‘Shows need for kindness’
Caring Thelma organises mental health support group and gifts
LOYAL reader Thelma Turner-Hill says The News is more than just a newspaper.
Thelma, from Southsea, has been reading The News since she moved to Portsmouth from Wales.
She enjoys the news, the letters pages and the nostalgia, but most of all she appreciates the campaigns The News runs and the support it gives to people with mental health issues.
The married mum-of-two is a carer for someone with a mental health problem so she is acutely aware of the need for more support and provisions in the city.
Thelma runs a support group called Compass Friendly Carers, which holds monthly meetings and organises respite days out.
She said: ‘It is difficult - but living with mental health illness is so sad and many people turn away - that is why so many of them are alone.
‘ The News is great for spreading the word about mental health and its needs in the city. I am so grateful.’
For many years, kind Thelma has also organised a Christmas gift donation scheme, which sees gifts donated by the public given to people receiving care at St James’ Hospital.
Thelma urged people to get involved.
She said: ‘I will be making up tables of cheer . The tables will have flowers, choccies, biscuits, puzzles, magazines and a big card for all the patients to enjoy.
‘I also make bags of individua l gifts for those there who have no family, friends, carers or visitors.
‘Also, I ask the mental health team how many people are living in the community with mental health problems and are alone at this festive time, and I make up bags of cheerful gifts and a card for them.
‘If I have any items left I deliver them to Hope House, a hostel for our local homeless people.
‘It can mean so much to these people, who are alone at this time.’
Donations of gifts and cash can be given to The Carers Centre, 117 Orchard Road, Southsea between 9am and midday Monday to Friday.
Thelma added: ‘I am grateful to The News for supporting mental health in the city, and showing the need for kindness and understanding.’
The News has launched its campaign called We Love The News to share some of the ways that our newspaper has touched the lives of our readers. To appear email kimberley.barber@thenews.co.uk