Our Community & Outreach Programme Producer Anne Louise Kershaw shares some brilliant feedback we received from Manchester Mind…
Manchester Mind are an amazing charity who regularly visit us here at HOME as part of the #HOMEinspires Programme. As a group they have visited for various theatre shows using our £1 Inspire ticket scheme, exhibition tours and to just chill and enjoy a brew here in our cafe. It is always really enjoyable to take the group around our exhibitions and to hear how much they’ve enjoyed a show.
To tell you more about Manchester Mind, they are an independent charity whose main purpose is to support better mental health for everybody. They believe that everyone deserves to be supported in their mental health needs and that we have a part to play in that. They have been delivering services in the city since 1989 (previously as HARP), initially focussing on people living in Hulme, but over the years they have extended their services to meet the needs of people citywide. In 2011 they became one of 137 Local Mind Associations, as are now affiliated to national Mind.
They deliver a wide range of services to support people’s mental health and last year over 5,000 people received support, information and/or training from Manchester Mind.
The work they do includes advice, training and learning, peer support, working with young people, food for all projects and engagement. And part of that has included regular visits to HOME.
The group are always wonderful to welcome in and have given amazing feedback on individual theatre shows…
“OthelloMacbeth was a play with an amazing storyline of knowing how fascinating the characters are. The overall experience was fantastic. Personally I really enjoyed my time at the theatre.” – Rana Umair Hassan, YASP young people project Manchester Mind
“Volunteers and members of our peer support groups in Hulme and Harpurhey went to see Future Bodies at HOME. Everyone enjoyed the play, and it opened up a lot of questions about the mind that we enjoyed discussing after over a coffee. Everyone really appreciated the day out.” – Felix, peer support volunteer Manchester Mind
We have also received lots of general feedback on visiting HOME using the Inspire £1 Ticket scheme…
“Visiting HOME has been great. I’d never seen a theatre performance before and always thought it ‘wasn’t my cup of tea!’ How wrong I was. These performances have opened my eyes, I thoroughly loved each one. As I don’t really socialise, it felt great to be out with a few likeminded people too. I really hope it continues. Basically if it wasn’t for this scheme, I probably would never have and maybe never would see a theatre performance ever” – Tina, peer support group member
“It has been really valuable to meet people in a social setting and share experiences with others, it’s helped me to step out of my comfort zone” – Abby, peer support volunteer
“It was really great to go with my peers on a night out, something I look forward to. The seats we got couldn’t have been better and everyone enjoyed it. It’s so wonderful there are things like this. It gave me hope and faith in other people. God bless them.” – Group member
“I found each visit very enjoyable and inspirational. It also gives me the motivation to visit again. A unique building with very helpful staff” – Craig Steele, Peer Support volunteer
“The theatre performance’s/exhibition at HOME has a big impact on my mental health. It improves my healthy thinking and makes me feel less isolated. Thanks to the friendly staff and volunteers.” – Tina Khan, peer support volunteer
Want to know more about our programme? You can watch this short video.
And if you’re part of a group, charity or voluntary organisation you think would benefit from our #HOMEinspires programme please just get in touch with communities@homemcr.org. We want to welcome everybody into HOME and look forward to hearing from you.