Extra funding for early support hubs

Extra funding for early support hubs will help children and young people receive better mental health support across the country.

Our Children & Young People’s Services Just Keep Growing! BWW Mind is thrilled to be one of the few selected to receive funding through a government programme aimed at providing early mental health support for children and young people (CYP) across the country. The introduction of CYP hubs highlights the growing commitment to ensuring timely and accessible mental health interventions for young people in the UK.

In October 2023, the government pledged nearly £8 million to be distributed among 24 early support hubs nationwide. This brand-new youth hub will be an expansion of our current Children & Young People services, consisting of mental health support teams that will provide 1:1 support and group workshops to young people, working with colleagues from youth clubs, further education colleges, after school clubs, and more.

The service will be available to 11 to 25 year olds in Westminster, without the need for a referral from a doctor or school. The hubs will offer a wide range of support from art, music and psychological therapies to specialist advice on various issues that may impact a young person’s mental wellbeing. This is an all-encompassing approach that addresses day-to-day worries around exams, employment, sexual health, substance use, financial stress, and more.

The additional funding provides much-needed resources to expand our reach and capacity and allows for increased flexibility such as offering evening and weekend workshops and services. By establishing spaces where young people can access guidance and assistance before their worries worsen, our teams will be able to provide early support to young people when mental health issues are in their early stages, which will lead to better long-term outcomes.

Mental Health Minister Maria Caulfield emphasised the government’s commitment to enhancing mental health support for young people, stating, “No child or young person should suffer alone, and this additional funding for 24 mental health hubs will improve access and bring in more staff and experts who can help those who need it the most.”

We are a trusted provider of children and young people’s services, supporting over 10,000 young people annually. Securing these extra funds is a testament to our dedication to providing vital mental health services to the community, sitting proudly next to other leading mental health organisations selected for the campaign such as YoungMinds, and The Children’s Society.

At BWW Mind, we’re committed to expanding our reach and promoting mental wellbeing and resilience among the youth, empowering them to be healthier and happier, living the life they choose.