Share some kindness this Christmas with the Youth Trust
The Isle of Wight Youth Trust’s message is all about being kind to yourself and to others this Christmas but the charity is also asking those who can afford it to dig deep and make a donation to help them continue their work with the Island’s young people.
The Youth Trust is appealing for people to go digital this Christmas and donate the money they would have spent on cards and postage to help support the Island’s children and young people instead. Funds raised from the e-cards will help it to deliver free professional mental health and wellbeing support to young people on the Isle of Wight.
The cards were designed in consultation with the charity’s Youth Mental Health Taskforce – which inspired the slogan ‘Be kind to yourself and others this Christmas’. The taskforce is dedicated to championing causes that matter to young people and were keen to emphasise the importance of being kind to one another.
The charity relies on donations and grants to provide its services. Last year, it delivered more than 4,000 sessions to children and young people struggling with their mental health – helping them to see a brighter future. The impact that the Youth Trust has is evident from the feedback received from some of their service users.
“I was allowed to talk, in a safe space, to begin to process things that have happened to me in the past and begin to focus on the present and future me.”
“I can believe in myself more than a couple of months ago.”
“Youth Trust has helped me come to terms with difficult problems and know what to focus on moving forward.”
“I instantly felt safe and listened to. I no longer have suicidal thoughts; my anger has dissipated massively, and I want to be alive.”
Jo Dare, CEO of the Youth Trust, said: “We know that while Christmas can be a very happy time for many, some may find it tough. We are urging people to be kind this Christmas – both to themselves and others – and we want people to be aware that support is available at the Youth Trust for those who may be struggling. Information and advice can be found on our website 24/7 – for young people as well as parents and carers.
“To help us support even more young Islanders, this Christmas we are asking people to consider sending friends, colleagues and family one of our Youth Trust e-cards instead of traditional cards and donating any money that would have been spent on cards and postage to our charity.
“Donations will go towards providing support through group therapy sessions, one to one counselling, self-guided help, support in schools or via our travelling safe space initiative which delivers empowering workshops and activities in rural communities so that mental health support can be accessed by young people in all corners of the Island.”
A donation of just £5 could help pay for art supplies for a creative therapy session, £15 could fund a support call for a young person experiencing mental health difficulties and £70 could pay for a one-to-one counselling session for a young person.
Young people struggling with their mental health can find information and advice on the Youth Trust website https://www.iowyouthtrust.co.uk/get-support/
To download the Youth Trust 2023 Christmas e-card and make a donation – please go to: https://www.dontsendmeacard.com/ecards/charities/isle-of-wight-youth-trust
