CHUMS Charity https://chumscharity.org/ Supporting Mental Health - Improving Lives Wed, 20 Aug 2025 09:30:28 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://chumscharity.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/cropped-favicon-1-32x32.png CHUMS Charity https://chumscharity.org/ 32 32 Play the Dunstable Community Lottery and raise funds for CHUMS https://chumscharity.org/play-the-dunstable-community-lottery-and-raise-funds-for-chums/ https://chumscharity.org/play-the-dunstable-community-lottery-and-raise-funds-for-chums/#respond Wed, 20 Aug 2025 09:30:28 +0000 https://chumscharity.org/?p=8506 We are excited to announce that we are listed as one of the good causes for the Dunstable Community Lottery launched by Dunstable Town Council. For every £1 lottery ticket sold you could win £25,000 & for every £1 spent we get 60p back to the Charity enabling us to continue our vital work supporting

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We are excited to announce that we are listed as one of the good causes for the Dunstable Community Lottery launched by Dunstable Town Council.
For every £1 lottery ticket sold you could win £25,000 & for every £1 spent we get 60p back to the Charity enabling us to continue our vital work supporting children, young people, adults and families through our mental health and emotional wellbeing services.
So don’t delay register today and choose CHUMS Charity as your good cause!

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]]> https://chumscharity.org/play-the-dunstable-community-lottery-and-raise-funds-for-chums/feed/ 0 An Audience with Mick Harford and David Pleat raises £13,508.00! https://chumscharity.org/an-audience-with-mick-harford-and-david-pleat-raises-13508-00/ https://chumscharity.org/an-audience-with-mick-harford-and-david-pleat-raises-13508-00/#respond Mon, 12 May 2025 12:19:37 +0000 https://chumscharity.org/?p=8419 An evening with Mick Harford and David Pleat We were thrilled to host our recent ‘Audience with Mick Harford and David Pleat’ event in the beautiful marquee at the Cross Keys in Pulloxhill. We’d like to extend our appreciation and huge thanks to our own Ambassador Mick Harford, and former Luton Town and Spurs

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An evening with Mick Harford and David Pleat

We were thrilled to host our recent ‘Audience with Mick Harford and David Pleat’ event in the beautiful marquee at the Cross Keys in Pulloxhill.

We’d like to extend our appreciation and huge thanks to our own Ambassador Mick Harford, and former Luton Town and Spurs Manager David Pleat who were stars on the night. We’d also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Paul Meads and all the staff at the Cross Keys for hosting the event so professionally.

The evening would not have been possible without our incredible friends and headline sponsors Issured, and the hundreds of guests who came along and supported CHUMS on the night so generously.

We are thrilled to announce with your support we raised an incredible £13,508.00! Your generosity help to ensure CHUMS and our services will continue to transform the lives of children, young people and adults in our community.

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]]> https://chumscharity.org/an-audience-with-mick-harford-and-david-pleat-raises-13508-00/feed/ 0 Issured announced as Headline Sponsor for an Audience with Mick Harford and David Pleat https://chumscharity.org/issured-announced-as-headline-sponsor-for-an-audience-with-mick-harford-and-david-pleat/ https://chumscharity.org/issured-announced-as-headline-sponsor-for-an-audience-with-mick-harford-and-david-pleat/#respond Wed, 02 Apr 2025 13:10:36 +0000 https://chumscharity.org/?p=8342 🐘 ***Headline Sponsor Announcement*** 🐘   🥳🎉 We are thrilled to announce Issured Limited as headline sponsor for our upcoming ‘An Audience with Mick Harford and David Pleat’ event being held at The Cross Keys in Pulloxhill on Friday 25th May. 🥳🎉   We are delighted and honoured to have the ongoing, committed support from

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🐘 ***Headline Sponsor Announcement*** 🐘
 
🥳🎉 We are thrilled to announce Issured Limited as headline sponsor for our upcoming ‘An Audience with Mick Harford and David Pleat’ event being held at The Cross Keys in Pulloxhill on Friday 25th May. 🥳🎉
 
We are delighted and honoured to have the ongoing, committed support from our friends at Issured, whose generosity will help to make this night truly amazing. Their support will also ensure that we continue providing vital specialist services to those struggling with bereavement, trauma, and other mental health challenges. 🙏
 
With 230 supporters joining us on the night and the amazing support of Issured, we can continue to make a real impact and improve the lives of those individuals and families facing difficult challenges across our community where CHUMS continue to be their lifeline.
 
Thank you so much to all the team at Issured Limited for kindly being our headline sponsor. A fantastic partnership where together we will make a positive difference. You will be helping CHUMS to enable children, young people and adults to reach their full potential.

