Adolescence is a critical developmental period for young people. It is well recognised that life trajectories are established by the late teenage years. It is also a time when young people start to feel the impact of adverse childhood experiences and for some substance abuse, self-harm and suicidal ideation, and involvement in violence and criminality start to become their reality. These things often bring them into contact with health services and that gives us a real opportunity to make sure that every contact really counts because adolescence is also a key time to improve young peoples' life chances and prevent the harm caused to them, their peers and society in general by escalating risk taking behaviour.

There is evidence that the support of one trusted adult can help to provide the resilience needed to help young people overcome the impact of what are often chaotic and unpredictable lives. Increasingly young people, particularly those from areas of social disadvantage or who are care experienced do not get this support from their family and so the inequality gap widens. That's where Youth Navigator can come in. Youth Navigator is a service developed and run by Medics against Violence and our NHS partners. We work in hospitals in Edinburgh, Livingston and Glasgow, our core service is funded by NHS Lothian, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation. Our youth workers can be that one trusted adult and can walk beside young people and provide the consistent support they need to make different life choices. They proactively offer support and go the extra mile because they understand that change is possible and that poor outcomes are not inevitable.

Our 'It takes a village' fund will run alongside our Youth Navigator service and allow us to help some of the young people we support whose circumstances are particularly challenging. Some need more support from us than others. 'It takes a village' will allow the Youth Navigators to do that little bit extra for young people if they need it when other funds are not immediately available. That might be the things we all take for granted like warm clean clothes, underwear and socks, shoes that fit, essentials for school, toiletries, sanitary products, a hot meal or just a long chat over a cup of coffee.

If you feel you can help by donating even a small amount we would be very grateful. Every penny including Gift Aid will go to the people we support, we will also periodically raise money by taking part in sporting events and challenges and will let you know about those too.

Please give what you can. Thank you.