Phoenix Bereavement Support Services is the only local specialist bereavement service helping children, young people (aged 5-21) and their families cope following the death of someone close. 70% of their referrals relate to sudden or violent causes, including road traffic or other accidents, acute illnesses, drug/alcohol misuse, and suicide.  

With their support, families and individuals develop understanding of the normal process of grief, and share and process their experience. They learn to identify problems and apply coping and self-care strategies. Phoenix Bereavement Support Services offer family, peer-group and individual sessions free of charge; ensuring their service is accessible to everyone. 

Ellie’s support delivers support outreach for Phoenix Bereavement Support Services in locations around the county.  

North Herefordshire Shopmobility provides mobility support for residents and visitors who face physical challenges; helping them maintain independence and access towns safely. They achieve this by conducting community outreach, raising awareness of mobility challenges, and encouraging inclusion for all residents. Their service offers a fleet of mobility scooters and wheelchairs that can be borrowed on a short-term or long-term basis, enabling people to get to shops, appointments, social activities, and community events. They also provide advice and guidance on safe use of mobility aids, and trains volunteers to assist users.  

“By helping residents maintain independence, Shopmobility indirectly encourages a more inclusive and thriving community, ensuring that businesses can serve all members of the population.” 

With the help of Ellie’s donation, North Herefordshire Shopmobility continues to support individuals; enhancing quality of life and reducing social isolation.  

Caring For Communities and People offers family, community, and housing related support to people to prevent the causes and reduce the effects of homelessness, family breakdown, and social exclusion.  

Ellie’s Constituency Fund empowers the implementation of an outdoor wellbeing and creativity programme. This project aims to tackle inequality by improving mental health, reducing social isolation, and increasing confidence through practical, nature-based activities that encourage connection, creativity, and peer support. The funding helps cover transport costs, outdoor equipment, materials, refreshments, and participation in wellbeing activities delivered in partnership with other local organisations.   

Herefordshire Mencap works with families and local people with special educational needs. The charity has 8 trustees, 5 of whom have lived experience of learning disability. The trustees with lived experience direct the charity’s work, talk to people, and campaign for equality for people with learning disabilities.  

Ellie’s funding has facilitated their Stay Up Late Campaign. To kick-start the campaign, Herefordshire Mencap is hosting a gig in November to support individuals leading active social lives.  

Colwall Youth Project supports individuals aged 9-21 to aid development and maturity to improve lives and circumstances. Colwall Youth Project meets young people through youth groups, mentoring, one-to-one support, schools work, or quiet conversations in the community.  

“The laughter, the challenges, the meals shared, and the stories told all build connection. We do not measure our work in numbers or sessions but in relationships that last and in the sense of home that grows within them.” 

Ellie’s Constituency Funding will help make it possible for Colwall Youth Project to create a permanent, welcoming base for youth work at Unit 10, near Colwall’s railway station. This includes accessible toilets, fire safety measures, and a kitchen.  

Since their opening in 2020, Bromyard Food Bank and Money Advice Centre offers financial support to individuals; providing emergency food parcels and free and confidential Budget Coaching. While emergency food remains an essential part of their work, they increasingly focus on early intervention, pratical support, and helping people addres the underlying causes of poverty before situations escalate further.

Ellie’s donations help sustain the general operations of Bromyard Food Bank and Money Advice Centre to deliver safe, compassionate and reliable support locally. The funding also strengthens the preventative work they now undertake alongside food provision.

Accessible Herefordshire strengthens the link between disabled communities, tourists, and visitors, with Herefordshire businesses. They provide up-to-date information detailing inclusive and accessible activities, including travel information, venues, events, restaurants, and places to stay.  

Ellie’s support is allocated towards the North Star Access Project; tackling inequality by empowering disabled people to become accessibility champions in their communities. This project addresses inequality by placing disabled people at the centre of decision-making to include those who experience barriers first hard.  

“The North Stars Access Project will reduce barriers, amplify disabled voices and help create a more equal, inclusive and accessible community for everyone.” 

Growing Point supports children and adults across Herefordshire who are living with physical and mental health challenges, offering the chance to enjoy the creative and therapeutic benefits of gardening. Their sessions provide a friendly, supportive space where people can relax, connect with others, and take pride in growing and caring for plants.

With support from Dr Ellie Chowns Constituency Fund, Growing Point can run a series of gardening sessions for participants, helping more people enjoy time outdoors, boost their wellbeing, and feel part of a caring community through shared creative activity.

Encore Enterprises works with schools and early years settings to embed inclusive music-making into the curriculum, ensuring that all children, regardless of background or ability, can take part and benefit. Their programmes support young children’s development through accessible, high-quality music activities, while also building staff confidence and skills.

With support from Dr Ellie Chowns Constituency Fund, Encore Enterprises can continue delivering inclusive music programmes and training, providing educators with the resources they need to offer meaningful music experiences that support creativity, communication, and participation for every child.

