
What's going on?
Without the safety, security, and sense of community that long-term housing provides, people living with mental illness are at risk of falling through the cracks and becoming hospitalised, homeless, or imprisoned. We have created a monthly round-up of news demonstrating how important it is to make sure that the right support is available and accessible to those in need – these are the problems Hammersley Homes are trying to solve:
- Children are facing record high waiting lists for mental health services
- Social workers fear the Covid-19 pandemic will traumatise children
- Winterbourne View: Families demand overhaul of ‘broken’ care system – BBC News It has been 10 years since a BBC documentary revealed the abuse of patients at an assessment and treatment unit for people with learning disabilities. Over 2,000 people with learning disabilities are being held in similar units around the country which are intended for short term treatment but the average stay is over 5 years.
- Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys health trust warned over patient safety – BBC News A psychiatric intensive care trust has been warned over safety failures following the death of a patient.
- Mental health: Call for Londonderry crisis service funding plan – BBC News There have been renewed calls for a long-term funding plan for a Londonderry mental health crisis service. Especially since the pandemic, the need for a sufficient mental health crisis service is crucial yet it does not receive the funding it needs to be sufficient. This is highlighted by cases such as Levi Taylor’s: Covid-19: Mum says special needs son has regressed in lockdown – BBC News
Please see links below for more information and guidance surrounding mental health services that are available:
- Guide to CAMHS (youngminds.org.uk)
- Request criteria CAMHS – Children and Family Health (childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk)
- The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition News – The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (thescsc.org.uk)
- Half of Scottish youth stuck on year-long mental health waiting list are from NHS Lothian | Edinburgh News (scotsman.com)
- Revealed: How CAMHS are restricting GPs’ referrals – Pulse Today
- Cruse Bereavement Care – for bereavement advice and support
- Rape Crisis England & Wales – for women and girls who have been raped or sexually abused
- Relate – for relationship advice and counselling
- Samaritans – for people to talk about whatever’s troubling them at any time
- Victim Support – for victims and witnesses of crime
You may also be able to access support groups through your local community, church, or social services.
What's new with us?

Isle of Wight Walk
Our founder, Louise, has challenged herself to walk the 70-mile Isle of Wight Coastal Path in July. This fundraising campaign has already brought in over £10,000, which enables us to provide much needed support to more beneficiaries – so a BIG thank you to all our fabulous donors for your support!
Our most intrepid and wonderful new supporter, April Edwards, is going to join Louise on her Isle of Wight coastal path challenge – at the inspirational age of 80, April is going to don her walking boots, and accompany Louise on this 70-mile fundraising walk – how amazing! We feel extremely lucky and honoured. Thank you ALL who have donated to this campaign – we are immensely grateful. Our two walkers need as much encouragement as they can get, and any and all donations are extremely gratefully received.
Click here to donate in support of Louise and April.
Volunteers Week (1st – 7th June)
This week was the perfect time to say thank you to our wonderful volunteers. Check out our social media pages to watch and read interviews with our team.
Carers Week (7th – 13th June)
6.5 million people in the UK are unpaid carers, and they save the state £136 billion each year – that’s enough to fund an entire second NHS workforce. We campaigned on social media to get them the recognition and thanks that they so deserve
Small Charity Week (14th – 19th June 2021)
97% of UK charities have an annual turnover of less than £1 million, but have a phenomenal contribution to society. We’re proud to be small but vital.
Charitable Travel
Looking to get away this summer? Book your holiday – whether abroad or in the UK – through Charitable Travel and donate 5% of your holiday price to us at no extra cost! https://charitable.travel
Coming up
Virtual Volunteering Fair (14th July)
Join Community First’s Virtual Volunteering Fair to learn first-hand about the varied and exciting volunteering roles available in Hampshire: over 40 charities are participating. Click here to pre-book your place for free.
AGM Meeting (14th July)
Our AGM will take place via Zoom on 14th July at 3pm. Anyone is welcome to join – please contact us for the zoom link.
Christmas Card Competition (deadline 15th July)
We’re excited to launch our annual Christmas Card competition. This year we’ve opened the competition to aspiring artists under the age of 16. The 15 winners will see their designs printed on up to 500 packs of cards as well as receive 100 packs of their own. Email a high-resolution scan of your design to christmas2021 at hammersleyhomes.org by 15th July 2021 to enter.
Online Surveys
A key aspect of our work is research, to ensure we can provide exactly what local communities need. We are collecting information about supported housing options in Hampshire: if you work for an organisation that provides supported living for people with mental illness, and wouldn’t mind completing our very short and easy survey, we would be extremely grateful; please follow this link.
We are also investigating how probation services deal with ex-prisoners with histories of mental illness. Please follow these links to help us:
For ex-prisoners
For loved ones of ex-prisoners
For probation services workers
Meet the team

We’re excited to welcome Crystal Bloomfield, our Home Visits Support Service Coordinator. She’ll be managing this programme, which aims to provide practical and emotional support to people with severe mental illness in their own home, helping them to live independently but safely. We’ll be fully up and running next month – watch this space!
Support our work
Hammersley Homes couldn’t do what we do without the help of our supporters.
Donate today: just £3 a month will get us closer to our goal of offering all adults with mental illness a supported home for life.