Shakespearean success!
We were delighted to welcome Troubadour Stageworks to perform Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” in Lymington in the middle of June. Our loyal Ambassador, Amanda Mann, offered her beautiful garden which provided the most glorious location for this production and we were so lucky with the weather. Tickets sold out quickly, and 300 local people were in the audience! Our local celebrity Dan Snow kindly opened the event with some lovely words about Hammersley Homes, which certainly helped to raise the profile of the work we are doing. When all costs were paid for, the occasion netted us over £3,500 so we were delighted!
An ENORMOUS thank you
We are very grateful to Age Unlimited who have supported us yet again this year, with a grant of £5,000 for the second year running, to expand our ever-growing and successful Outreach Programme. We have been in discussion with groups in Norfolk and Pembrokeshire to set up our Outreach Service in their area. It’s wonderfully rewarding to know that word is spreading about us and the projects we are working on and it’s all thanks to our generous supporters and donors that we are able to develop and extend our services to new areas. An enormous thank you from us and the vulnerable people we support.
It's Show Time!
We are very excited to be exhibiting at the famous New Forest Show this year on the 26th, 27th and 28th of July, aiming to raise our profile nationally, and raise awareness of the issues we champion. We’ve got a fabulous fun stand planned, including all sorts of interactive games and activities with a chance to win some great prizes.
Our raffle will have you in with a chance to win a week at a luxury villa in Morocco (pampering included) and our spinning wheel will offer the opportunity to win a range of exciting treats including:
- A return ferry trip to the Isle of Wight
- An indulging massage
- Signed sports memorabilia
- Lymington Cinema tickets
- Champagne
For some family fun, we will also have an interactive activity where children are encouraged to write a heartfelt message to a vulnerable person and pin it to the wall of our stand.
The New Forest Show is well worth a visit – there is so much to see and do there, to keep you occupied for a whole day and more! Please be sure to visit us on our stand – we will be delighted to see you and with a little luck, perhaps you could win one of our terrific prizes!
In the News
The purpose of ‘sectioning’ (detaining in hospital people who are in mental crisis) is to keep vulnerable, mentally ill people safe. Yet there has been an uptick in deaths among sectioned people during the pandemic due to staff shortages. The NHS is under immense pressure – but skimping on emergency mental healthcare can be fatal.
When facilities for mental illness fail in basic safety practice, the consequences can be extreme, leading to tragic events like the death of Emily Jones. We KNOW what supported accommodation facilities need to be doing to ensure safety…why is this not always achieved?
It’s now well-established there’s a genetic component to mental illness – it’s great that services like this are emerging to help people understand their genetic predispositions. Nobody should be controlled by what they inherit.
Mental illness can be painfully isolating. Sufferers may feel excluded from ‘normal’ society and employment. Networks like Bipolar India which offer practical support and – just as importantly – a sense of community are vital.
Support for mental illness must be accessible and rapid. It’s hugely concerning that sufferers may turn to harmful drugs to self-medicate instead, particularly since cannabis and other drugs may only exacerbate psychosis symptoms.
Meet the Team - Juliette Freedman, Admin Volunteer
We are delighted to welcome you as part of our team Juliette – what made you want to volunteer with us?
Mental health is a cause I am very passionate about and I was looking to make good use of my time that I had available. I felt the skills, qualities and attributes I have built up over the years would be put to good use volunteering for Hammersley Homes.
Your admins skills are of enormous value to us – where did you acquire such skills, what’s your past experience?
I have had various work experience over the years. I worked for the architect Norman Foster as an architectural researcher for many years and as a branch coordinator for the charity Families Need Fathers. At one point I also did a stint as a trainee dental nurse !!
What do you like best about your work with us?
I really enjoy working along side Louise and Lisa. The role is very varied which is exciting as I never know what Louise is going to ask me to do. I like having the opportunity to try and make a difference to people who live with mental health challenges.
Do you have any tips for others who might be considering volunteering?
The tips I have for others who might be considering volunteering is it’s a great opportunity to gain exposure to new situations and meet new people. It’s important to be flexible, muck in, be committed and enjoy helping others.
Support our work
If you are able to make regular donations to Hammersley Homes, be that £1 or £10, the progress that we can make would be enormous. If you’re considering regular donations, please click the donate button below. As always, thank you for all of your support! We really couldn’t do it without you.
Please spread the word about our vital work OR DONATE just £3 a month to change a life, by texting 3HOMES to 70580.
Texts cost £3 plus two standard rate messages and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give £3 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text 3HOMESNOINFO to 70580.
Hammersley Homes – Registered Charity Number 1180673
