It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce the closure of You Raise Me Up due to a lack of ongoing financial support.

We have loved being able to support so many families for the last 15 years in memory of Megan and Jane Brooks.
We would like to thank everyone who has supported the charity for the past 15 years and we are so grateful to have had this opportunity for as long as we have.
We also pay tribute to all our staff, counsellors and supporters – including many local businesses – for all the hard work they have done. It has been a privilege working with everyone.
You Raise Me Up has been an incredibly special place for so many and we will treasure the experiences we have had and the wonderful families we have met.
This decision has not been easy and we have explored all viable options, but unfortunately due to a lack of sustained financial support and rising operational costs we can no longer operate.
This is an incredibly difficult time and we know how much upset this will cause. But we are immensely proud of everything You Raise Me Up has achieved. Megan and Jane’s legacy will continue beyond the organisation itself.
As of now we will no longer be operating. Our priority now is to ensure a responsible and compassionate wind-down.
Should you have any questions, please email trustees@youraisemeup.co.uk

Ben Mariner

On 1st May 2019, sadly my 25 year old son Ben took his own life.

I had been part of a successful Private Mental Health hospital, supporting a number of people both male and females of all ages with various issues concerning Mental Health.  I worked my way up from Ward Admin to Senior Business Administrator.  I felt I had to return to work as soon as possible as I didn’t want to let anyone down, least of all the patients.  Before long it became obvious to me, even though I fought very hard that I was not coping.  The years of worry and stress of trying to support my son and other people had finally taken its toll on my wellbeing and I was suffering from anxiety and depression.

I needed help and quickly.  I tried the normal avenues, but they did not specifically cater for someone in my position, I was only offered group sessions.  I knew that I wasn’t ready to share my experience with a group.  I felt I couldn’t take on anyone else’s grief.

Lauren Henty is a softly spoken, person who instilled calm and gentleness the minute I met her.  We talked about most of my life going right back to when I was a lot younger.  I found Lauren to be non-judgemental and uncommonly kind and understanding.  I was able to share painful experiences and thoughts that you would not be able to share normally with friends or family.

Counselling is a journey of self-healing with support.  You are able to share difficult subjects, thoughts and emotions with more freedom.  Trust is a massive part of each session.  Lauren has helped me work through each stage in my life that my particular journey took me down.  You close doors on past experiences and feel you have dealt with them.  When you suffer a trauma and shock it opens those doors and makes you judge yourself without mercy.  You doubt every decision you have made in the past and linger over what ifs and could/should I have done things differently. Lauren has taught me to be gentle with myself and not have to validate the feelings of anxiety, self loathing, failure, anger, frustration, relief and depression through the loss of my son.

I am so glad I picked up that phone back in August and had the courage to admit that I needed help.  I made that first step and it was the best decision I made. My experience was complex and very individual to myself.  I have learnt to take things more slowly and that the shock and trauma of my son’s death changed me and my life forever.  Slowly I am working my way back and learning to accept the changes.

All I have are memories and wondering what his life might have been.  I can only remember him no matter how much it hurts and walk with him by my side through my life.  No one can take him away from my heart.

Stephanie Turner