Winchester funeral home hosts garden fundraiser for youth mental health
A spring garden party at a Winchester funeral home raised over £4,000 for Winchester Youth Counselling during Mental Health Week 2026. Mayor Sudhakar Achwal and local leaders attended the event, highlighting rising youth suicide rates as a critical concern.
Chesil House, the historic venue of Richard Steel & Partners funeral directors, transformed into a fundraising hub last Friday as more than 150 guests gathered for a garden party that raised £4,200 for Winchester Youth Counselling.
Mental Health Week 2026 provided the backdrop for the event, which featured a live string quartet, silent auction, and bottle raffle. Local businesses including Boomtown Fair, Camp Bestival, and The Grange Festival donated prizes, while Dr. Hannah Reidy, CEO of Winchester Youth Counselling, emphasized the urgency of the charity’s work.
Key Points
- ✅ £4,200 raised in one evening for free youth counselling services
- ⚡ 3,000 free counselling sessions delivered last year across Winchester district
- 💡 One in three classrooms in Winchester has a student supported by WYC
Mayor of Winchester Cllr Sudhakar Achwal called youth counselling “invaluable,” citing rising pressures on young people. “Too many face overwhelming challenges,” he said. “The work of Winchester Youth Counselling is essential.” Iain Steel, company director at Richard Steel & Partners, echoed the sentiment: “These are challenging times for our youth. Suicide rates are tragically rising.”
| Contributor | Role | Donation Type |
|---|---|---|
| Boomtown Fair | Event Sponsor | Silent Auction Prize |
| The Grange Festival | Cultural Partner | Raffle Prize |
| Voco Winchester | Local Business | Sponsorship |
The funeral directors, serving families since 1860, waived venue fees to maximize funds for the charity. Winchester Youth Counselling, now in its 25th year, provides free sessions to ages 11–25. Last year alone, it supported one child in every classroom across the district.
📋 By The Numbers
- 25 years — Winchester Youth Counselling has operated in the district
- 3,000 sessions — Free counselling delivered annually to local youth
- 1 in 3 classrooms — A student supported by WYC in every classroom
Dr. Reidy stressed the charity’s reach: “We’ve helped someone you know.” The event underscored community solidarity amid rising mental health crises among young people in Hampshire.
💡 Pro Tip
Attend local mental health fundraisers—even small events can drive significant impact when businesses and residents unite.
For nearly 166 years, Richard Steel & Partners has balanced tradition with community responsibility. The garden party’s success reflects a growing recognition that mental health support must be accessible—and funded—at the grassroots level.