Almost a year after the first lockdown, the future is looking more positive as vaccinations take effect and restrictions end. But although the lockdowns will hopefully soon become a thing of the past, they have left an indelible mark on Surrey's most vulnerable people.

97% of the people we support, who took part in our research, felt they had been negatively affected by the pandemic - because of the damage to their mental health or relationships, the disruption of their education or the impact on their employment and finances. These are people who, pre-pandemic, were already marginalised, isolated, disadvantaged, troubled, vulnerable. People for whom any additional set-back would be significant.

We found that the pandemic had also greatly reduced opportunities for the most vulnerable members of our community. Almost 90% felt that there are fewer education or employment opportunities available to them.

But with our help, young people have stayed in education, troubled families have mended relationships, struggling parents have provided a stable home for their children and vulnerable people have found a renewed ability to cope with their mental health. We have supported people back into work and young people back into school. We have boosted people's confidence and self-esteem and equipped them with the skills they need to improve their life chances.

People like Liam* who is a student on our STEPS to 16 alternative education programme. Although Liam struggled to cope in his mainstream school and often played truant, he feels supported by the tutors at our Woking Learning Centre so, despite the turmoil of the pandemic, he has continued to attend throughout the last 12 months. Although the lockdown restrictions have been frustrating, he has turned his back on the lifestyle he was leading before which often led him into trouble with the police. Soon he hopes to have the qualifications he needs to go on to a tree surgery course at Merrist Wood College and a promising career.

Any financial support that you can give at this time will make the difference to peoples lives. This is the difference your donation could make:

£10 could fund a mentors monthly phone costs

£25 could provide one hour of support by a qualified trainer for a struggling student with social, emotional and mental health needs

£50 could provide one hour of support by a trained counsellor for a young person with mental health needs

£100 could provide one day of support for vulnerable parents from a trained outreach worker

£300 could provide a vulnerable 16-25 year old with 12 weeks of free counselling

Unless specified, your gift will be used in the best way to help us fulfil our mission of supporting vulnerable young people and families in Surrey.

*name has been changed