Residents at our Highams Lodge community in Highams Park embraced the spirit of The Great British Bake Off on Friday, hosting a colourful bake sale that showcased the baking talents of residents and staff while raising an impressive £530 towards a community go-karting trip at TeamSport in East London. Residents and staff baked a huge array of cakes catering to different dietary requirements and worked hard to create a welcoming atmosphere for passers-by to stop for a sweet treat. Andrea Hurley, CHT’s Fundraising Officer, said: "The bake sale was such a celebration of creativity and community. Everyone was so complimentary about our stand, and it was lovely how it brought together residents, staff and neighbours.” She added: "Our residents chose a go-karting experience because it offers the chance to build confidence and for them to enjoy a positive day out together. We were overwhelmed by everyone's generosity in helping us raise £530, and we're now hoping for one final push to reach our £675 target." With just £145 left to raise, every donation will help ensure every resident can take part in this confidence-building and joy-filled experience. Donate today and help us cross the finish line: www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/highamslodgeGoKarting

Making the decision to move on from our mental health recovery communities, especially when it’s a place you’ve called home, is a significant milestone in our residents’ journey. In this blog post, we explore what makes a transition from care successful, through a conversation with Ryan Burke, the Senior Service Manager at our Therapeutic Recovery Communities. Ryan discusses how someone might start to feel ready to move on, the importance of collaborative planning, and how our residents’ voice must be central to every transition from our care. If you are a resident in one of our services, we hope this post provides some insight and reassurance about what moving on from our support might look like for you. And if you are a family member, care team or other healthcare professional, we hope you find it useful for understanding how we support residents on their journey to recovery. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and describe what life is like in our Therapeutic Recovery Communities? My name is Ryan, and I’ve been the Senior Service Manager for CHT’s four Therapeutic Recovery Communities since 2022. Our Therapeutic Recovery Communities in Richmond, Southall and Surbiton are homes where our residents have private bedrooms and shared living facilities, and where our team supports them to participate in therapeutic activities and community life. Each provides a supportive, structured environment where residents develop life and social skills through groups and activities, and by taking shared responsibility for running the community. All residents have access to regular, onsite one-to-one psychotherapy, and we support them to develop the skills and confidence to manage difficult emotions, their symptoms and life’s challenges. Supporting residents to build positive relationships with peers and staff is central to our approach, as is helping residents have a say in how we can improve our services, make informed choices about their care, set goals, and, over time, take on more responsibility. The journey to recovery takes time, and no two journeys are the same. It’s hard work, and it can take a lot of courage to open yourself up to being part of a community, especially if you haven't had many supportive relationships in the past or if you’ve been let down by services. That’s why a big part of what we do is to provide time and encouragement to create space to discover what’s possible. How do you know when someone is ready to leave the community? Our support is offered for as long as it’s needed, so there isn’t a timeframe that people have to work to in order to be ‘ready’ to leave care. There also isn’t a set definition of what it feels like to be ready either - that’s something that's deeply personal to each resident. What is important is that the decision of whether and when to leave our care is made collaboratively with the resident, and it’s something that’s grown and negotiated over time. There are lots of things to consider together when planning to move on, like how moving on fits with a resident’s recovery goals, how well they feel able to manage day-to-day life, such as managing medication or their tenancy, accessing support and advocating for themselves; these are all positive indicators of readiness. How do you plan with residents how to move on from care? Planning for move-on begins early in a resident's recovery, and forms part of their recovery plan. We’ll start discussions through residents’ quarterly reviews, and that will usually involve bringing in their wider support network, such as their social worker, care coordinator, or community mental health team. When they feel ready to move on, together with the resident, we set a timeframe to manage the process. We always make it clear that decisions won't get made in just one meeting - it's usually over the course of several reviews. With a planned move-on, we’d usually put together a three - to six-month plan. But sometimes time frames can be shorter due to an urgent or immediate need. Either way, with a timeline in place, it’s then all about making sure the resident feels supported, because change and leaving your home can feel unsettling. How do you manage the challenges of moving on, and what support do you provide? Anticipating the challenges of moving on and talking openly about them can provide reassurance. The more information somebody has, the easier it is for them to manage the transition. It also gives our residents more opportunities to share what is happening in their lives. We always reassure residents that their needs might change over time, and that’s completely normal and part of the journey. Wanting more or different support is OK, and it’s something we can plan for together - it’s not a sign of failure but a positive sign that someone is aware of what they need to go forward. We also emphasise at every step of the way that move-on is about what’s right for them, not what feels right for us, or their key worker or a family member. The purpose of move-on is about the longer-term journey, and success should be for the resident, not anyone else. How would you define a successful move on? We could define a successful move-on as being ready and able to transition to lower support or to independent living. But that’s not always the path that a resident’s journey will take. Sometimes a resident might take a sideways step into another service, or even require higher support. But as long as their opinions and needs are heard, they are involved throughout the process, and the best decisions are being made for them, that’s still a success. Before joining our communities, many residents have not been able to be part of decisions about their care or treatment, or have felt excluded from the process. This can put them at risk of agreeing to a service or placement without feeling it was the right choice for them or fully understanding what was involved. One resident, before coming to CHT, had extended periods on the streets and had been in and out of homelessness services, often placed in accommodation as an emergency provision. When we first met them, they had given up on having a say over where they went. They often spoke to their key worker about feeling as if “those with mental health challenges are treated as if they don't deserve the nicer things in life”. This resident has since moved on from our care because their needs changed while with us, and they needed higher support than we could offer. Although this might not be seen as a ‘successful move on’ in performance metrics, this move on was hugely successful for the resident, who finally had a say in where they went next. We supported them in visiting and considering multiple services before they made a final decision on moving on. They actually declined two services before settling on a place they felt comfortable in, with a level of autonomy the resident had been denied in previous placements. So, a successful move-on is not about reaching a ‘perfect’ ending. It's about working alongside our residents on what feels right, supporting them throughout their transition – whatever that looks like – and ensuring they are listened to and have a say in what matters to them. The Therapeutic Recovery Team

