Local girl with a big heart supports national charity

A Southampton girl has been winning hearts at a local charity shop. Natalie Hicks is a regular volunteer at the British Heart Foundation charity shop on the High Street in Shirley. Natalie, who is supported by Brooke House, has been part of the team for almost six months and really enjoys the time she spends in the shop.

Brooke House is owned and operated by Craegmoor, who support around 4,000 people with learning disabilities, autism, complex needs and mental illnesses throughout the UK

With support from Brooke House, Natalie is thriving in her part time role, making new friends and helping to raise money for a great cause.

Natalie loves arts, crafts and photography and has always wanted to do voluntary work in the local community. She was thrilled when she was offered a job at the shop where she has learnt new skills and been a real asset to the team.

Natalie’s job includes a variety of tasks from tagging, hanging and steaming clothes, to tidying the shop floor.

Sue Veal, Manager of the British Heart Foundation shop in Southampton said:

“Natalie is great and all our customers love her! It’s brilliant to see how she has come out of her shell since she started working with us and it is a real pleasure to have her around. She’s an asset to the team.”

Natalie said:

“Helping at the shop is fantastic - my work has given me so much confidence. I get to meet new people and do something for charity.  It’s thanks to everyone’s support at Brooke House and the British Heart Foundation that I’m doing these things now.”

Notes for Editors:

Craegmoor supports around 4,000 people with learning disabilities, autism, complex needs and mental illnesses, as well as older people.

The wide range of services offered by Craegmoor include:

• Supported living services
• Residential care
• Specialist further education colleges
• Transition services
• Independent hospitals
• Recovery centres
• Nursing homes
• Specialist brain injury services
• Independent living in secure accommodation
• Craegmoor is one of the leading independent providers of specialist support in the UK with a turnover of approximately £170m and employing over 6,000 people.

Working alongside Primary Care Trusts and Local Authorities, Craegmoor constantly strives to design and deliver new needs-led services, which focus on the principles of choice and independence, enabling people to live with their local community and have fulfilled lives.

In addition to these partnerships, Craegmoor also believes that it is incredibly important to work closely with the people who use its services, their families and carers. People using Craegmoor services can expect staff to be passionate about working with them to achieve their personal goals.