Herefordshire City of Sanctuary is an association supporting people from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Vietnam, and Somalia through English lessons, sports activities, and wellbeing sessions. With support from Dr Ellie Chowns’s Constituency Fund, the association has been able to continue daily activities that promote integration and community cohesion. This includes providing ESOL resources for English lessons, enabling Afghan women to attend local events and activities, restarting outreach sessions to help communities better understand refugee experiences, and delivering “courageous conversations” workshops to challenge harmful narratives.

Home-Start Herefordshire is an independent charity that provides support and friendship to families with children aged 0-18 who are experiencing stress and challenges. They recruit and train volunteers to visit families at home, offering informal, friendly, and confidential support tailored to each family’s specific needs. Their services include signposting to additional help, practical support, and emotional guidance for issues such as parenting difficulties, bereavement, and domestic abuse.

With support from Ellie’s Constituency Fund, Home-Start Herefordshire continues its work helping families across the county, ensuring that the earliest years of a child’s life are stable, loving, and full of opportunity – making a lasting difference for the future.

Vennture is an independent charity dedicated to helping people in difficult situations to make a fresh start. Committed to support the local community, Vennture works wherever help is needed – in homes, on the streets, in schools and prisons, or at their safe hub – providing hope, guidance, and practical support to empower individuals to overcome challenges and embrace new beginnings.

With support from Ellie’s Constituency Fund, Vennture is able to continue its work, training and equipping volunteers, supporting families in rural areas, providing emergency assistance to those in crisis, and delivering the ongoing Vennture Response in North Herefordshire.

Through these efforts, Vennture ensures local individuals and families can access essential help and build the foundations for a more positive future.

The Living Room Hereford provides essential support to the local community, offering a community larder, café, mental health support, refugee assistance, and help for people experiencing homelessness.

The centre remains a safe and inclusive environment where individuals can access support, connect with others, and rebuild confidence and wellbeing.

With support from Ellie’s Constituency Fund, Ethos repaired the flooring in the shower and washing area at the back of the building. New flooring was required due to flood damage after a broken drain.

Hope Centre Bromyard provides a welcoming community space designed to reduce social isolation and support wellbeing. With its outdoor sensory and community garden area, the centre offers opportunities for relaxation, socialisation, and connection with nature.

With support from Ellie’s Constituency Fund, the Hope Centre can continue offering these vital services, giving local families and individuals a safe, inclusive environment to take part in activities that promote mental health, friendship, and community engagement.

“We are very grateful to Ellie Chowns MP. Her Constituency Fund has allocated funding to Young Cart Shed, which will support 12 sessions of our youngest Young Cart Shed programe, Explore the Woods, for 10-13 year olds.”- Member of The Cart Shed charity

Explore the Woods responds to increasing anxiety and school absence among younger pupils, challenges worsened by the pandemic, social pressures, and wider global concerns. The Cart Shed’s unique approach combines qualified mental health support, creative making, connection with nature, and a welcoming, non-judgemental community.

As one participant beautifully said: “The Cart Shed soup is made of love.”

Close House Projects in Hereford is a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping young people aged 11 to 24 become mature, be helpful, and grow hungry for a full life. It provides a safe space for young people to access activities, groups, and services, offering opportunities to get creative and express themselves through Art and Music After School Workshops. The EPIC Volunteering Programme engages young people within the community. The centre aims to break the cycle of negative experiences and behaviours, helping young people find hope and aspiration. Close House Project operates a cafe drop in in Hereford city centre and youth centres in other areas within Hereford, with trained staff and volunteers to support the needs of young people.

With the help of Ellie’s Constituency Fund, Close House Projects was able to provide 4x Drop-in sessions – including food for everyone – for 100 young people.

Alternative provision for vulnerable children with complex social, emotional, and behavioral needs at Ledbury Primary School. The grant from Ellie’s Constituency Fund was used towards the purchase of shed making materials which the children helped construct.  This became the hub for activities such as woodworking, gardening, art and crafts and STEM activities. The “Nurture Group” uses the shed as its ongoing base.

“Our KITE sessions deliver accessible, inclusive activities to disabled young people aged 25 and under. The sessions facilitate friendship-building, hands-on learning experiences, physical activity, creativity, and skill development among the participants. The young people also get to have fun, whilst we provide essential respite to their families, helping to promote family resilience and prevention of reaching ‘crisis point’.”

‘Without funding from the Constituency Fund, we would not have been able to run this session, enabling disabled children and young adults to access an opportunity to take part in activities and socialise with each other. We are very grateful for the generosity shown to us by Ellie Chowns said Meg Chambers, session leader

‘My daughter was able to go somewhere to be with friends in a safe and accepting environment , to be confident to be herself without judgement.’ – Parent of an attendee

Wellington Play Area opened in August 2025 – a much needed and wished for facility for the village and surrounding parishes.  The aims of the project are to: help children get fresh air; strengthen muscles; reduce screen dependency; develop balance and co-ordination and give the community a new hub for interaction with each other.