The Guinness Partnership is funding a pilot project to mentor young women and stop them falling into exploitation and addiction.
The year-long scheme is being led by charity Motherwell Cheshire, which aims to empower young women to improve their mental health, skills and confidence; and supported by Evolve, which aims to help people break their addiction to substances such as gasses, glue and pills (which were once considered legal highs).
Kate Blakemore, Motherwell’s founder and CEO, said: “COVID-19 has caused a crisis in referrals and so this funding is vital.
“The isolation caused by the pandemic has led to social anxiety and a lack of confidence.
“Social media with its unrealistic expectations of how young people should act and look plays a big part in that.
“The majority of the women we work with live in poverty with parents who are absent and who are addicts. Our mentors are positive role models who can build their confidence and self-belief.”
As well as funding the project, The Guinness Partnership has provided an office for them to operate from in Wistaston, Crewe.
The charities will work with 25 young women aged 13 to 18 who have previously received counselling and support but have struggled with their mental health and other problems since – largely because of the pandemic.
It aims to stop them turning to drink and drugs and being exploited by gangs.
A project co-ordinator will be working with 25 trained volunteers and providing counselling and guidance to help participants move forward with their lives.
Alistair Smyth, The Guinness Partnership’s director of External Affairs and Social Investment, said: “COVID-19 isn’t a just physical health crisis – it continues to have serious mental health impacts too.
“Projects like this are vital to help young people who have been deeply affected by social isolation and lost opportunities, so they can start building brighter futures again.”
Image: Pressmaster/Shutterstock
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