Great Western Railway and CCF invite grant applications to support children with mental health challenges.

The Mental Health Fund is open to Cornwall based community groups, charities and social enterprises. The purpose of the fund is to support children and young people, aged between 5-25 years, in order to supress the onset of loneliness, isolation, anxiety and ultimately depression. This fund wishes to make a life changing impact on the lives of young people at a critical stage in their development to prevent further poor mental health.

The challenges of coping with mental ill health, as a sufferer or carer, places a huge strain on individuals and families. Department of Health and NHS England statistics show that 11.5% of young people aged 11-16 years have a mental health disorder. Also that over half of all mental ill health starts before the age of 14 years old, and 75% has developed by the age of 18 years. Self-harming figures for young people have doubled in the past 10 years, which NHS England believes is linked to social pressures and body-image fears, as well as children being subjected to sexual, physical and emotional abuse.

GWR Business Assurance Director Joe Graham said, “GWR is delighted to be able to help provide vital support to children and young people who are coping with mental health challenges. We want to make a difference in the communities that we serve  and we do this by supporting a range of  good causes in Cornwall.”

The Cornwall Community Foundation’s Mental Health Fund invested more than £7,700 in six community projects in December 2017. The supported projects included BF Adventure, Godolphin Cross Community Association, Quiet Connections CIC, Safe Haven – Cornwall, Shifting Horizons CIC and Wheal Martyn Trust.

Click for more details and how to apply.