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]]> https://chumscharity.org/issured-announced-as-headline-sponsor-for-an-audience-with-mick-harford-and-david-pleat/feed/ 0 An Evening with Mick Harford and David Pleat – Sponsorship Opportunity https://chumscharity.org/an-evening-with-mick-harford-and-david-pleat-sponsorship-opportunity/ https://chumscharity.org/an-evening-with-mick-harford-and-david-pleat-sponsorship-opportunity/#respond Mon, 10 Mar 2025 16:52:17 +0000 https://chumscharity.org/?p=8310 🌟 Exciting Sponsorship Opportunity! 🌟 Join us for An Audience with Mick Harford – a proud Ambassador of Chums – and his good friend, football legend David Pleat. This event will celebrate the incredible achievements of two local heroes and support Chums Charity, a highly reputable local charity that provides essential services across Bedfordshire. Sponsorship Opportunities We’re looking for local

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]]> 🌟 Exciting Sponsorship Opportunity! 🌟

Join us for An Audience with Mick Harford – a proud Ambassador of Chums – and his good friend, football legend David Pleat. This event will celebrate the incredible achievements of two local heroes and support Chums Charity, a highly reputable local charity that provides essential services across Bedfordshire.

Sponsorship Opportunities
We’re looking for local businesses to sponsor this event and help us make a difference. By supporting, you’ll help cover the planning and organisational costs while promoting your business to over 200 attendees, including Luton Town FC supporters, local businesses, and community members.

Headline Sponsor – £1,000
✅ Promote your business on the night with prominent banner placement next to the interview panel
✅ Add your company literature to guest tables
✅ Increased visibility pre- and post-event on social media and our website
✅ A great opportunity to connect with the local community

Event Sponsors – £200
✅ Company branding featured on the Table Plan and across our social media platforms
✅ Recognition as a sponsor on our website

How Your Support Makes a Difference
✨ £300 helps fund a venue for our Baby Loss Service Memory Day
✨ £175 funds a 1-to-1 session with our Trauma Service
✨ £500 supports a fun day out for our Friendship Scheme

As a charity, we rely on the generosity of local businesses and individuals to continue offering our 5 core services, including the Bedfordshire Suicide Bereavement Service,  Babyloss Service, Trauma Service, Recreational and Therapeutic Service and Friendship scheme.

📅 When: Friday, 25th April
📍 Where: Cross Keys, Pulloxhill (in a beautiful marquee)

The night will feature:
✨ A 3-course sit-down meal
✨ A professionally compered interview with Mick and David, covering all things football and Luton Town FC
✨ A silent auction and raffle to raise funds for our core services

Help us make this a night to remember!  If you’d like to sponsor this fantastic event, please get in touch with Sarah Phillips at Sarah.Phillips@chumscharity.org.

💙✨ #SupportChums #SponsorshipOpportunity #CommunityEvent #Fundraising #FootballLegends #ChumsCharity #MakingADifference #Local charity #Chumsishope

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]]> https://chumscharity.org/an-evening-with-mick-harford-and-david-pleat-sponsorship-opportunity/feed/ 0 Mark Crowther’s Million March Hatters Challenge https://chumscharity.org/mark-crowthers-million-march-hatters-challenge/ https://chumscharity.org/mark-crowthers-million-march-hatters-challenge/#respond Sat, 15 Feb 2025 14:10:51 +0000 https://chumscharity.org/?p=8292 Fanatic Luton Town Supporter Mark Crowther is currently undertaking yet another extraordinary challenge - pledging to walk 1,000,000 steps in March by walking to Hatters matches home and away. Mark has chosen CHUMS Charity as one of the organisations to benefit from his challenge. He's already raised £350 already towards his target of £1,250. Well

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Fanatic Luton Town Supporter Mark Crowther is currently undertaking yet another extraordinary challenge – pledging to walk 1,000,000 steps in March by walking to Hatters matches home and away.

Mark has chosen CHUMS Charity as one of the organisations to benefit from his challenge.
He’s already raised £350 already towards his target of £1,250. Well done Mark, keep going!
This challenge is no mean FEET (see what we did there?).
His last challenge saw him cycling to every away game during Luton Town’s stay in the Premier League.
Although he’s no stranger to incredible challenges Mark’s efforts are truly extraordinary, as he attempts to take one million steps in March.
We caught up with Mark recently, to ask him about his Million March Hatters Challenge.
He spoke candidly about his own challenges with mental health, which have inspired him to support CHUMS.

Watch the video below

Please support Mark on his way by clicking here to donate what you can afford to his Just Giving Page. Thank you.