On Thursday 8th October, at 7pm we are holding a charity quiz night ahead of World Mental Health Day at the Holy Trinity Church, Sheen Road, Richmond. Join us for a fun-filled evening of trivia, which includes a special local knowledge round! There will be cakes and refreshments to purchase, plus a fantastic raffle with prizes generously donated by local businesses including Greggs, Hotel Chocolat, Boots UK, Rosa's Thai Restaurant, Ole & Steen Richmond…and more! Entry is £5 per person, and you can have a team of up to 5 people. Book online to avoid disappointment, or turn up on the evening and pay at the door! Every penny raised will benefit Community Housing & Therapy (CHT), a specialist mental health charity that supports people experiencing mental distress to work through trauma, build supportive relationships, and explore ways to live fulfilling lives here in Richmond.

Part of our person-centred approach at CHT is to support our residents to discover opportunities and new interests, and explore ways they might want to get involved in education, employment or volunteering. Over half of our residents are actively involved in volunteering, study, work or other activities that matter to them. Here, one of these residents living in one of our Therapeutic Recovery Communities shares how he's found meaning and healing through his experiences volunteering. I started volunteering because, in the past, I've never done much in the way of positive things. And I just thought it was time for a change. I've achieved a lot in the last few years, and I just wanted to continue doing more positive things. I think the staff here suggested volunteering in a local shop or something. That's where I got the idea. I got in touch with an organisation called Shepherd's Star, which offered a six-week programme called the Explore to More course, which offers opportunities for training in things like DIY, getting a barista qualification, and a volunteering opportunity at Kew Gardens. I’ve now gained skills in coffee making, and I'm getting better at it. It’s a bit of an art form; it takes time and patience. I now volunteer at Shepherd's Star making coffees and at Kew Gardens doing litter picking. Volunteering is helping me become more social. It’s helping me cope with things like depression and anxiety. When I was younger, I was never as sociable as I am now. I found it very hard to socialise properly. Volunteering at Shepherd's Star also got me my first job in a café, which was great. It didn't work out because the manager had to make a few cuts, and unfortunately I was one of them, but it gave me a real sense of achievement. At Kew Gardens, it's so nice to just walk around and just take in nature and the people there are fantastic. I do other things besides litter picking. In early summer, I was looking out for oak procession moths - they can be quite dangerous because they have very fine hairs, and if you touch them, you can get allergic reactions. I had to report them if I saw them. On my rounds, if I see anything that's not safe, I can report it. In the beginning, I was very nervous volunteering, but I pushed through it. Also, there's friendly encouragement from people, and you can go at your own pace with things. The bugs are a nuisance, though, because I have a crippling fear of wasps and bees. I think just the fact that I've gotten out of bed and just the fact that I have managed to keep this routine, this structure, and do something so positive is a big deal, considering the person that I used to be. If I can, I want to achieve more. I want to get another job and then start working again, because I think I'm capable of that.

