Page 10 • The HERALD • 3rd August 2023 v F @heraldpublishing v New Forest Scaffolding All aspects of scaffolding undertaken • Extensions • Chimneys • Re-Roofing • New Builds etc For a friendly, local, reliable service and a free quotation Telephone: 07734 476855 www.newforestscaffolding.co.uk Full Liability Insurance Lychette Cottage, Roughdown, Blackfield SO45 1XG Professional installers of Fascias, Guttering, Cladding, PVCu Windows & Doors Composite Doors • 10 year labour and product guarantees Repairs, cleaning and advice also available Tel: 023 8086 9715 or 07888 705455 enquiries@aztecfascias.com Young People Get the Prom Experience Despite Mental Health Challenges For many teenagers, Prom represents an important milestone in their young lives. However, young people who experience severe mental health problems o en miss out on these signi cant events due to their challenges. Following the completion of their GCSEs, young people at Austen House a specialist, low-secure mental health service for young people aged 12-18 years in Calmore, were able to celebrate their Prom thanks to sta and the generosity of local businesses which were co-ordinated by Austen House education team which is provided by Hampshire County Council. Young people were excited to start the day with hair and make-up. Kelsey, a local hairdresser, supported sta to ensure the young people felt special by providing expert styling tips. To complete the look the young people were able to choose from a range of dresses donated by Prom Ally and Solent Prom Dress. Flowers were donated by sta for the young people to decorate their hair and wear as a corsage. time. It was so nice to be able to have Prom as I had missed that opportunity as I had been in hospital. So to have staff put together a Prom was really thoughtful.” A recent report suggests a 77% rise in the number of children needing specialist treatment for severe mental health crises. Young people and children who experience these crises o en feel le behind as peers move through life’s milestones. One of the parents added: “As a parent, I dread seeing Prom pictures from my young person’s peers as they can extenuate the feeling of loss. Seeing my young person looking so well in her beautiful dress and happy from her limo ride has soothed the potential pain for me too, so I am extremely grateful to all concerned and hope that they know how much difference these gestures make.” e Prom was hosted at Austen House and completed by a delicious bu et for the young people, the sta and everyone involved. e bu et was served outside, under a marquee in the sunshine and was cooked by the Austen House kitchen specially for the occasion. Modern Matron, Bethan Grundy and Clinical Ward Manager, Laura Petty re ected on what a wonderful day it was for everyone: “Austen House recognises that life is put on pause when someone is ill, so we are really pleased the young people in our care were able to experience this special milestone! Thank you to all local businesses who helped make the day so magical for our young people”. Arriving in style is a key part of every young person’s Prom experience. Brighterway, Southern Health’s charity funded New Forest Limousines to provide a limo for the young people to enjoy a short drive around Southampton. One of the young people said: “Prom was everything I hoped it to be and more. It meant the world to me to see all these incredibly kind people care and take it the extra mile for us, just out of the generosity of their hearts. We cannot be more grateful for this experience. “It is so gut-wrenching to see other people my age reach these milestones and feel left behind, but, with this Prom it gave us the chance to feel ‘normal’, even just for one day. It gave me motivation for recovery and showed us that sometimes, life is fun. Thank you so so much.” Another young person said: “The prom was such a fun day, it brought us all together and everyone had a good Austen House Prom at NHS Trust OUT AND ABOUT WITH THE RSPB e New Forest local group of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds programme of indoor meetings and eld trips resumes in September. Monthly meetings are held at 7.30pm on the second Wednesday of the month at Lyndhurst Community Centre, central car park, High Street, Lyndhurst SO43 7NY. A varied programme of forest and coastal eld trips are planned on various weekend and weekday dates and times. For further information please email: NewForestGroup@RSPB.org.uk or visit the group’s website: group.rspb.org.uk/newforest/. ose taking part in eld trips should wear suitable dull coloured clothing and sturdy footwear. Nonmembers are currently charged £5 per eld trip or indoor meeting. Tea and Melodies Li your spirits with a song and go along to Tea and Melodies – a fun singing group, every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month in the Garden Room at St Andrews Church in Dibden Purlieu from 10.30am to 11.45am, £5 a session. Go along and join them for a warm welcome, upli ing songs and a cup of tea. For more information email: melodymakers.sing@ outlook.com or call/text Fiona: 07799 652933 or Steph: 07824 765471.
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