Text und Fotografie: Nadine Wilmanns

Lewis Robertson / SANE

Portrait Stories: In Conversation with Lewis Robertson from SANE

Mental health affects every part of our society. Around 1 in 5 adults experiences a mental health condition, yet demand for support continues to grow while public funding continues to be cut. Behind every statistic are organisations – and people – working every day to make a difference.

Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph and speak with Lewis Robertson, who works for SANE, a UK mental health charity that has been supporting people for over 40 years.

Choosing Purpose

For Lewis, working for a charity wasn’t something he stumbled into—it was always the plan.

“I always had the plan to work for a charity. Purpose was important to me and I wanted to work somewhere that creates social impact.”

On the surface, Lewis’ days may look much like anyone else’s: meetings, emails and fundraising. But every partnership he builds helps sustain services that people rely on—from mental health research and creative programmes to callback services and regular support for those struggling.

Lewis mentioned that SANE doesn’t accept National Lottery funding. I love that! While it undoubtedly means forgoing a significant source of income, it also feels consistent with the charity’s mission. After all, gambling addiction can have a devastating impact on mental health, affecting not only those who gamble but also their families and loved ones. It reminded me that purpose isn’t only about what an organisation does, but sometimes also about how it chooses to do it.

Meeting volunteers and hearing first-hand about the impact SANE has on people’s lives is what keeps Lewis motivated.

Opportunity to explore

Meeting volunteers and hearing first-hand about the impact SANE has on people’s lives is what keeps Lewis motivated.

When I asked Lewis what difference he hopes to make, he said: “To make life a little bit easier. Allow people to explore what they want to explore and not be bogged down by their mental health. And allow people to be who they want to be.”

As a photographer, these are the stories I love telling. A portrait can show more than a face—it can reveal the purpose behind the person. It was a privilege to meet Lewis and to hear about the work he and everyone at SANE are doing to support people living with mental health challenges.

You can find out more about SANE here: www.sane.org.uk