Every year the new Mayor of St Albans City and District chooses one or more charities to support during their mayoral year. At the Annual Council meeting on 22 May 2013, Councillor Annie Brewster was made Mayor. At that meeting she announced that she will be raising funds for the newly opened Living Room addiction treatment centre as her main charity.
Cllr Brewster said: “Through my life in sport and work as a Magistrate, I have seen how addictions affect people from every walk of life. Although alcohol and drug misuse grab the main headlines, other behavioural addictions and eating disorders can equally destroy the lives of the addict, their friends and families. I am really delighted that I can support The Living Room in my Mayoral year. I am also looking forward to fundraising for other local charities and organisations, holding specific events for them.”
The Living Room
Hertfordshire charity, The Living Room, helps people become free of addictions. It enables people to overcome drug and alcohol misuse, eating disorders and behavioural addictions such as love, sex addiction and problem gambling. As addiction touches the lives of family and friends, the charity also provides support to children, parents, grandparents and friends.
The Living Room began its work in Stevenage in 2000. It opened its therapy centre in St Albans in 2012, supported by funding from Hertfordshire County Council and the people and churches of St Albans. The St Albans centre provides therapeutic interventions for all addictions, support for family members, and parenting workshops in partnership with the charity, Family Lives.
The charity’s patron is HM Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, the Countess of Verulam.
Janis Feely MBE, Founder and CEO of The Living Room, said: “We are very grateful to the Mayor for choosing The Living Room as her main charity for the year. Many people who have been supported by The Living Room have re-entered employment or education, or have seen their broken families restored. Children who were in ‘looked after care’ have returned to parents who have gained recovery. The Mayor’s invaluable support will enable even more people gain freedom.”
Cllr Annie Brewster, The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City and District of St Albans
Contact for the Mayor’s office:
Alison Orde, the Mayor’s Civic Officer
Tel: 01727 819544 E-mail: mayoralty@stalbans.gov.uk
Contact for the press:
Ruth Boyer, Communications Officer
Tel: 01727 819316. E-mail: ruth.boyer@stalbans.gov.uk
St Albans City and District Council
Notes:
*The Annual Council meeting on Wednesday 22 May was webcast, and can be accessed through the Council’s website by looking under 'Recent Webcasts' and selecting “Council Wed, 22 May 2013 - 7pm”.
The Mayor’s charity:
The Living Room
Tel: 01727 854479
http://www.thelivingroom.me.uk/
Registered charity number:1080634