Our communities, Lilias Gillies House and Highams Lodge, were inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in March 2026. The inspection reports highlighted many areas of good practice. Caring and Responsive were both rated Good by the inspectors, who noted that residents are supported and treated with kindness, dignity and respect. They also noted that residents are involved in their care, are supported to make their own decisions about their treatment, and are encouraged to give feedback and share ideas for improvement. However, the CQC also highlighted the need for improvements related to record-keeping, safety controls and governance, and as a result, rated both services as Requires Improvement overall. Jalil Kane, CHT's Deputy CEO, said, “Seeing ourselves through an external lens can sometimes be uncomfortable, but it is also essential if we are serious about learning and improving. The CQC’s findings are invaluable in helping us understand where we need to do better. We have a Service Improvement Action Plan in place, led by our Head of Services and Service Managers, to strengthen practice across all areas highlighted by the CQC. At the same time, we want to build on what is already at the heart of our therapeutic communities: strong relationships, meaningful keywork, community meetings, and residents being actively involved in shaping their individual recovery and the communities they live in. We welcome the opportunity to learn from the inspection and look forward to sharing our progress over the months ahead.” You can read the full reports on the CQC website.

We’re delighted to announce the arrival of our newest resident at Highams Lodge - Jasper the Frog! Jasper has settled into the therapeutic community surprisingly quickly, although we’ve noticed that some days they feel a bit jumpy! Like many of us, Jasper is trying not to let life’s little flies bug them, and is discovering that recovery is all about taking one hop at a time. Our new resident is also teaching us an important lesson that it’s okay to be a little green sometimes. There is just one small mystery left to solve… we’re not entirely sure whether Jasper is a Mr. or a Ms Jasper. Until we know for certain, we’re sticking with Jasper, but don’t be surprised if our newest resident has a name change in the future. We hope they’ll enjoy a long and hoppy stay with us!

Taking on a leadership role is always a big responsibility, but it feels even greater in a mental health recovery community where being a leader means building trust and strong connections not only with staff, but with residents too. In this blog post, Paul Heseltine, Team Leader at our Mount Lodge community in Eastbourne, shares his journey of growing as a leader and the values that have shaped his approach. I joined CHT in October 2024 as a Team Leader at Mount Lodge, stepping into my first dedicated management role within a therapeutic community. Although I have held leadership responsibilities previously in my career, this was different because it brought together management, therapeutic practice and community living in a way that felt both challenging and rewarding. What’s driven me in my career is an interest in people, in particular how they develop, how relationships shape wellbeing and what helps people to overcome difficulties. Working in community mental health services strengthened my belief that lasting change is built through ‘doing with’ rather than ‘doing to’, through building trust, collaboration and most importantly, meaningful relationships. These values run through the core of CHT, which is what led me here. Here at Mount Lodge, rather than focusing solely on problems or symptoms, our approach places emphasis on seeing the person as a whole. This holistic approach struck a strong chord with me and continues to shape my practice. But leadership within a residential mental health community requires a balance of practical responsibilities with an awareness of the emotional life of the community. Alongside supporting the Service Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations and supporting the therapeutic practitioner team, there is a continual need to consider group dynamics, relationships, and the impact the work has on both residents and staff. This role requires as much reflection as it does action. Paul Heseltine with his ILM diploma certificate At CHT, investing in staff development is a core part of creating our Psychologically Informed Environments (PIEs); supporting learning, reflection and professional growth is key to maintaining therapeutic relationships and delivering high-quality care. So, I was grateful to have the opportunity to complete the Institute of Leadership Management (ILM) Level 4 Diploma in Leadership and Management, and CHT’s Level 7 Diploma in Relational Practice in Mental Health. Together, these two programmes provided a valuable, complementary combination of learning. The ILM strengthened my understanding of leadership, communication, decision-making and staff development, while CHT’s Diploma improved my understanding of therapeutic communities and psychodynamic thinking. One of the greatest benefits of the leadership training was the opportunity to step back from the everyday demands of management and to think more intentionally about leadership. It gave me space to recognise the importance of adapting my approach to different situations, to provide clear direction when necessary, but also creating space for opportunities for others to contribute and develop. Perhaps the biggest lesson has been recognising that effective leadership begins with creating the conditions where others can think. In previous jobs I would have tried to solve every problem myself, but now I see my role as providing the boundaries, containment and support that enables my staff team and our residents to develop their own capacity. The biggest shift in my thinking has been realising that leadership isn't about providing answers. It's about creating the conditions where other people feel safe enough to think, take ownership and grow. Whether that's supporting a staff member through a difficult supervision, facilitating a challenging community meeting or helping the team think differently about conflict, I've learned that slowing down to understand what is happening emotionally is often more valuable than rushing towards a solution. I am grateful to CHT for investing in my personal development. Having the opportunity to learn alongside my practice, although it has been a challenge, has strengthened my confidence and skills as a leader, which in turn has strengthened my ability to support Mount Lodge’s staff team and the wider community. My increased confidence in leadership means I bring more of myself to the role, which models what we ask from our staff too. As I reflect on completing my training this year, it feels less like I have crossed the finish line and more like moving on to another stage in an ongoing journey. Of course, there will be new challenges, learning and opportunities to develop, but I am looking forward to continuing that journey with an organisation that places relationships, reflection and the growth of its people at the centre of everything it does.

