A Burnham-On-Sea mental health charity set up in memory of a teenager who took his own life four years ago this month has unveiled its new counselling rooms and offices.
In Charley’s Memory was set up after 18 year-old Charley took his own life in September 2014. The charity now supports and helps hundreds of young people and those affected by mental health.
An increase in demand for their services has resulted in a need for larger premises – and the charity has therefore moved.
Originally based in the Manor House in the Burnham’s Manor Gardens, ICM has moved a short distance up the road to Rose Farm in Jaycroft Road where Burnham and Highbridge Mayor Bill Hancock visited, as pictured here.
In Charley’s Memory has taken on double the amount of clients, aged between 11-25, in 2018 compared to last year. The charity sees 32 people a week and says that by October that’s set to rise to 55.
The charity relies on fundraising and grants to keep their doors open, but finding £45,000 a year is not easy as the numbers continue to grow.
Mother Jo Clement said: “We started with one office, and then two offices and then we had to move to four offices. Because we’re seeing so many young people we decided that we needed to move somewhere bigger which is how we ended up here. It’s not just people around Somerset that come to us for help – we’ve had people from all around the country.”
Operations Manager Dawn Carey added: “So many people have generously supported us over the years and it was a lovely opportunity to show them what we have been doing at an open day to mark the move and to meet some of the team.”
“Special thanks go to Miss Hewlitt from King Alfred School for our new painting of ‘Dave’ who will grace one of our counselling rooms.”
Pictured: The opening event in Burnham-On-Sea (Photos: Doug Plume)
