This morning saw the launch of a fantastic new initiative from financial planning firm, Loveday & Partners, and we are thrilled to have been the first charity to benefit.
Created from a desire to extend their support to those in need across Norfolk, L&P invited their network of professionals to attend a breakfast event hosted at popular restaurant Prelude, the Theatre Royal.
Guests enjoyed a selection of delicious food, the opportunity to network with peers and most importantly, an introduction to the work of our charity, The Matthew Project.
Established almost forty years ago, we work together with children, young people, families and adults affected by substance misuse and associated mental health issues across the county. In addition, we also work alongside Veterans struggling with PTSD in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex.
L&P director Deborah Bourassa gave a heartfelt opening to the event with some very kind words about TMP, then handed across to departing CEO Andy Sexton.
Andy shared the following facts:
There was lots of banter in white collar businesses during Covid about wine o’clock or gin o’clock. From March 2020 to March 2021, the UK saw a 58% increase in alcohol consumption. Another national survey also showed increased drug use, withdrawal and overdoses during the same period.
For people aged 16-59 in Norfolk, it is estimated around 44,300 tried a new drug last year. That is a worrying number when you consider Norfolk’s total population is just over 900,000.
Around one in four adults in Norfolk (186,000) drink more than 14 units per week. This is more than 7 pints of beer or 6 glasses of red wine.
We all love a drink, but the challenge is that across the East of England, Norfolk is second in alcohol-related admissions to hospital and is 3% higher than admissions in the rest of England.
With these facts in mind, guests viewed our new film created by Eye Film, sharing real testimonials from service users and information about our award winning Recovery Hub in Norwich.
Next, incoming CEO Rachel Chapman introduced herself and two incredibly brave members of TMP's Recovery Support Programme, Mark and Lucy. Mark and Lucy are in recovery from addiction having received support from The Matthew Project. They have inspirational stories proving that with the right support, there is always hope. Our sincere thanks to them both.
Loveday & Partners and The Matthew Project are very grateful to the local businesses that took the time out of their schedules to attend this event.
These include Rudlings Solicitors, Spire Solicitors, Birketts Solicitors, Rogers & Norton Solicitors, Mills & Reeve Solicitors, Leathes Prior Solicitors, Hatch Brenner Solicitors, Advice By Beyond, Fosters Solicitors, Larking Gowen Accountants, MBC Financial Services and Murrells Chartered Accountants.
The Matthew Project are planning a follow up event on 25th May for all of today's attendees. We truly hope to see all of you there for an opportunity to showcase our work further. Do please RSVP to [email protected] to secure your place.
Our sincere thanks to Loveday & Partners for hosting the Professional Breakfast. Their support of The Matthew Project and other charities across their community is outstanding.