Creativity and collaboration can create real change - CHUMS Charity Anniversary Gala

Creativity and collaboration can create real change, which is why I am delighted to be working with CHUMS Charity on their Silver Anniversary Gala Ball this month. CHUMS supports young people and their families to access a range of mental health services in Bedfordshire, Luton, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. These include:

• The Trauma Service – Bereavement and Non-Bereavement Trauma (sexual abuse and witness to domestic violence)

• The Bedfordshire Suicide Bereavement Service (BSBS) – supporting families in the devastating aftermath of a suicide death

• The Recreational Therapeutic Service supporting young people who can’t readily engage in 1:1 talking therapies, via football and music programmes

• The Babyloss Bereavement Service – supporting families when a baby dies before, at or soon after birth

• The Disability Friendship Scheme in Luton – offering a safe social space on a Friday evening to youngsters with learning and/or physical disabilities.

I have person experience of baby loss through miscarriages, and know how important bereavement services are, so am especially pleased to be supporting this wonderful organisation by live event painting during the Gala dinner. My artwork will be auctioned off that evening to help raise funds to enable CHUMS to continue providing such important services.

If you would like to find out more about CHUMS and their services, or donate, please visit https://chumscharity.org