Off The Record successfully applied to our Small Fund to provide a mental health support service to young people in our community. They’re been running the sessions out of Hope House Centre during 2022/23. Here’s what they have reported:
| The introduction of OTR’s listening services in Radstock has evidently met a need amongst local young people aged 10 – 25. Young people are continuing to feel the fallout from the pandemic; isolation, financial pressures, increased social media use, reduced face to face support networks, family difficulties and fewer educational, work and travel opportunities. In addition, domestic violence, eating disorders and unhealthy behaviours, like drinking and taking drugs, have increased, negatively affecting mental wellbeing.
Engaging with more young people from areas of socio-economic deprivation, given the multiple challenges facing them and their families, is one of our key strategic aims This partnership with Radstock Westfield Big Local & Hope House Centre has enabled us to reach 39 young people who might otherwise not have accessed our services. Their attendance and feedback suggest that this service is meeting a vital need and we hugely appreciate your support to enable this to continue. Here was some of the feedback we received: “Helped me feel more myself and helped with anxiety. Made me feel like I had someone to talk to.” “Being able to talk about anything and not feeling judged.” |