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Introducing The Marlowes' Charity of the Year for 2023 - British Heart Foundation! Ahead of World Heart Day on 29th September we are shining a light on the fantastic work of this amazing charity/ Listen to find out more.

For this episode of Hemel Talk, host Sophie Sulehria went to speak to the team at Sebby's Corner, a local charity whose ethos is that every child should have the essentials they need to thrive. After previously collaborating with The Marlowes Shopping Centre for their 24 Days of Gifting advent calendar last Christmas, Sophie was interested to know more about the behind the scenes of this fantastic charity, and to hear real stories of how so many lives have been impacted. Sebby's Corner helps many different types of families, with 41% of their audience being single parents, and 37% refugees or asylum seekers. Their work is tailored to the families they help, to ensure they have everything they need to get by. Find out more about this amazing charity in this episode!

For our first Hemel Talk episode of 2023, our host Sophie Sulehria visited The Marlowes' resident charity, Electric Umbrella. The charity prides itself on creative live music and interacting experiences for learning disabled people, and challenging people to think differently about those that are different from them. In the episode, Sophie speaks to Tom Billington, Musician and CEO of the charity, to find out more about its origins and how the news spread so rapidly during the COVID lockdowns. Music proved to be a great way to bring people together and get creative, and could be run over Zoom to include endless numbers of participants. Electric Umbrella's 'emporium' is truly one that has to be experienced in person, and is located in the heart of The Marlowes Shopping Centre. The emporium is a hub for live music sessions, a shop for pre-loved instruments, and a workshop for instruments that can no longer be played. Find out more on this episode of Hemel Talk!

In the latest episode of The Marlowes Shopping Centre’s podcast, Hemel Talk, host Sophie Sulehria revisits The Marlowes’ chosen charity DENS one year since the very first episode. This time, Sophie headed to the DENS residential area, The Elms, to find out more about their 44 bedroom accommodation block, complete with kitchen, allotment, and courses to build skills and confidence. Listen now!

In the latest episode of The Marlowes Shopping Centre’s podcast, Hemel Talk, host Sophie Sulehria speaks to the Lions Book Shop regarding their fantastic fundraising efforts.  The Lions Club was established in 1917 and globally has over 1.4 million volunteers – more than any other service club organisation. The Lions Book Shop is celebrating its 14th year within The Marlowes Shopping Centre and serves as a major fundraising hub for Hertfordshire.  Find out more about how the book shop raises funds for some amazing charities, and the additional fundraising efforts of the team, in this brand new episode.

To mark Mental Health Awareness week this week, host Sophie Sulehria visited The Hertfordshire Mind Network to hear more about the services they offer to help combat mental health issues and promote wellbeing.   Find out more about their work to ensure that nobody has to face their struggles alone, and how anyone above the age of 10 living in Hertfordshire can take advantage of their services.

In this episode, Sophie visits the Hemel Food Garden, one of the sites of the Sunnyside Rural Trust. Sunnyside are a horticultural social enterprise and charity, providing support and work experience for people of all ages with learning disabilities and physical challenges.  With sites in Hemel Hempstead, Northchurch and Berkhamsted, the team talk to Sophie about what the Trust has done to benefit their mental wellbeing and how the organisation contributes to the local community through the farm shop and cafe.

In this episode, host Sophie Sulehria visits DENS.

In this episode, host Sophie Sulehria visits a local riding school which provides therapeutic sessions for individuals with a range of disabilities.  Sophie meets Bill and Melvin, two of the four-legged stars of the show and talks to Louise and Karen who work tirelessly to run the centre and ensure it is fully funded to the tune of £100k per year.  Take a listen to hear all about this hidden gem in the Hertfordshire countryside helping the physical and mental wellbeing of so many.