The Need

Did you know

1in 6 children aged five to 16 were identified as having a probable mental health problem in July 2021, a huge increase from one in nine in 2017 (MIND).
1 in 3 mental health problems in adulthood are directly connected to an adverse childhood experience (MIND)
Around 3 in 1 children (4.3 million across the UK) live in poverty, which not only inflicts hardship on children in their formative years, but also has a long-term impact on their future heealth, wellbeing and economic prospects. (JFR)
In 2021/22, there were approximately 105,400 looked after children in the UK. In the last five years the population of looked after children in the UK has increased by 9% (NSPCC)
A staggering 2.87 million people or 1.4 million families across the UK are living in relationships that could be described within clinical practice as ‘distressed’ (RELATE).
Published DfE statistics for the Autumn term 2022/23 showed an increase in exclusions and suspensions from school compared to the previous year of children (including under the age of 6) and young people.
Although children were minimally susceptible to COVID-19, they were hit hardest by its psychosocial impact, and still effected by its repercussions, at home and at school.
In 2022-2023 there was a 7% increase in younger children (aged between 10 and 14) entering the youth justice system for the first time.
33% of care-experienced children received youth caution or conviction

Many of these young people also experience living in challenging family or foster situations where their parents/carers are suffering broader problems, such as family breakdown, single parenting, poor mental and physical health, bereavement, trauma, substance abuse, lack of employment, financial difficulties, or coping with a child with special needs or challenging behavior and poverty.

In response, they may exhibit poor mental health, be disengaged from education, display disruptive behaviour and be vulnerable to exclusion or be a ‘lost’ learner. Consequences of exclusion or low attendance are characterised by underachievement and low attainment, potentially entrenching disadvantage into later life. Prospects for young people who leave school without good grades are bleak; they may experience poverty, loneliness, social isolation, alcohol and substance misuse, poor mental health, homelessness, the criminal justice system, and even suicide.

We help them to Thrive

Many of these young people may not meet the criteria for receiving help from Children’s Services but would like to be able to access extra and long-term support, which local agencies and schools often do not have the capacity to provide, whereas we do.

We believe that interventions for children and young people are vital, for their personal development, for connecting to purpose and achieving their aspirations and dreams.

To achieve sustainability for our interventions, to secure better futures, our retreats focus on personal development for young people experiencing difficulties, along with their parents; we work holistically with the whole family, within their community and alongside other networks of support.

Our aim is to implement systemic change by empowering those who influence their lives the most, principally their parents and teachers, as well as members of the wider community who become involved in their lives.

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