Support children suffering because of Covid-19

Thank You

Hadleigh Castle Rotary, working with Kids Inspire, has raised over £8,700, an incredible amount of money, to help children in Essex suffering with mental health as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

You have helped pay for over 100 online and video-link therapy sessions with a qualified therapist. An initial programme of 3 sessions is often all it takes to help a young person, but some of the most complex cases will take up to 30 sessions. 

Some children and young people just need a friend to talk to, and these mentors also act a step-down service for those who have completed their therapy. The money raised includes $5,000 donated by GlobalGiving’s Coronavirus Relief Fund. This was used to train 9 mentors to support children and young people in this difficult era of Covid.

"Our vital services continue thanks to the generosity of our supporters. We provide therapeutic and community support for the young people of Essex and beyond who are struggling to cope with the impact of the pandemic on top of their existing everyday concerns.” (Paula Ashfield, Head of Fundraising & Communications)

Joseph’s Journey

Thanks to your support, we have been able to support young people like Joseph, who received therapy after being referred to us by his school. Speaking on the radio recently he said:  

“On my housing estate I’m a victim of bullying and I started having suicidal thoughts and was feeling very down in the dumps. I just was not feeling great and felt stressed and anxious, I was just feeling really down.” 

Joseph was helped by one of Kids Inspire’s creative therapists and then, as part of his step down from therapy, Joseph was given a mentor whom he met ‘virtually’ on a weekly basis throughout lockdown. Joseph has now become an ambassador for youth mental health, looking to help others struggling as he did.  

Royal Recognition

The work undertaken by Kids Inspire has been recognised by the Queen. Sue Bell, the director and founder of Kids Inspire, has been awarded an OBE for services to charity, mental health and education in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2021. “Even through challenging times, Kids Inspire has not strayed from the path of empowering children, young people and families, and as long as we are needed there we shall remain. Thank you for being there too.” (Sue Bell)