Firms urged to back children’s mental health project

Bridge the Gap is urging businesses to back a project, which aims to reduce incidents of suicide, self-harm and low social mobility in children.

The organisation, which provides a range of emotional support services to children and young people in Derby, is urging businesses to sign up to its Hope Project.

According to national statistics, Derby is seeing above average incidents of child suicide and self-harm, as well as low social mobility.

It is working to change that by making sure all children get the right support when and where they need it.

As well as running a private and subsidised one-to-one emotional support service, the CIC (Community Interest Company) also delivers funded one-to-one support for vulnerable children and delivers community support by recruiting and training volunteers who can offer a safe space for children to learn about and process emotions.

Bridge the Gap currently see over 180 children each week in a one-to-one capacity and have a waiting list of children wanting support, but, through no fault of their own, are unable to access the long-term, relationship-focused interventions.

In a statement, Bridge the Gap said: “As a business owner, being able to tell customers and clients that you support child mental health in Derby gives you a unique selling point – but most importantly it shows them that you are a business who cares.

“We are determined to change the statistics that exist around child’s outcomes in our city.

“Please get in touch to find out the numerous ways that you can get involved.”

Businesses can download the Hope Project brochure and arrange to speak to Bridge the Gap by visiting https://www.jwbridgethegap.com/thehopeproject-derbycity-childmentalhealth-businesssponsorship or e-mail jenniferwyman@jwbridgethegap.com.