 

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]]> https://chumscharity.org/mark-crowthers-million-march-hatters-challenge/feed/ 0 A message from Patron Robert Daws https://chumscharity.org/a-message-from-patron-robert-daws/ https://chumscharity.org/a-message-from-patron-robert-daws/#respond Wed, 12 Jun 2024 10:45:58 +0000 https://chumscharity.org/?p=7994 We're very grateful to our patron, much-loved actor of stage and screen, Robert Daws for sharing this important message. Please do take a moment to watch. Many of CHUMS services are reliant on the generosity of our supporters and fundraisers in the community. And you can help too. Find out how on our

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🐘 We’re very grateful to our patron, much-loved actor of stage and screen, Robert Daws for sharing this important message.

Please do take a moment to watch.
Many of CHUMS services are reliant on the generosity of our supporters and fundraisers in the community.
And you can help too. Find out how on our website www.chumscharity.org or you can make a donation here: https://chums.enthuse.com/chumscharity#!/
Thank you for watching, and for your support. 💚🧡

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]]> https://chumscharity.org/a-message-from-patron-robert-daws/feed/ 0 CHUMS present at Reflections Event for Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes https://chumscharity.org/chums-present-at-reflections-event-for-bedfordshire-luton-and-milton-keynes/ https://chumscharity.org/chums-present-at-reflections-event-for-bedfordshire-luton-and-milton-keynes/#respond Tue, 04 Jun 2024 11:05:23 +0000 https://chumscharity.org/?p=7989 Representatives from CHUMS Bedfordshire Suicide Bereavement Service were proud to have presented at a special event held at Venue 360 in Luton on the 22nd May. The event, hosted by the East London NHS Foundation Trust took place to reflect on the progress achieved in mental health care across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes over the

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]]> Representatives from CHUMS Bedfordshire Suicide Bereavement Service were proud to have presented at a special event held at Venue 360 in Luton on the 22nd May. The event, hosted by the East London NHS Foundation Trust took place to reflect on the progress achieved in mental health care across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes over the last five years.

Health and social care professionals, service users, carers and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) partners gathered at Venue 360 in Luton on Wednesday, May 22.

It was organised by the BLMK Integrated Care System and involved the Trust and Central and North West Foundation Trust (CNWL), the area’s two mental health providers and VCSE partners.

The theme was to reflect on progress and consider what changes are needed to provide care that continues to meet the needs of the area’s communities and increased demand for care.

Click here to read the full story.

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]]> https://chumscharity.org/chums-present-at-reflections-event-for-bedfordshire-luton-and-milton-keynes/feed/ 0 Mental Health Awareness Week. 13th – 19th May 2024 https://chumscharity.org/mental-health-awareness-week-13th-19th-may-2024/ https://chumscharity.org/mental-health-awareness-week-13th-19th-may-2024/#respond Mon, 29 Apr 2024 09:20:35 +0000 https://chumscharity.org/?p=7905 For over 27 years CHUMS has provided therapeutic support to numerous children and young people in Luton, Bedfordshire and beyond. Our mission is to improve the mental health and emotional wellbeingof children and young people and their families enabling positive and fulfilling lives by: Increasing emotional resilience Providing therapeutic support Actively engaging service users

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For over 27 years CHUMS has provided therapeutic support to numerous children and young people in Luton, Bedfordshire and beyond.

Our mission is to improve the mental health and emotional wellbeingof children and young people and their families enabling positive and fulfilling lives by:

  • Increasing emotional resilience
  • Providing therapeutic support
  • Actively engaging service users to influence service delivery
  • Raising awareness of mental health through training and campaigning
  • Reduce stigma around ental health and highlight the need for prevention and early intervention

We’re a service that helps you when things get a bit difficult to handleon your own. We’re proud to support Mental Health Awareness Week in 2024

With a long track record of supporting families who need support with mental health, we understand how important it is to keep talking, and to challenge the stigma that still exists around mental health issues. That’s why we launched our ‘What’s Your Story Campaign‘ earlier this year. You can get involved too, by sharing your experiences of mental health.

Make a donation

Every year we have to raise £450,000. You can help us by making a donation, big or small. Whatever you can afford will help us deliver vital services in the community.

Woburn Mental Health Awareness Village

This year, we’re very lucky to have the support from the people and traders in Woburn, Bedfordshire. We’re incredibly grateful for their support, especially to Lambdens Bistro, who are holding three special Spanish themed evenings in aid of CHUMS Charity.

