‘Fantastic news’: Funding boost for young people’s mental health service

SUPPORT: HeadStart Hull programme manager Gail Teasdale, far left, with the ‘Headstarters’ volunteers and Hull North MP Diana Johnson

A programme that provides vital emotional support for young people in Hull and their families has had its immediate future secured.

HeadStart Hull, which is led by Hull City Council but relies on lottery funding, was launched in 2017 following a successful two-year pilot to improve mental health and wellbeing.

It has now received extended funding to ensure it can continue to deliver support, in partnership with schools, community groups, young people and their parents, until July 2022.

Councillor Peter Clark, Portfolio Holder for Learning and Skills at the council, said: “We know the Covid crisis has had a huge impact on the people of Hull, and it is programmes such as HeadStart that have proven to help those who have struggled as a result.

“The news that these services will now carry on is great for the children, young people and families of the city and we would like to thank the National Lottery Community Fund for their support.”

HeadStart Hull offers universal and targeted support for children aged 10-16, with a programme of free services, including drop-in sessions, peer mentoring and school and community-based group work.

It also offers support to parents and carers who need help to improve the emotional health of their families though services provided by Child Dynamix, Kids, and the council’s parenting team.

Since the launch of the programme, more than 1,540 young people and 690 parents and carers have been supported through the targeted early help on offer. Universally, 41,580 children and young people per year have benefitted.

Niki Clemo, the council’s director of children, young people and family services, said: “This is fantastic news, not just for the schools and services which have helped the programme become such a success, but for the children, young people and families in Hull.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer this vital support for a further, sixth year.”

The HeadStart Hull programme is an integral part of the Early Help offer, working with all schools across the city, as well as school nurses, family support officers, social workers, youth workers, and a wide range of community providers, to deliver a city-wide approach to improving emotional well-being.

Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the programme has been crucial in supporting children, young people and their families by adapting the delivery of its services.

The creation of a Covid-19 information hub on its website became a trusted source of advice and guidance for young people and parents, and continues to remain so.

HeadStart Hull works in close collaboration with young people in the city, including its ‘Headstarters’ volunteers. A recent example was the ‘You Are Not Alone’ suicide awareness campaign, which has been recognised nationally by the Local Government Association for its success and impact.

Emma Ackerman, deputy director at the National Lottery Community Fund, said: “We’re delighted to be able to give further funding to HeadStart partnerships in England, thanks to support from National Lottery players. 

“We’re aware that there will be people growing up with the after effects of the Covid crisis. Programmes like HeadStart, which supports young people’s mental health, and our Young People in the Lead Strategy, which is about making sure young people’s voices are heard and they are involved in the decisions affecting them, will play a role in helping to mitigate the impact.”

For more information about HeadStart Hull, visit www.howareyoufeeling.org.uk.