Staff and volunteers at Waddesdon Manor and the Rothschild Foundation have chosen Hector’s House, which promotes open discussions around mental health to end stigma and prevent suicide, as their official charity of the year for 2021.

Founded in memory of Hector, who took his own life in 2011 at the age of 18, the Berkhamstead-based charity work to end suicide and mental health stigma through education, awareness and support. By delivering talks to local school and spreading awareness, the dedicated team hope to help save the lives of others contemplating suicide, believing that together, we can end suicide.

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of mental health support, and since the start of the pandemic Hector’s House have seen a significant increase in their work. The charity’s online resources, such as the Library of Calm, helplines and meditation classes, help thousands of people, while their provision of tailored signposting for anyone who turns to them looking for support helps approximately 150 people each year. With more and more people needing urgent mental health care, Waddesdon and the Rothschild Foundation therefore hope this timely partnership can help direct more people towards the right care for them.

Simon Wales, Chief Executive Officer at Waddesdon, said ‘I am thrilled to announce that, having received the most votes from staff and volunteers, Hector’s House are Waddesdon’s Charity of the Year 2021. Mental health support is crucial, and this has only become clearer following the difficulties of the past year. We look forward supporting this worthwhile charity and its incredibly important cause.’’

Robert Stringer, Trustee at Hector’s House, said: “We were blown away by the news of becoming Charity of the Year 2021 – which we received the day before the 10-year anniversary of Hector’s death. It really felt as though Hec was smiling down on us. The Stringer family and Hector’s House team cannot thank everyone at Waddesdon and the Rothschild Foundation enough for this opportunity and awareness.”

As the winning charity, Hector’s House will receive a grant from the Rothschild Foundation, a grant-making charity based at Waddesdon benefiting Buckinghamshire communities, and support from staff and volunteers at events throughout the year.