Despite being relatively common, many people who hear voices, see visions or have similar experiences feel alone. Fear of prejudice, discrimination, and being dismissed as crazy can keep people silent. At a time when we are told that it is time to talk, it is important that anyone courageous enough to speak out is met with respect and empathy.

Voices and visions are personally meaningful experiences that happen in the context of peoples lives. This context can include spiritual practice or religion, culture, traumatic life experiences, social injustice, physical illness and/or other difficulties. Our lives are not always easy, and living with voices can be very difficult too.

Hearing Voices Groups offer people who hear voices a safe and supportive space to share their experiences with others and find ways of living with them. However, in the current crisis all groups are closed - removing vital support at a time when it is most needed.

To make things worse, the NHS and community services people might ordinarily use are under stress and more people are left alone with limited contact. Every small thing we can do to make life easier right now is important.

What are we asking for?

As a user-led national charity who supports the development of these groups, we need your help to fund alternative support options for those who need and want them. We are applying for grants to support people too, but want to be able to launch the forum as soon as possible - but just don't have the cash. This campaign gives us the ability to move quickly and put support in place when it's needed. We can build on this if, and when, we get further funds.

We are seeking donations to help us:

Fund an online support forum, in a secure platform that won't be flooded with spam and people can feel safe enough to share what's happening for them with the support of peer-volunteers (people who have been through it themselves). This will help people to build connections with others - even when we can't meet in person.

Create, print and distribute resources (newsletters, isolation-specific coping strategies, information and personal stories) that helps ensure those who do not use the internet are not forgotten and can stay connected.

We have set our target at £500, but every penny we receive will go directly to supporting people who hear voices. We don't have any paid staff, and our main income streams are membership and donations ... every penny and pound makes a difference to us.

Please only donate if, and what, you are able - we know these are difficult times for us all. Stay safe.

If you would like to find out more about us, please see our site: www.hearing-voices.org.

Is you, or someone you care about, struggling with voices/visions during the lockdown, see our Covid-19 Lockdown Survival Guide