A Spanish Fiesta at Lambdens Bistro, Woburn

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]]> https://chumscharity.org/mental-health-awareness-week-13th-19th-may-2024/feed/ 0 Cut The Rug at our Tea Dance at Luton Hoo https://chumscharity.org/cut-the-rug-at-our-tea-dance-at-luton-hoo-2/ Wed, 27 Mar 2024 10:16:19 +0000 https://chumscharity.org/?page_id=7840 SAVE THE DATE! SUNDAY, 28TH APRIL 2024. 2:00 - 7:00PM CUT THE RUG WITH YOUR CHUMS AT OUR UNMISSABLE TEA DANCE AT THE CONSERVATORY, LUTON HOO WALLED GARDEN, Slam on the brakes for a fun and uplifting Sunday, as we nod to the '40's with afternoon tea and "swell" entertainment. Leave your

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SAVE THE DATE!

SUNDAY, 28TH APRIL 2024.

2:00 – 7:00PM

CUT THE RUG WITH YOUR CHUMS AT OUR UNMISSABLE TEA DANCE

AT THE CONSERVATORY, LUTON HOO WALLED GARDEN,

Slam on the brakes for a fun and uplifting Sunday, as we nod to the ’40’s with afternoon tea and “swell” entertainment.

Leave your troubles at the door as we come together to “cut the rug” and raise funds for Chums charity

– Sparkling reception and canapés
– ⁠Live entertainment (band, singer)
– Afternoon tea

Dress to Impress – put on your best ’40’s style to win a prize.

Sunday 28th April, 2-7pm at The Conservatory, Luton Hoo Walled Gardens.

Free parking

Book now!

Tickets are £39.95pp. Corporate tables of 10 are available at £600 per table.
Contact Claire on 01525 863924 or claire.feasey@chumscharity.org to book your tickets.

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]]> What’s Your Story https://chumscharity.org/whats-your-story/ Wed, 27 Mar 2024 10:07:57 +0000 https://chumscharity.org/?page_id=7837 What's Your Story? For some people their stories are so overwhelming, sad or traumatic it can make it very difficult to imagine a brighter future These stories are the reason CHUMS exists. We’re here to listen, and to offer support advice and hope – and to help people find ways of coping, processing and

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What’s Your Story?

For some people their stories are so overwhelming, sad or traumatic it can make it very difficult to imagine a brighter future

These stories are the reason CHUMS exists. We’re here to listen, and to offer support advice and hope – and to help people find ways of coping, processing and adjusting.

In Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, and West Essex, we’re like a big family, supporting young people, families, and adults through the ups and downs of mental health. And now, we’re inviting you to join our journey with our “What’s Your Story” campaign.

We’ve got three big goals for this campaign.

Firstly, we want everyone to know about the incredible work that CHUMS does, so we’re sharing some of the stories from people who have been helped by us, their friends and family, and our team.

Secondly – we want to encourage people to keep talking about mental health. It’s time to share, and support each other, because we know how important it is to keep talking.

Last, but not least – we want to inspire action – and for this bit, we need your help because many of CHUMS services simply can’t happen without YOU.

Whether it’s donating, volunteering, or just joining our mailing list, every little bit helps us make a difference. We hope you’re inspired by our stories to GET INVOLVED.

From one time to another, everyone is affected by things relating to mental health, whether it’s something that has happened to you directly, or to a friend, family member or work colleague. That’s why the work we do is so vital – because you never know when you, or someone you love may need our support.

We want you to get involved! Your voice matters, whether it’s sharing your own story, lending a hand, or spreading the word.

What’s your story?

Tochi's Story

Tochi was just 11 years old when she lost her father in 2006/07 to a brain tumour. During his illness, her father had multiple hospital visits, eventually staying there for an extended period before coming home for palliative care, during which time their living room was transformed into a hospice space for him.

Tochi and her two brothers and her sister had a huge amount to cope with emotionally as a result, and it took its toll. There were times their mother also found it hard to talk about what was going on with her children, and so she reached out to CHUMS for support.

CHUMS provided the space for the family to grieve, to talk about what was going on and to talk about their feelings. The group sessions they attended also allowed them to meet and talk to others who were experiencing similar, helping them to come to terms with what had happened.

Tochi said, “I remember I was very, very nervous as I didn’t know what to expect, and I didn’t want to talk about what was going on initially. But I slowly eased off and it really helped me and my siblings to understand what it means to grieve and to get our emotions out.

You don’t really comprehend what’s going on as a child so it helped me to understand on a deeper level. And just being with my siblings in that safe space really helped as well.”

Tochi said the biggest thing that helped was hearing other people’s stories, realising that they weren’t alone and seeing that others who had experienced similar bereavements were able to deal with what had happened.

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