Brighten your day and #BanishtheBlues to support the Isle of Wight Trust Thursday 9^th February

The Isle of Wight Youth Trust is asking Islanders to help #BanishtheBlues on the 9^th of February by not wearing blue and donating a pound. The Youth Trust is the Islands largest independent charity dedicated to providing counselling and wellbeing support to children and young people aged 4-25.

NHS research now shows 1 in 6 children under 16, and 1 in 4 young people aged 17-25 need support with their mental health. That’s between 5 and 8 children and young people in an average class of 30 and represents 5,965 (almost 20%) of those aged 4-25 on the Isle of Wight.

Each year the Youth Trust receives hundreds of referrals for children and young people needing their support. To date in January, they have received more than 100 referrals, averaging at 7 a day – a significant increase on 2022 - where average referrals were just 3 a day.

Youth Trust CEO Jo Dare comments:

“Now, more than ever before, young Islander’s need the support of the Youth Trust. We know that half of mental health problems are established by the age of 14, and that with the right support, it is possible to prevent these problems enduring for a lifetime. It is essential that we can meet this growing demand and provide them with the support they need when it is needed.”

The events of the past three years have had a significant impact on children and young people and shouldn’t be underestimated. The impact on their education, employment, relationships and wellbeing threatens to affect them for the rest of their lives. Aside from a global pandemic they have seen the outbreak of war in Europe and political instability in the UK. In more recent months, as the cost-of-living crisis has deepened, increasing numbers of children and young people are living in poverty. These young people are 4.5 times more likely to experience severe mental health problems than their more ‘well-off’ peers.

Jo continues:

“We are asking the whole Island community to come together to help raise vital funds for the Youth Trust. We know that many people are struggling financially right now which is why we’re asking people to donate £1 - or what they can.

We need to try and change the odds so that fewer younger Islanders need our support. If 1 in 6 Islanders donate just £1, we can fund 1000 support calls or 325 counselling sessions, making a real difference”.

To take part, simply avoid wearing blue (and preferably wear something bright) on the 9^th February and donate a £1 to The Isle of Wight Youth Trust. Post a photo on social media don’t forget to tag @iowyouthtrust and use the hashtags #BanishtheBlues #Iamthe1. Full details of how to get involved can be found on the Youth Trust website: iowyouthtrust.co.uk

Will you be the ONE who donates £1 to the Youth Trust to enable them to provide support to the thousands of children and young people on the Island that need them?