One in six 5–16-year-olds experienced a mental health problem in 2021, equating to five children in every classroom. In rural areas, access to clinical services and community support is limited, leading to families and young people feeling isolated. Covid-19 has only exacerbated the problem of accessing support.

Funding from the Westminster Foundation has enabled Healthbox in Cheshire to create an easy-access, mental health service for young people. The Thinking Well, Feeling Well project provides a joined-up provision to local schools in rural villages in Cheshire West.

Working alongside GPs, the programme is bespoke to each school’s needs and includes counselling, talking therapies, play therapy and a range of physical and emotional wellbeing activities for children and parents, delivered by qualified health professionals.

Thanks to our support, Healthbox will also implement Youth Mental Health First Aid training to sixth formers to enable a peer support-led positive mental wellbeing culture and upskill young mentors with transferable skills to support their employment prospects.