Dear Richmond Fellowship Colleagues.
It is high time for us to get in touch with you all and the festive season provides a special opportunity to communicate and say: “We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”!
You may have been surprised at the above new name. We were very reluctant indeed to make this change as the word “Fellowship” conveys the very basis of the work of all of us, both here in the U.K. and abroad: fellowship in drawing closer to those who suffer mental illness and live in despair; fellowship amongst those who wish to come to the rescue which involves learning from shared experience and, hopefully, fellowship between those countries that have and those that have not been able to develop services for the mentally ill, so that the latter may find a way to re-integrate their outcasts. We would have wished to keep our name which symbolises our bond with you all.
However, in view of the fact that a substantial Richmond Fellowship operates in the UK, a concern arose about possible confusion between that charity and the Richmond Fellowship Foundation International (RFFI), and we therefore reluctantly agreed to look for a new name. This task was not easy because of the great number of UK charities with overlapping use of the same words, but we are content with the final choice: “ Richmond Psychosocial Foundation International” (RPFI) – which clearly indicates what our work is about but – for short – we will no doubt soon call ourselves “Richmond Foundation.” We remain concerned not to lose the important connotation of fellowship and of a cherished relationship with you all.
In our experience, the ability to establish the Fellowship’s work in new countries has always been dependent not only on a substantial input of expertise and funds, but also on the fact that we have achieved recognition as making an essential contribution in other countries. In our recently renewed endeavour to introduce mental health services in countries where little or no help exists to date, it is therefore vital that we receive the backing of those other Fellowships that are well-established – backing at least in terms of moral support and communication, although contributions in terms of funds and
expertise would naturally be very welcome!
We have been fortunate in being able to appoint a development officer, Jim Maund. His task will be to keep in contact with all our counterparts abroad, with the aim of re-establishing regular communication and strengthening our common bonds and also to raise funds, especially for new projects in those developing countries where mentally ill people are still shunned and denied their basic human rights. We are in the process of establishing in the UK a number of therapeutic Care Homes which can be used as models and training grounds for staff in this country and abroad. This work has been an uphill battle, not only because we had to re-start this initiative with scarcely any funding and without organisational records, but also because of ever-increasing government requirements – a mixed blessing which, presumably, all Fellowships in developed countries are having to cope with.
The spread of Richmond Fellowship projects across the globe is very impressive, and the reputation of the Organisations continues to be very high in all circles. The Asia–Pacific Forum has made excellent use of its common bond; it has strengthened its members and their influence world-wide by means of its biennial conference, and we hope that this initiative may be extended geographically and re-enforced by written communication. Here in the UK we are in regular contact with a number of our “Affiliates” – a title which should by now be changed to “Associates” – but we receive little news from others. We hope to build up a stronger Association with an identifiable membership, which can provide a global picture but also give a profile of each National or State RF. This would not only make it easier for all of us to strengthen our work but would also enable professionals, staff and clients to make contact when moving abroad and, last but not least, it would assist the work in developing countries which are eager to introduce mental health services.
We would very much like to know your views on strengthening the bonds between us. We know that there have been significant developments in, for example, Australia during the time since RFI changed its name to the “Reason Partnership” and lost touch with our colleagues abroad. Our hope is that we can nevertheless rekindle and retain the sense of fellowship and community that originally inspired us.
We have started a modest web site which we hope to develop as well as providing links to the web sites of all the Richmond Fellowships Organisations. It could also prove useful to us all if we could build up a register of all the RF facilities in each country and state. This exercise should not take too much time and any aid or suggestions offered would be most welcome. We hope that you will take the time to send us annual updates with details and pictures of your services but also conveying any innovations you have made, any problems you have had to overcome, and any lessons learned which might help us all.
We provide hereby a questionnaire which we fervently (!) hope you will take the trouble to complete.
It will help us to do our work and we believe it will also be of value to each of you. I attach details of our own current activities and structure in the UK, in the spirit of sharing with you all.
It is now 50 years ago that the first Richmond Fellowship was born here in Richmond. It feels like yesterday! But much has happened since – many people have been rescued, and a great deal more can be done for that part of humanity which we all have chosen to serve …if we can pull together.
With my warmest memories, and with greetings from us all!
Elly Jansen, Interim CEO/Board Co-ordinator