italia business Casual Dining Group and now has nearly 50 branches. After leaving Las Iguanas in 2005, Ajith launch the Turtle Bay Caribbean café-bar chain, which now operates more than 40 outlets across the country.
Last year Changes Bristol provided 527 free and open-access peer-led support meetings made possible by 78 volunteers and attended by 539 individuals. It also launched three new groups – in Easton, Hartcliffe and a women’s only group in partnership with Missing Link.
