We are a Chester based charity established in 2017, that offers free, accessible, community based mental health and wellbeing services such as counselling, play and art therapy to adults, young people and children living in relative poverty in three communities in Chester that fall within the bottom 10% of the Index of Multiple Deprivation.
There is a strong link between poverty and poor mental health and our focus is on supporting those in this situation who are struggling with their mental health. Our client group have experienced many life challenges that encompass traumas, abuse and other adversities and for many these are inter-generational. These include difficult family relationships, domestic violence, substance and other forms of abuse, poverty, debt, bereavement, special educational needs and for some, family members in prison.
Schools we work in report an increased number of children and young people struggling to attend school and lessons. For some coming into school itself can be difficult and for others whilst they will be there at the start of the day, they find it difficult to engage with some/all lessons when they are there. The reasons for this are often complex and varied but the life challenges they have experienced, special education needs they may have (diagnosed and undiagnosed) and poor mental health are all key factors. Post Covid, schools report significantly increased levels of anxiety amongst pupils. There is also sometimes an inter-generational dimension, with similar patterns of school non-attendance in both parent and child.
Whatever the reasons, regular non-attendance at school and/or lessons can have a profound effect on a child or young person’s life chances and contribute to poorer outcomes in later life. They are more likely to become trapped in poverty, have worse prospects for future employment, experience poor mental health and have increased vulnerability to safeguarding issues and criminal exploitation.
Support from The Pixel Fund means we can help 15 children and young people who are struggling to attend school and/or lessons. We will work closely with one or two local schools to identify children and young people who would benefit from our type of therapeutic support. As well as improvements in their emotional wellbeing, our aim with this project is to help pupils achieve better school and lesson lesson attendance. Ultimately, being able to access and finish their education will help improve their life chances.