Over a dozen Sandwell charities and not-for-profit
organisations came together last week with strategic partners and invited
guests to celebrate the close of a £2 million programme that has supported
thousands of young people in Sandwell over the last four years.
The Sandwell Emotional Wellbeing Programme was
initiated in 2021, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, and resourced through
government Covid Relief funds via Sandwell Council to provide help to
school-aged children who had been negatively impacted. This
reflected high levels of concerns at the time for young people experiencing
bereavement, anxiety, loss of confidence and a sense of isolation from others.
Working closely with strategic partners and experts in
young people’s emotional wellbeing and mental health, SCVO grant funded 16
local charities and voluntary organisations to deliver a wide range of
support. This included mentoring, counselling, group peer support,
sports-based activities, music and art therapy, as well as support for young
people who were experiencing domestic abuse in the home. Help was offered
through close working partnerships with over 80 Sandwell schools as well as in
a range of community venues to ensure that the programme was accessible to as
many young people as possible and delivered in ways which were culturally
sensitive.
Owing to the success of the first instalment of
funding in 2021, the programme was extended twice and continued until May
2025. By the end of support, over 4,500 young people in Sandwell had been
helped by the programme.
Speaking at the event Cllr Jalal Uddin, Sandwell
Council Cabinet member for Children and Families, highlighted the strength of
local partnerships that had made the programme so effective and celebrated the
willingness of all involved to step up and mobilise their support during such a
challenge time for Sandwell and the country.
Mark Davis, SCVO’s Chief Executive Officer, said “This
programme has really demonstrated the energy, expertise and commitment we have
available within our local voluntary and community sector. To reach and support
over 4,500 young people at what was such a desperate time for many is something
everyone involved should be hugely proud of. It also reminds us what a
difference we can make through working together – something Sandwell does so
well.”
More information about what was delivered and achieved
can be read in the programme’s Impact Report.