More ‘Stars for Stars’ awarded to Southampton mental health friendly organisations & individuals
A group of community-nominated Southampton individuals and organisations have this month been crowned our ‘stars’ for championing kindness and positive approaches to mental health citywide (April 2026).
We invited people to nominate those creating kind environments and promoting good mental health at the start of the year.
Chloe, our Administrator, explains: “Every quarter, we open nominations for businesses, charities, organisations and individuals who residents and workers in our city believe deserve recognition and to be named as one of our coveted Southampton Stars.
Round of nominations
“We’ve recently completed our third round of nominations, which highlighted a fantastic group of recipients. These included Hammersley Homes, Unpaid Carers Support Southampton, St Christopher’s Church in Thornhill for its Family Activity Mornings and Awaaz FM Community Radio.
“We were also delighted to receive nominations for some very special individuals making a real difference in the city. They’re the reception team at Living Well Partnership – Bitterne Park Surgery, Louise Hallett founder of Hammersley Homes and Sarah Renaut from Southampton Street Angels. The range and quality of nominations this quarter was wonderful and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who took the time to put an organisation, business or person forward.”
Truly understood
We heard in its numerous anonymous nominations how Hammersley Homes was the first organisation where one nominator felt truly understood.
The team at Unpaid Carers Support Southampton was nominated for its longstanding commitment to supporting carers’ mental health and wellbeing.
Feel less isolated
The team also heard how Awaaz FM Community Radio goes far beyond the role of a traditional radio station by actively supporting mental health and wellbeing within the community, including creating safe, inclusive physical and virtual spaces where individuals can talk openly and feel less isolated. Another nominator praised the volunteers at St Christopher’s Church’s Family Activity Mornings for creating a welcoming, calm and inclusive environment for families.
Reassurance & support
The receptionists at Living Well Partnership – Bitterne Park Surgery also received a star in this tranche for being exceptionally kind, patient and efficient by their anonymous nominator who said: “They consistently provide reassurance and support, especially to individuals experiencing anxiety, giving them time and space to express their needs without judgement.”
Meanwhile, Louise Hallett was nominated for being ‘the beating heart of Hammersley Homes’. The nominator believes the organisation, which provides support for life for adults experiencing mental health challenges and psychotic illnesses, would not exist without her continued commitment, passion and leadership.
Another individual recipient this quarter was Sarah Renaut, who was nominated for her work helping homeless people. The nomination recognises her personal contribution and commitment through Southampton Street Angels.
How Stars for Stars began
The Stars for Stars initiative was conceived by our co-founding member, and the first leader of its SMILE (Southampton Mental Illness Lived Experience) group, Saire Herschel-Clark. Find out more here.
How to nominate for this quarter
We’re now asking people to get in touch to put forward anyone they think deserves a star in the April to June quarter. Please nominate them here!
Photo taken with thanks to Tim Kenyon Photography. Thank you also to the Citizens Advice Southampton for hosting us.