Recap: Keeping the Hope Day

We held a very successful Keeping the Hope Day on 10th September 2016. The day was the inspiration of Sarah Herschel and the third such event she has organised. We had keynote speeches from the Mayor and Paul Lewzey, while James Wilson joined us from the University and headed up interactive theatre with Frances Heather, Ron Heather and Sarah from Creative Mental Health.

The drama was responded to very well with a lot of audience participation and interaction. It was very powerful indeed. The day also comprised of various stalls with Lise Marron from Capable Creatures, Sam and Jane from Healthwatch, and our colleague Carolyn Barber and friends from The Good Mental Health Company. There was an art table display of photographs and poetry and reflective space in the rear hall where people could write messages for the 'hope' tree and light candles.

Around 50 people attended and some 35 plus stayed all day and enjoyed a free buffet lunch provided by our social enterprise 'Tasty Options'. We were delighted to see Sarah's parents attend all the way from Wales especially for the occasion. The day was very successful and we hope to do another even bigger and better next year.

Many thanks to everyone who participated and helped.