Algy Bruce has spent two and a half years on a clinical placement with CHT, becoming a familiar and valued part of our Mount Lodge and Richmond House communities. Laura and Riah from the CHT Communications Team spoke with him shortly after he finished his placement to hear about his experience, what he learned, and his plans for the future. How did you first hear about CHT? Algy first came across CHT while exploring placements during his second year studying integrative psychotherapy at Regent’s University. “I was looking for placements, and what interested me was personality disorders and addictions. I came across CHT, looked at the website and thought, this is something I’d really be interested in. I sent an email, Andreas (CHT's Head of Psychotherapy) called me, and the rest is history.” He had heard of therapeutic communities before but didn’t know much about how they worked. What caught his attention was CHT’s community approach to mental health treatment. “I really liked that part,” Algy said, “and I thought it would be really interesting to learn more about how it works.” Life in therapeutic communities Algy spent the first year and a half at Mount Lodge, our high-support community in Eastbourne, before joining our Richmond House Therapeutic Recovery Community in Richmond for a further year. The two communities offered different rhythms and roles, and shaped his experience in distinct ways. At Mount Lodge, Algy mainly took part in group therapy sessions, including being part of art psychotherapy, and also set up a regular meditation group, inspired by his personal practice. Here, he found himself fully immersed in community life, joining morning check-ins, cleaning groups, games groups, and even a trip to the zoo. “I actually found the cleaning group one of the hardest at first. I was still getting used to being part of the community, and it was such a different experience, I didn’t know how much to or too little to talk in that space. It felt more open somehow.” Richmond House provided a contrast to Mount Lodge, where Algy had a more defined role centred on one-to-one psychotherapy. It was a planned move for Algy to gain more experience with one-to-one work. Boundaries, breakthroughs and belonging For Algy, working as a therapist inside the communities was a privilege but also brought challenges. “It’s quite rare as a psychotherapist to be part of a community, being in the residents' home,” he said. “I had to keep in mind that my clients all knew each other and lived together.” Spending time with residents in community activities outside therapy gave Algy real experience in managing boundaries. “I had to remember what was part of therapy and what wasn’t, be clear about that line, and figure out how much to share outside sessions,” he said. “I had a lot of supervision!” Some of the most memorable moments for Algy came from witnessing how residents handled conflict. “Seeing how things can get heightened, but then seeing the empathy and care people use to resolve them was really amazing. It taught me a lot about how much empathy this work requires.” A journey’s end, and new beginnings. After almost four intense years of training, Algy is taking a well-deserved break. He plans to travel through India, Nepal, and Indonesia to learn more about Eastern philosophies and approaches to emotional wellbeing. He told us that, “A lot of the roots of therapy came from Eastern philosophy. It feels meaningful to go to where these ideas originated and see how they’re lived today, and it feeds into my long-term vision of bringing different cultural traditions together in my therapeutic work.” Algy’s endings at both Mount Lodge and Richmond House communities were emotional and touching. “At Mount Lodge, I thought I’d leave without much fuss, without anyone noticing in fact, but on my last day there were cakes and a whole celebration. It really meant a lot to me.” Residents and staff at Richmond House also organised a thoughtful farewell for Algy, with a letter and chocolates from the community. “It really meant a lot, and I’m very grateful”, he said. Algy offered advice for those considering a placement with CHT. “Expect a different experience from one you're used to. You have a lot more access to clients, which is a blessing, but it can also be tricky as you hold your boundaries in the community.” Algy told us. He also emphasised: You’ll be challenged. You’ll have lots of support through supervision and guidance from CHT’s experienced staff team. You’ll learn things you cannot learn on a typical placement. “Places like CHT are really important because they offer a communal approach to mental health care, which is so different from our often individualised approach to mental health treatment. It’s been great sharing my experience with students and tutors on my course, who have been really interested in hearing about how community-based therapy works. It’s invaluable.” We’re grateful to Algy for his time with us, and we wish him all the best in the next chapter of his journey. Find out more about life in CHT’s communities or about clinical placements.

