IRONSAM - Supporting young people

10% of children and young people (aged 5 to 16 years) have a clinically diagnosable mental problem, yet 70% of children and adolescents who experience mental health problems have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age.

In 2018-19, 24% of 17-year-olds reported having self-harmed in the previous year, and seven per cent reported having self-harmed with suicidal intent at some point in their lives.

Suicide was the leading cause of death for males and females aged between five to 34 in 2019.

Tadley's Children and Youth community Pastor, Sam, supports the 5 schools in and around Tadley on a weekly basis by coaching children on a 1-2-1 or in a group setting enabling children and young people to understand and develop their skills to help with their mental and emotional wellbeing. Sam is now known to hundreds of children in the community, supporting many of them each week across the primary and secondary schools. As well as being a support for children, Sam is also a support for the many teacher & school workers. Sam is also working to empower local community volunteers to become reading or emotional support mentors who go in on a weekly basis to either read with multiple children or run early years interventions with a child.

Bishopswood Junior and Infants School, Assistant Head Teacher, Adele Tashdjian - says: “we actually see a difference in our children… we actually see a difference in their mental health, their wellbeing, their want and desire to come to school… we’ve seen progress in some of their reading because they’re able to read more regularly with an adult and that’s something we’ve struggled to have the time to do… so without your help, that would be even more difficult.”

Tadley Primary School, Deputy Head Teacher, Amelia Mohain says: “Sam has been a fantastic asset to our school. He has been an excellent role model to our children, engaging in games and play with them as well as providing a mentor role to some of our pupils who have needed the extra support and guidance. I have had parents tell me how much their child looks forward to his visits and the children themselves always ask if it is a 'Sam Day!'"

There is a huge need in Tadley for this work to continue for as long as possible. Schools lack, both time and resources to be able to reach the full need for children to be continually championed, supported and noticed.

Please give what you can to the great work that is being accomplished so that it may continue for many years to come.

Thank you.

All funds raised go to support the ongoing, full time work of Tadley’s Children and Youth Community Pastor & community volunterers who support primary and secondary schools in and around Tadley . Tadley’s children and youth community pastor is supported by Basingstoke Community Churches, a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales.

Company No. 3476768 Registered Charity No. 1067316