The Showmen’s Mental Health Awareness Charity

This charity works nationally, and is run by, and for, people from the Showmen and fairground community.  It aims specifically to support people within the community who are struggling with poor mental health, and break the stigma associated with it. The work is does aims to help people across three main operation areas: mental health services; education; and awareness.

In February 2025, the Allen Lane Foundation agreed a grant of £5,000.  The funding is to contribute towards general running costs of the charity.  Overall outcomes of the work are that it helps to improve the mental health and wellbeing of Showmen; increases the educational outcomes for children and young people from Showmen families; and it enables Showmen to increase their skills and employability.

www.showmensmentalhealth.com

 

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Harmony & Health Singers

Harmony & Health Singers is a group for people to come together and feel the benefits of singing together.  It meets twice a week in different locations in the coastal town of Fleetwood in Lancashire and around 100 people each week benefit, the majority of whom are older people.  The group aims to contribute to both physical and social wellbeing and also as a way to reduce loneliness, and for some people reduce appointments at local GP surgeries.  In addition to rehearsing, the singers perform at various locations throughout the year, including at residential and care homes, where residents are encouraged to join in.

The Group received funding from the Allen Lane Foundation in February 2025. This was for £2,000 as a contribution towards the rent of space for rehearsals.

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West Hull Community Hub

West Hull Community Hub is a constituted group that was established in 2021. It aims to address social exclusion and support vulnerable individuals, especially older adults and carers in one of the most deprived parts of Hull.  Key activities include weekly Warm Welcome sessions with a hot meal and activities, coffee mornings, drop-in advice service and social activities. At least 80% of those attending are elderly.

In February 2025, the Foundation’s trustees agreed funding of £7,000 split over a two-year period. The grant is towards the annual costs of delivering sessions and associated activities, as well as to increase staffing capacity. It is expected that up to 400 older people will benefit.  Intended outcomes are that older people are more connected and develop lasting friendships; they and their carers understand the support and services available to them to live better; and that they have a more active role in creating a cohesive society.

www.westhullcommunityhub.org.uk

 

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Blown Fuse

Blown Fuse works across Essex as a creative arts organisation, using storytelling, theatre and technology to explore new performance possibilities. It aims to make the arts accessible to all, and uses it as a platform for sharing underrepresented stories, fostering empathy for marginalised communities, and building connections across communities.

The organisation received funding from the Allen Lane Foundation in February 2025. A grant of £4,886 has been awarded to contribute towards the delivery costs of creative arts workshops with women through two schemes: with women in prison at HMP East Sutton near Maidstone; and with women on probation working with the Advance Charity’s new Women’s Centre in Chelmsford. Blown Fuse will deliver a series of writing and poetry workshops with the women, aiming to give the participants a voice and provide a sense of community. Intended outcomes are that the project will improve women’s mental health; lower offending rates; and increase employability skills.

www.blownfusetheatre.co.uk

 

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After 18

After 18 is a charitable organisation working in central Leicester. It provides a range of support services and specialist information for young refugees and asylum seekers, aiming to provide educational and wellbeing support.  Regular work includes English and maths tuition, weekly drop-in sessions, and access to opportunities for career and academic progression.

At the Trustees meeting in February 2025, the Foundation agreed funding of £7,500. The grant is to fund the continuation of the charity’s weekly wellbeing group for young asylum seeking or refugee women. The group supports around 30 women aged 18-25, the majority of whom arrived in the UK without their families and are now living in Leicester or the surrounding area. Two-hour sessions run each Friday, where the women collectively chose an activity such as cooking, yoga or bracelet-making for example.  Staff and volunteers provide practical and emotional support and mentoring outside the sessions too.  Outcomes for the women include reduced feelings of isolation and loneliness, increased confidence, and better opportunities in life moving forward.

www.after18.org.uk

 

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