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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 is trying to solve:

The good news

We are almost up and running with our Home Visits Support Service; we have employed someone to manage the scheme and we have volunteers lined up to help us with the visits. We’re so excited to be able to offer friendship and support to vulnerable people who suffer from enduring mental illnesses living independently – to relieve loneliness and help with daily tasks that they may be struggling with. More news next month!

After some extremely challenging months for new mothers, more support hubs have been set up to offer physical and psychological therapy.

We have also heard some inspiring stories from young people, volunteers and therapists and how they are dealing with their problems by helping others.

What's new with us?

We’ve partnered with Dar Louisa, a fully-staffed Moroccan riad south of the Atlas Mountains. 10% of the cost of all bookings made via the Hammersley Homes website will be donated to us!

Our founder, Louise, has challenged herself to walk the 70 mile Isle of Wight Coastal Path this July. You can support her – or join in yourself!

For Mental Health Awareness Week (10 – 16 May), our supporters got involved in our Garden Get Together fundraiser, braving the rainy weather to hold a garden party to raise awareness of mental illness and funds for Hammersley Homes’ work. Thank you to everybody who took part! Manns Cookies generously supported us and offered generous discounts on their amazing cookies and ice cream for these events.

Coming up

Volunteers’ Week (1st – 7th June)
Hammersley Homes is powered almost entirely by volunteers and unpaid trustees. Volunteers’ Week, recognised by charities across the UK, is a time to celebrate their work and say thank you. We’ll be spotlighting some of our wonderful volunteers across the week, with articles and videos about their experiences volunteering.

Carers’ Week (7th – 13th June)
6.5 million people in the UK are carers, who work unpaid to look after a family or friend with disability or illness – including mental illness. They save the public purse £136 billion every year – enough to fund staff for an entire second NHS. Carers sacrifice their relationships, health, and finances to look after others and have faced even tougher times this year. This week, we’re joining the Carers Week Campaign to Make Caring Visible and Valued. We’ll be carrying out interviews with carers for people with severe mental illness, to raise awareness of the sacrifices they make and the invaluable work they do.

Our Volunteers - Katherine's Story

Katherine Cook

What do you do at Hammersley Homes?
I’ve been volunteering with Hammersley Homes since November 2020 and I’ve been helping with their social media. I’ve been tagging and liking other posts to try and spread the word about Hammersley Homes. I’ve also been creating and posting relevant stories and campaigns such as The Big Give just before Christmas.

Why did you choose to volunteer here?
I really believe that change needs to happen around mental health and mental illness, and I think the mission of Hammersley Homes to provide a long-term solution and a home for vulnerable individuals is very needed.

What’s your favourite thing about volunteering?
I really enjoy volunteering because it is a great way to meet and work with different people, and at the same time to make a real difference to people’s lives.

Our Annual General Meeting is open to all!

All our supporters are welcome at our Annual General Meeting. Our trustees and volunteers will be discussing what we’ve achieved this year and how we can do even more in the next.
Our AGM is at 3pm on Wednesday 14th July on Zoom – contact us for the link to attend.

Support our work

Hammersley Homes couldn’t do what we do without the help of our supporters.

Donate today: just £2 a month will get us closer to our goal of offering all adults with mental illness a supported home for life.