Emotional and mental health needs are becoming more widely accepted as we see the huge effect these have on not only individuals, but on friends and family too. With all the pressures our young generation are facing today, it's no longer unusual to hear of a young child having to cope with severe anxiety, depression, low self-esteem etc.

At Marston Moretaine VC Lower School, a therapy space has been provided at their Church End site. Any child at that school, who has either emotional or mental health needs, can receive bespoke therapy, over a 6 week course, to help them deal with these needs. 'The Heart of Marston' was set up to encourage fundraising so that not only could such a space be provided at their Forest End site too, but also to pay for specialist staff training. By having members of their own staff trained, this therapy is something that can be offered for many years to come, without having to worry about funding someone from outside to come in.

Through the provision of 2 grants (one from the Central Bedfordshire Councillor Grant Scheme and the other from The Forest of Marston Vale Community Fund), we were awarded enough money to pay for the therapy space and equipment needed. However, we still need to raise sufficient funds for the training. It costs just over £2,000 to train one member of staff, and with the growing number of children at the school, the ideal is to have 2 trained staff at both sites to meet the ever increasing demand.

We've already held several fundraising events in the community, but with the Coronavirus, have had to put much fundraising on hold. It's widely accepted that the effects of the coronavirus will have a huge impact on emotional and mental health issues and so the need is even greater and more urgent now than just a few months ago. We need staff trained as soon as possible so that the needs of our children can be dealt with before they spiral and have an even more devastating effect.

Please donate whatever you can, no amount is too small!! Could I also ask that you share this fundraising with your friends, family and colleagues. This really could make a huge, long-lasting difference to a child and their family and early intervention is far better than dealing with many years worth of anxiety for example.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Can I please encourage each of us to look out for one another and to take time to really listen to how someone is feeling.