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On Sunday 22 November, TV star Martin Kemp will present a short film aimed at raising money for The Children’s Trust, a surrey-based charity that helps children with brain injury and neurodisability across the UK.
Martin Kemp who has personal experience of brain injury following an operation to remove a brain tumour in 1997, said:
“I hope lots of people tune into the appeal to see why The Children’s Trust need your help. It’s a subject close to my heart and I hope the money raised continues to help more children and families across the UK access the vital support they so desperately need.”
The film provides a glimpse into the lives of three young people who have accessed the charity’s services: 14-year-old Finn who attends The Children’s Trust School, 7-year-old Amelia who has been supported by the Brain Injury Community Service team and 13-year-old Brittney who received intensive rehabilitation following a car accident.
Brittney’s Mum, Patricia, said:
“When Brittney woke up three days after her car accident, she was unable to stand, walk, talk or feed herself. However, after four months of intensive rehabilitation at The Children’s Trust including, speech and language therapy and physiotherapy, she was able to relearn all the skills she lost. Brittney is now able to walk and talk and has even gone back to school. I could not have done it without The Children’s Trust. They are lifesavers.”
The appeal will be broadcast on Sunday 22 November 1:55 pm on BBC One and will be repeated on BBC Two on Monday 23 November. The programme will also be available on BBC iPlayer after the broadcast.
For information please visit: www.thechildrnstrust.org.uk
charitytoday.co.uk | 19 November 2020
As the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic become increasingly apparent, over 2,000 student volunteers continue to provide life-saving mental health support for their peers at universities across the UK and Ireland.
Nightline is confidential, anonymous, listening services run by students for students. They operate through the night to provide a listening ear for students when the majority of other support services are closed and work to reduce the number of student suicides. Nightline's are there to listen to students no matter what they want to talk about, be it mental health issues, calls of a suicidal nature or providing company for a chat. Over 1.6 million students have access to peer support through the night provided by Nightline’s 37 services across the UK and Ireland.
Since March 2020, Nightline’s statistics across the UK and Ireland show that:
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Calls relating to academic issues have more than doubled;
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Calls discussing depression have increased by more than 50%;
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Students are reaching out more to Nightline volunteers for the company of a general chat;
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As some Nightline's alter their services to operate remotely, the proportion of students contacting Nightline by Instant Messaging has more than doubled.
The beginning of this academic year has brought with it a unique set of challenges to students, including Nightline’s own volunteers. In spite of the additional personal challenges they are facing, Nightline’s volunteers have found a way to be there for students.
Maddy Swanton, Welfare Officer at Exeter Nightline, said:
“Over the past months, we have seen a significant increase in demand for our service, especially for those moving to university for the first time. With people’s usual coping strategies and support networks restricted, we have been more eager than ever to be a listening ear to support those who need our service.”
With particular concerns around isolation and loneliness, Nightline's have been quick to adapt their services so that they can continue providing support to their fellow students safely. This includes a number of Nightline's introducing the use of anonymous Instant Messaging and Email services.
Niamh Gallagher, Deputy Director at Liverpool Hope Nightline, has been doing exactly that. she said:
“Liverpool Hope’s Nightline has moved from being a phone call service based onsite to working remotely online as an IM service.”
Digital services have also increased accessibility, ensuring international students who may be studying remotely this term can continue to reach Nightline.
Nightline’s unique offering of peer support is made possible by the incredible dedication of the volunteers and their genuine desire to help.
Rebecca Mayne, Coordinator at Sheffield Nightline, was keen to thank her fellow volunteers for their work. She said:
“The pandemic has impacted student life in a number of ways: we’ve seen an increase in contacts and the change in working patterns has been difficult. Thankfully, our volunteers have stepped up, shown incredible resilience throughout, and adapted to these changes well.
“We hope to continue to provide support for students in Sheffield, particularly over Christmas where the isolating effects of the pandemic could increase.”
A number of services already offer holiday email services and it is anticipated that these will be particularly important this year.
Since its inception 50 years ago, Nightline has overcome many challenges but the impact of COVID-19 is by far the greatest it has ever faced. With the inspiring commitment of its volunteers, Nightline is rising to the challenge to ensure their fellow students receive the mental health support they sorely need.
charitytoday.co.uk | 18 November 2020
THE National Lottery Community Fund has awarded the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) £1.2million to help ensure every mother in the UK has equal access to gold-standard care and support during pregnancy and the postnatal period.
Founded in 2011, the MMHA is a coalition of 97 national organisations bringing together health care professionals, the third sector, and women with lived experience to improve perinatal mental health care in the UK. The MMHA has successfully campaigned to close many of the gaps in specialist care and support. However, despite celebrating significant progress over the past decade, more work is needed to ensure that ALL women receive the mental health care they need at all stages of pregnancy and the postnatal period.
The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, means the MMHA can maintain its focus on turning the specialist services map green across the whole of the UK. This is an essential foundation for ensuring equal access for all women affected by perinatal mental illness.
In addition, thanks to National Lottery players, the Alliance will set out a new programme of work. This will look beyond specialist services to ensure that other essential parts of maternal mental health care and support are available to all women in every part of the country. The care that meets the highest quality standards is still not available to many women who need it.
The first six months of funding will focus on developing the goals of this exciting new phase of the Everyone’s Business campaign, before a major launch next spring. As always, the MMHA will seek to establish the collective actions – across its membership and beyond – that will make the biggest difference to the mental wellbeing of women and their families.
Emily Slater, CEO of the MMHA, said:
“Over the past decade, MMHA members, supporters and lived experience champions have worked together to raise awareness of the maternal mental illness, demonstrate the importance of specialist services, and share the positive impact they have on mothers’ lives. Now, thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund, we are delighted to be able to take this work to the next level and excited about what lies ahead.”
Cassie Robinson, Senior Head of UK Portfolio at The National Lottery Community Fund, said:
“We’re delighted to award this funding to support the incredible work of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, which is actively putting people in the lead and drawing on lived experience to make perinatal mental health everyone’s business. Thanks to National Lottery players, women in every part of the country will have a better chance of accessing vital mental health support during and after their pregnancy, which will help them and their families to thrive.”
Lindsay Robinson, mum, expert by experience, and campaigner from Northern Ireland said:
“By campaigning alongside other MMHA members and parents with lived experience, we make sure the needs of mums and families affected by perinatal mental illness are heard. Thanks to this collaborative approach, funding for specialist services has finally been promised by the Department of Health, and the outlook is far brighter here in Northern Ireland. Together, we will continue to push for a Mother and Baby Unit and further change across the pathway of care, so every mum can get the help she needs and deserves! My family and I understand first-hand what a difference the right support can make.”
By working together, and speaking with one voice, the MMHA aims to improve the lives of ALL women and families affected by perinatal mental illness and affect lasting change.7
charitytoday.co.uk | 18 November 2020