They are cute, they are cuddly and to many an essential part of life. To others, they bring mess, noise, smell and disruption. Individual opinions differ, so how can we understand the role they play in our residential communities, and should we encourage residents to keep and have pets? Many of CHT’s communities have residents with pets of their own or community pets, including hamsters, fish, cats and dogs. Some residents move into our communities with pets ,  whilst others acquire them during their placement. It is obvious that many of our residents have an emotional bond to the animals, and they mean a lot to them: “She gives me unconditional love, which gives me a reason to get up in the morning” CHT resident But why? As humans, we are pre-determined to form emotional attachment with our caregivers; it is essential for our survival.  Infants seek proximity, physical contact and emotional connection with their attachment figures, and ideally, being able to use this connection to feel safe enough to explore the world around them. The relationship between dogs and their owners has been suggested to resemble that between a child and its mother, with the dog considered the attached individual in the relationship and the owner acting as the attachment figure. There is research suggesting these bonds can support and or enhance the physical and emotional wellbeing of both. “A lot of us have noticed that animals bring out certain positive characteristics in our residents, " said a CHT staff member. Further, there is growing evidence that pets may play an important role in the development and wellbeing of those who do not have stable and secure attachments to their human caregivers. “I learnt how to care for something” CHT resident The above quote represents a common theme experienced by many of our residents who have a pet. Having not experienced care from their human caregivers, they learn that the love they feel for their pet makes them want to adopt a role that was lacking throughout their childhood. This creates a connection, one that is based on a mutual need and appreciation, which deepens the bond between resident and pet. Having, looking after and properly caring for a pet does mean taking responsibility. Pets need to be fed, exercised, their health needs to be looked after, and they need to be insured. What happens if a resident wants to go on holiday or move into alternative accommodation where a landlord will not allow pets? Further, there is research  that suggests that those with greater attachment anxiety will also exhibit more difficulty with regulating emotions during the loss of an attachment figure. It is worth noting that despite experiencing this grief, most owners did not regret the bond they had enjoyed with their pet. Clearly, there is much to consider for both the resident wanting a pet and the wider community. What if one of our residents suffers from a relevant allergy or a phobia? What if everyone within the same community expresses a desire to have a pet? How many pets can one community support? As long as the above risks and responsibilities are properly thought about, there is certainly much therapeutic value in having a pet, both for the individual resident as well as the community as a whole.

