News

As 2025 draws to a close, we're taking a moment to reflect on what has been an extraordinary year for our charity, Open Up.

Thanks to the support of donors, fundraisers, partners and NHS colleagues, they have continued to make a difference to the lives of patients, carers and staff. From moments of joy on hospital wards to long-term investments in recovery and wellbeing, this year has shown what's possible when people come together with compassion and purpose.

Throughout the year, Open Up has helped bring people together in ways that build trust and strengthen relationships. At Langdon Hospital, festive family and friends events created rare opportunities for patients, families and staff to connect and share food, creativity, music and laughter in environments that are often closed to visitors. These moments reminded everyone involved that recovery is about connection as much as care.

On wards across Devon, small but meaningful experiences also made a big difference. Visits from therapy animals, including Patrick the Pony, brought calm, comfort and conversation to older adult mental health wards, lifting spirits and creating memories that stayed with people long after the day itself.

The Children and Family Health Devon Christmas Hamper Project reached another milestone this year, delivering hundreds of thoughtfully prepared hampers to young people in care and care leavers across Devon and Torbay. What began as a small idea has grown into a much-loved community project, offering kindness at a time of year that can be especially difficult.

Open Up have also continued to support early intervention and prevention. The Babes in the Woods programme provided new mothers and their babies with nurturing outdoor spaces to support perinatal mental wellbeing. These sessions didn't just reduce anxiety in the moment; they helped build confidence and lasting support networks.

Longer-term impact has remained central to the charity's work. At New Leaf, part of our Vocational Rehabilitation Service, support from Open Up has helped replace ageing polytunnels with a new multispan growing structure. This investment is creating more opportunities for people to build skills and independence through therapeutic horticulture, while strengthening pathways into employment and community life.

Alongside this, Open Up were proud support the Festival of Human Connection, bringing together people with lived experience, clinicians, peer supporters and community partners to listen, share and explore what helps us feel connected.

This year also marked an important chapter on Open Up's journey, as they continued to build strong foundations for the future. With a clear strategy, a refreshed identity and a growing network of supporters, they are better placed than ever to champion innovation, collaboration and sustainability in mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity care.

You can read more about their projects, progress and plans in their latest Annual Report 2024/25, which sets out in detail how donations and fundraising have been used to improve lives across our communities.

Open Up are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported them this year. Every donation, fundraising challenge, shared story and partnership has helped them bring care and hope into everyday experiences for so many people.

By continuing to support Open Up, you can help them fund more moments of connection, invest in recovery and create lasting, positive change.

Thank you.