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‘He was loved by many’: Fund launched to remember ‘fantastic, creative’ York man

Wed 31 May 2023 @ 8:01am - News
YorkMix

Loved by many: Glenn Sweetman. Photographs: Glenn's family

A fund has been launched to remember an ‘absolute top guy’ who never stopped thinking of others.

Glenn Sweetman died recently aged 39.

He was an active participant at community organisation Tang Hall SMART – and they have launched the fund “to honour everything Glenn stood for, and to allow Tang Hall SMART to extend its work with people experiencing addiction and poor mental health”.

York Theatre Royal

The organisation’s chief executive Sue Williamson said: “Glenn was one of our people, a fantastic creative guy, who left behind some wonderful writing, art and music.

“He struggled with addiction and mental health, but never stopped caring about others. We organised an evening to honour his creativity, and the room was packed with people who knew and loved Glenn.

“There were readings from a booklet we have compiled of Glenn’s writings, we played some of his compositions, and people had a chance to remember the brightness of Glenn.

Glenn Sweetman fund »
He left behind some wonderful writing, art and music

“I thought this was important to do, to remember all that Glenn was and all that he gave because otherwise, when someone dies young it can feel unbearable, just thinking of what could have been.”

Glenn died of an overdose in March.

“The Glenn Sweetman Memorial Fund has been created to honour everything Glenn stood for, compassion, hopefulness, resilience, and endless creativity,” said Sue

“Glenn had struggled with addiction and his mental health for many years, and his own writings on the subject are incredibly powerful, but he never stopped looking for something positive in the midst of overwhelming struggles. He was an absolute top guy!”

‘Missed tremendously’

Always creating: Glenn

Glenn’s mum Sue Sweetman said: “Glenn was a considerate, compassionate and thoughtful human being. Despite his high intellect, he made some foolish decisions in his younger days, that set him on a very destructive and joyless path.

“He struggled on and off for several years of his life to break free from this devastating disease, because that is what addiction is – coming out on top, on several occasions.

“But ultimately it had a severe impact on his mental health and he would spiral into deep depressions, which led him back to the poisons that were the very cause of all his anxieties and problems in the first place. A vicious circle of cause and effect that is addiction.

He became productive again at Tang Hall SMART

Where to get help

When life is difficult, Samaritans are available – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123. And the following organisations also offer advice and help

Show more +

Samaritans is available for anyone struggling to cope and provide a safe place to talk 24 hours a day.
Phone: 116 123
Visit the Samaritans website

SOS Silence of Suicide provides a listening service For children and adults who need emotional support, understanding, compassion & kindness.
Phone: 0300 102 0505
Visit the SOS Silence of Suicide website

Shout is a 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone struggling to cope and in need of immediate help.
Text SHOUT to 85258
Visit the Shout website here

HOPELineUK offer support, practical advice and information to young people considering suicide and can also offer help and advice if you’re concerned about someone you know.
Phone: 0800 068 41 41
Visit the Papyrus website

CALM, the campaign against living miserably is a suicide prevention charity that offers free, anonymous and confidential support via their helpline and webchat for anyone who is in crisis.
Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily 5pm-midnight)
Visit the CALM website

Lifeline provides support to people suffering distress or despair in Northern Ireland, regardless of age or district.
Phone: 0808 808 8000 (24 hours a day)
Visit the Lifeline website

Community Advice & Listening Line offers emotional support and information on mental health and related matters to people in Wales.
Phone: 0800 132 737 (24/7) or text “help” to 81066
Visit the Community Advice & Listening Line website

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide exists to meet the needs and break the isolation of those bereaved by the suicide of a close relative or friend.
Phone: 0300 111 5065 (9am to 9pm daily)Visit the Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide website

Show less –

“He engaged with Sue and her team at Tang Hall Smart, here he found a community of caring, supportive people, that gave him encouragement and opportunities to work on his art, music and writing.

“He became productive again, and it gave him a sense of self-worth and confidence that had been destroyed by his drug and alcohol dependency.

“Sue and her team do great things in the community, and were a constant in Glenn’s turbulent life, He was always full of hope for a future when he returned from one of his days there. I know he was not the only person they have thrown a lifeline to.

“He was loved by many and will be missed tremendously.

“He would be delighted to know that a memorial fund in his name will be available to help others, who like him, find themselves struggling with life, find a welcoming, non-judgemental community to make the bad days seem bearable.”

Anyone who wishes to donate to the fund, either by buying a booklet of Glenn’s writing, a T-shirt with one of Glenn’s designs, or simply with a donation can do so by going here.

  • If you are someone who is experiencing addiction and poor mental health, particularly when this has resulted in a period of homelessness, and you are interested in finding out about how Tang Hall SMART’s courses and sessions might be able to help you, please email [email protected] or text 07725 997342

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Wed 31 May, 2023

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