Berkshire Youth and funding partner Greenham Trust have partnered to launch the West Berkshire Youth Hub, a virtual and telephone-based support platform with resources and opportunities designed to connect, listen to and provide solutions for young people as they grapple with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Whilst the young are least susceptible to COVID-19, concerns are rapidly growing around youth mental health, compounded by the lack of social engagement, the closing down of sports and social activities and the impact on their education and employment opportunities. In a UCL study, the young reported the lowest levels of wellbeing and life satisfaction in lockdown, whilst almost 30 per cent have thought about death recently. UK Youth and the National Youth Agency have also voiced concerns that young people have not been identified as a specific group in need of support at this time.
The West Berkshire Youth Hub online and telephone-based support service will be staffed from 9am to 5pm with access to out of hours support. Young people will be encouraged to get in touch, and will be informed about local activities, such as local youth groups sports clubs, drama, art groups and activity sessions that have gone online but may not be known to all.
Visit the West Berkshire Youth Hub here.
Berkshire Youth needs to raise £32,000 to run the service. Greenham Trust has donated £10,000 with Englefield Charitable Trust and The Miss Lawrence Trust giving £5,000 and £2,500 respectively, but there is still £15,000 to go to ensure the continued running of this valuable service.