Ahead of National Pet Day on Saturday, 11 April, Kelly Howard, our Team Leader at Lilias Gillies House, shares how her two dogs, Max and Maisy, made a real difference for the residents and staff in our therapeutic community. Max on his way to Lilias Gillies House When I first joined Lilias Gillies House, 7 years ago, our manager had a small dog that came to the house. She brought something with her that’s hard to put into words, lightness, warmth, a shift in the atmosphere. Residents who struggled to engage would sit a little longer, speak a little more. When management changed, his dog left a big void. So over time, I began bringing Max and Maisy in. For them, they always knew. Once we were on the train, they recognised where they were going, not to work, but to a place where they would be met with excitement and smiles. As staff, we receive a handover to help structure our day, but they never needed one. They would walk in and just know. They knew who needed closeness, and who needed space. I’ve seen residents who struggle in groups come out of their rooms and speak openly whilst stroking their soft fur. Max often resting his head gently on their lap, Maisy curling in close beside them. Others, who find it hard to cry, sit and quietly let tears fall with them tucked in close, feeling their steady warmth. Stories have been whispered into gentle ears, met only with patience and listening. They stayed through the difficult moments, the distress, the silence, the discomfort, offering a kind of containment without needing words. And then, just as instinctively, they would shift the energy. A nudge from Maisy to get up, Max already racing ahead to the garden, a game that brings laughter back into the space. They also created opportunities beyond the house. Residents who might not usually leave would find themselves up, getting ready, and stepping outside to take them for a walk, sometimes quietly side by side, sometimes talking more freely than they would indoors. The dogs gave a reason, a purpose, and made those moments feel easier. Knock-arounds were their favourite. They knew every room, every door, Maisy waiting patiently, Max gently pawing the door, both always holding that quiet hope that it might open, and not giving up until it did l. Sometimes that small moment of connection was enough. Max and Maisy always reminded us that therapeutic impact doesn’t always come from words or planned interventions, but from presence. From being alongside someone, offering warmth, patience, and connection, helping someone feel, even briefly, less alone. Maisy waiting for the train en route to Lilias Gillies House

Spring has finally arrived, and with the sun shining brightly (here in London at least), we've been reflecting on the gardens at our therapeutic communities and the amazing things growing there. At CHT, as with other therapeutic communities, we focus on building relationships with others, ourselves, and the world around us. One way we do this is through horticultural therapy, which uses gardening to support mental wellbeing. At Highams Lodge , where this photo of bright daffodils was taken, horticultural therapy offers residents a hands-on, supported way to connect with living things. It creates a space where residents often find it easier to open up and work through their emotions, especially when face-to-face therapy feels difficult. Over the past year, residents took part in weekly horticultural therapy sessions led by Leah, a therapist from Thrive. They planned and chose activities together, growing plenty of vegetables and herbs like yellow zucchini, garlic, hot peppers, tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, onions, red cabbage, artichokes, thyme, coriander, rosemary, and lavender. The harvest became part of daily life in many ways. Residents added lavender and thyme to hair conditioners, brewed thyme tea to soothe winter colds, prepared zucchini salads together, stirred parsley into tabbouleh and fish dishes, and often shared warm cups of mint and sage tea while chatting in the kitchen. One resident shared that, ‘’Engagement in the outside has led to me sitting in the garden with friends and using herbs in cooking and making herbal teas with sage and honey.'' Residents found that homegrown food costs less than supermarket produce, that organic growing is healthier, and that food tastes better when you know you’ve nurtured it yourself. This sparked a real sense of pride and accomplishment for many. One resident said, ''I personally have found it so valuable. I had a garden, but I didn't garden. I'm actually working in this garden with a professional, and together we are working in harmony.''  Thanks to this programme, the garden has become a place of belonging and inclusion. By deciding together what to plant and when to harvest, the community has created a shared space where everyone can contribute, whether by raking leaves, weeding, mowing the lawn, or tending the flower beds. The programme has had profound benefits on residents' wellbeing. One resident shared that gardening helped her reduce her anger. Another told us, "[Having access to the programme] was the deciding factor for me deciding to come here, alongside the therapist. The outside space is really important to me and supports my recovery”  As spring arrives and our gardens start to come alive again, residents and staff have also been taking time to pause and be present in nature, sharing photos of springtime in their communities. We are delighted to share some of these here.

We are delighted to receive a grant from the National Lottery Awards for All to deliver a series of workshops over the coming year for residents and their keyworkers, covering skills like event planning, fundraising, teamwork, and leadership. This project started with residents and staff on our Fundraising Committee who saw the need for more structured support to help residents build confidence and skills for getting more involved in the community. Our fundraiser and researcher, Andrea (pictured), who has over 20 years of frontline and support experience at CHT, will lead the project. She will also support residents and keyworkers to take part in or organise community activities throughout the year, aiming to expand our involvement from bake sales to larger events like fetes and other local community activities. Andrea said; “This project is all about improving confidence and practical skills, creating stronger feelings of belonging, reducing isolation, and empowering residents to challenge stigma by taking active, valued roles in community life, not just within our therapeutic communities but in the wider community. We also hope it will raise our local profile and help generate funds to support our ongoing work. We are very grateful to the National Lottery for making this programme possible over the next twelve months.” With thanks to The National Lottery Awards for All.