'Life-changing' grant for mental health services

A charity has been awarded a lottery grant to provide "life-changing" mental health services in schools across Northamptonshire and Peterborough.

KidsAid has received £247,727 from the National Lottery, spanning over three years, to fund the Stronger Together project starting in September.

Nicola Thurbon, senior head of regional funding at the National Lottery Community Fund, said: "We are pleased to fund KidsAid, who are providing the right support at the right time to give vulnerable children the best start in life."

Geoff Russell-Jones, from the Northampton-based children's charity, said: "We know how much young people need this support."

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) said two children in every classroom had experienced some form of abuse.

Russell-Jones, from KidsAid, said the support offered by Stronger Together would be "coordinated" and "impactful".

The charity is encouraging schools to sign up to be selected for the support.

The project will look to bring therapy to 66 children and nine parents in each school over the three-year period, as well as trauma informed training for up to 18 staff.

It hopes to have two on-site therapists in the selected schools for one day a week, delivering 25 one-to-one sessions for six children, 10 group therapy sessions for eight children and six therapy sessions for three parents.

Additionally, there will be trauma informed professional development training for six staff.

After the three years of funding, KidsAid hopes to continue its work through help from local businesses and school partnerships.

If you, or someone you know, has been affected by mental health issues, the following organisations on BBC Action Line may be able to help.

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.