HAMPSHIRE-raised singer-songwriter Rumer has gained worldwide recognition and considerable critical and commercial success.

Her fans range from Elton John to Richard Carpenter, who wrote to offer his congratulations for her debut album for creating something “actually musical, which has been in short supply in recent years”.

But Rumer, 34, who will be visiting the south on her headline tour next month, has told the Daily Echo that the New Forest and her local community means more to her than the commercial music world.

The Islamabad-born singer, whose real name is Sarah Joyce, grew up in Barton-on-Sea, and whose stage name was inspired by the author Rumer Godden, will release the second single from her critically-acclaimed new studio album Into Colour on January 12 and will be heading to Lighthouse, Poole, on February 15.

She has picked up a Mojo Award and Brit nominations and her headline tour follows a series of dates with Jools Holland which included the BIC last month.

Into Colour follows the million-selling debut Seasons Of My Soul and continues a personal journey where she spent more than a decade as an unsigned act.

In 2012, at the same time as she struggled with bipolar disorder, Rumer reached number three in the UK charts while meeting many musical legends, and performing at the White House.

But when I called her to talk about her exciting professional journey and the new album and tour she was fairly reticent, only saying that the Jools Holland tour had allowed her to meet “some really lovely, friendly music people”.

What she actually wanted to talk about was a charity in the New Forest which is close to her heart called ‘It’s Your Choice’.

She hopes by being associated with it she can raise its profile and help young people deal with a range of issues – especially drug abuse.

“It’s for young people who are troubled and need help with issues like depression, alcohol and substance abuse. The New Forest has a big youth problem and they do crucial work with young people. By talking about it I hope to raise awareness as not a lot of people know it’s there.

“We have a major drug problem in the Forest and in the south: it’s a major antisocial problem – it’s really, really bad.

“It’s a problem for people who move to the area too and think they will have a nice retirement and the charity does a really good job to help.

“I’m sympathetic and concerned because I’ve grown up in the New Forest and I know a lot of young people drink out of boredom and through isolation because people can’t afford a car or driving lessons and there’s a lot of access to soft as well as hard drugs. It’s a case of ‘the devil makes work for idle hands’.

“They need an alternative to boredom. That’s why even back in 2001/2 I tried to get a music night going for young people in the New Forest at the Rydal Arms in New Milton. I also used to work as an assistant drama teacher at Brockenhurst College and also for the CODA Music Trust in Highcliffe to help engage young people in different activities.

“There’s more to life than one thing – there are plenty of things to do.

“I also set up a record label to try to help people make their music. It’s more important to me to contribute to my community. There’s no point in just going round in a vacuum – you need your community. Even if it’s meeting other musicians – everyone needs to play their songs to each other.”

During our chat I said to Rumer it struck me that she wasn’t interested in the commercial side of her industry.

“Commercial!” she almost spat the word back at me. “It’s like I’m allergic to it: it’s like my kryptonite! I realise why it’s important; without that machine you can’t reach people around the world but someone like me doesn’t get asked to do many things like that. The commercial world is high fashion and beauty; it’s a world of adverts and products and no one’s asked me to do anything like that.”

For tickets for her show at Lighthouse, Poole, contact 0844 406 8666 or visit .

IT'S YOUR CHOICE

CHRIS Carey, chief executive officer for It’s Your Choice said they were delighted Rumer had offered to support the work of the charity.

He added: “We are a youth charity in the New Forest that has been in existence since 1987. Most people think it’s only in the inner cities where young people experience problems such as homelessness but we currently support approximately 4,000 young people aged 12-25 per year, 1,600 on a one to one basis delivering information, advice, guidance, casework support and counselling.

“We currently provide our support via 15 weekly drop-ins in various towns right across and around the periphery of the New Forest supporting young people with a wide range of issues including accommodation issues/homelessness; education, training and employment; relationship issues; and drugs and substance misuse.

“A significant number of the young people we see on a regular basis have multiple needs which includes many suffering from poor mental health. Through our dedicated team of ten full-time equivalent staff and around 20 volunteers we are able to make a real difference to improving the lives of these young people.

“However, we are facing a major crisis in our funding from April 2015 onwards. We need all of the support we can get which is why we were truly grateful to Rumer for finding the time to come and visit us recently, particularly at a busy time for her when she was about to go on tour to promote her new album. Rumer was so impressed with our work that she has committed herself to supporting the work of the charity in the future.”

If anyone else would like to support the charity with a donation they are invited to visit the website at www.iyc.org.uk.

“Anything you can give will be used for the young people we serve and your help will be greatly appreciated,” said Chris.