Christmas is the most magical time of year - but for some, it's a challenging time completely overshadowed by worry.
Children North East, a charity that has been proudly helping children and young people living in poverty since 1891, is calling on you to play a part in ensuring every baby, child and young person in the North East has the healthy, happy start in life they deserve - and a Christmas filled with as much joy as possible.
The charity's heartfelt plea for support comes as they report a 10% increase in those supported by their services this year - which equates to 4,544 people. As cost-of-living, cuts to vital services and a mental health crisis amongst young people impacts families and communities across the region, there has truly never been a more important time to open your heart and help a young person in need.
Life-changing impact
Children North East offers mental health support for children and young people, which included more than 500 referrals for their counselling service last year alone.
It provides well-being support and learning to parents of a child or young person experiencing a mental health crisis, and runs many youth groups which give young people a hot meal and a warm, safe space in which to laugh, learn and make friends, including an allotment group, drop-in sessions in Byker, West End of Newcastle, Berwick, Ashington and an allotment group in Benwell.
During the school holidays, 264 children joined the charity to eat, play and embark on exciting day trips they may not have had chance to otherwise, such as a trip to the beach.
The charity's family centre runs a whole range of activities for families, including weekly sessions in which children can play, eat, learn, get advice and build a support network - including a domestic abuse support group, and healthcare drop-ins.
This year, Children North East supported 884 families through these activities, which can be a lifeline for isolated or vulnerable people.
A story of hope: How BU helped Abbie get the right support
Children North East's BU Programme is a group intervention which aims to build young people’s resilience to cope with the emotional challenges of everyday life, learning and school, and develops their foundations for positive mental health.
Abbie* was chosen to take part in the BU course because her teacher said she was quiet in class and often anxious.
Schools Practitioner, Donna Botham, reflects on what happened next. We have used a different name to protect the child’s identity.
"Right from the start, Abbie was a very quiet child," says Donna.
"At the beginning and end of each BU session the children take part in a ‘checking in’ and ‘checking out’ process where they select a coloured leaf to place on the tree to represent how they are feeling at that moment.
"During the first session Abbie chose the blue leaf to show that she was feeling sad. She continued to choose the leaf to represent sadness at the start and end of each session over the following few weeks.
"During conversations about feelings and emotions she became tearful. The teacher said this was not usual for Abbie and although she appeared anxious she didn’t usually express her feelings preferring to bottle it all up.
Over the first few sessions we talked about how it’s normal for everyone to feel a range of different emotions including negative ones such as anger or sadness. The course teaches the children ‘it’s ok not to be ok’."
No pressure
"The BU course is a safe space where children can talk about how they feel. We also made it clear that if the children don’t want to talk about what it is that’s making them feel that way they don’t have to and they only need to share whatever they are comfortable with," says Donna.
"Children are encouraged to share their feelings if they want to but there is no pressure.
Breakthrough moment
"Towards the end of the course the class teacher explained that Abbie had plucked up the courage to ask to see the school counsellor.
"She clearly now felt more comfortable to admit that she was feeling sad and became open to the idea of talking to someone about her feelings and was aware that talking about her emotions may help her to feel better.
"The teacher and TA said they didn’t think Abbie would have asked to speak to the school counsellor or spoken to anyone about how she was feeling if she hadn’t taken part in the BU course.
"Abbie is now meeting with the school counsellor and receiving the help and support she needs."
How Children North East can help
For families:
- Parent-infant therapy
- Baby and toddler groups
- Domestic abuse support
- Ways to Wellbeing training
- Families in Crisis
- Multiply Maths Support
For young people:
- Sexual health services
- Counselling
- Peer mentoring
- Support for victims of crime
- CAN Mentoring Project
- Young people with SEND
- Neurodiverse young people
- SAFE: For victims of sexual abuse
For schools:
- BU well-being course
- School Counselling Service
To find out more about how Children North East can help, and the services they offer, visit their website here.
To discover the ways you can help to enrich a young person's life this Christmas and beyond, visit the Children North East website here, or donate through the charity's JustGiving page. There has never been a better time to open your heart through a donation or fundraising, and support a baby, child or young person in need.
