L-R: Judith Gardner and Sarah Brightwell of Solent Mind, with Miller Homes’ Ellie Foster and Solent Mind’s Joshua Bailey at Mayfield Nurseries in Southampton
Solent Mind has created a dedicated support group for refugees and people seeking asylum in Southampton.
With the backing of Miller Homes, which has regional offices in Basingstoke, the mental health charity has been able to set-up an eight-week programme for 12 participants to meet, have group discussions and learn new skills with a view to building confidence and employability.
The group meets weekly at Mayfield Nurseries in Southampton, with transport also provided by Solent Mind to enable participants to travel. The funding for the group to be formed has been donated by Miller Homes as part of the housebuilder’s annual Community Fund.
Solent Mind applied for funding to Miller Homes via the builder’s website, which is open all-year-round for applicants, and were successfully chosen by the developer in its latest round of recipients, which are decided upon twice yearly.
Suz Johnston, diversity and inclusion outreach worker for Solent Mind, said: “This group of people are part of a vulnerable community, living in isolation. They currently have very little reason to get out of bed, developing apathy and a difficulty to engage, which reflects badly on their self-worth.
“Thanks to the funding provided by Miller Homes, we have been able to plan and provide a variety of therapeutic activities at Mayfield Nurseries which offer a positive outlook. We have already seen a lift in spirits and signs of self-worth in the group; knowing there is someone who cares about their wellbeing makes them feel accepted.
“The participants are becoming a little more engaged since the group was formed, but they will continue to need more help and support along the way. Our aim is to achieve this and see further signs of positive results when the eight-week programme closes.”
Skill building activities at the weekly group meetings include horticultural therapies, bicycle repair, artwork, computer skills and carpentry. Attendees are also taking part in employability classes with partner organisations and getting involved in a community gardening project at allotments across Southampton.
Solent Mind is evaluating the eight-week programme by measuring participants’ wellbeing using the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. The results will hopefully provide the scope to expand the charity’s services in the future, including creating a women’s-only group.
Miller Homes’ Southern region is based in Basingstoke and is currently building new homes across the South of England, including in Botley, Chichester, Eastergate, Oakley, Didcot and Princes Risborough.
Katrina Crawford, sales and marketing director of Miller Homes Southern, said: “Mental health remains a subject which is high on everyone’s agenda, so when Solent Mind explained in their application for our Community Fund the project they hoped to develop, we were only too pleased to step in and offer our support for this.
“We have been really encouraged to hear the early feedback of how the programme is going, and to see that our donation is directly helping people in our region with the skills and confidence they need to move forward with their lives.
“Miller Homes is proud of its track record of building communities as much as new homes, and we are hoping to hear yet more positive news from the team at Solent Mind on how the eight-week course has impacted the lives of the people who attended.”
As part of its Community Fund, Miller Homes Southern supported groups across the region including Longwick C of E School, St Francis Animal Welfare in Eastleigh, Sherborne St John Social Club, Friends of Centurion Way in Chichester and the charity Peeple, in Didcot.
To find out how Solent Mind can provide mental health support for its users, please visit https://www.solentmind.org.uk/support-for-you/.
For more information on Miller Homes’ developments across the South of England, visit https://millerhomes.co.uk/locations/south-east-of-england.aspx.
