In Cheshire and Warrington, as across the country, we are facing an unprecedented mental health crisis among our children and young people.

Following the COVID pandemic, the need for mental health support among young people has reached an all-time high. Those who are already experiencing disadvantage are being disproportionately impacted by mental health challenges.

Poor mental health is not only impacting our young people’s wellbeing today but is also reducing their life chances for the future. School attendance is adversely affected and mental health issues threaten to cause long-term problems and increase the chance of future unemployment.

With the capacity of statutory services (CAMHS) taken up by those who are already in crisis with the very highest level of need, there remains an overwhelming and continuing need for prevention and early intervention support. This aims to stop young people from ever reaching crisis point, and prevent development of longer-term issues that could affect them for the rest of their lives.

Many people know the challenges that children and young people are facing but don’t know how to help. Cheshire Community Foundation’s Class of 2030: Young Minds Matter programme provides an easy way for local people and businesses like you to make a difference. This funding will support the most innovative grassroots charities with a proven track-record of changing young people’s lives, to deliver the early support that is desperately needed.

This multi-year initiative will invest in the best early help and prevention projects to support children and young people (aged 5–18 years) to navigate challenges, build resilience and care for their own mental wellbeing.

Our ambition is to ensure that every young person in Cheshire and Warrington has access to early intervention mental health support – while targeting those most in need.

By offering continued funding over multiple years, we will ensure that every generous donation delivers more, by empowering charities to think innovatively and work collaboratively. We saw this approach help hundreds of young people during the first Young Minds Matter programme (2017-2020).

Through this approach, you will not only help children and young people who are struggling today but will also help us to drive the development of best practice in supporting mental health in young people for the future.