Mental health at forefront of new YMCA fundraising campaign

YMCA Derbyshire has launched a new fundraising push after a consultation with the young people it accommodates found that more than half struggle with their mental health.

It found that 56% of its residents were struggling as the pandemic compounded their situation, leading to the need for extra support.

Throughout the pandemic, the accommodation and wellbeing teams at YMCA Derbyshire worked hard to provide young people with extra counselling, one-to-one advice sessions, emergency food parcels and fun online activities.

Now, with restrictions easing, the charity needs to raise more funds to continue these additional services and boost the mental wellbeing of their young people.

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It has created the 56 for the 56% campaign to raise funds for more wellbeing provisions, including access to the gym, five-a-side football evenings, structured work-based programmes with youth workers and equipment for gardening and cooking.

Fundraisers are being asked to take the numbers 5 and 6, create a challenge and gain sponsorship for completing it. This could be running 5.6km for a month, baking 56 cookies and selling them, or even cycling 56 miles every day.

The choice is that of the fundraiser and YMCA Derbyshire will be on hand to provide help with setting up sponsorship pages, sharing social media posts and any other support needed.

Gillian Sewell, chief executive at YMCA Derbyshire, said: “After such a difficult year, where many of our young have struggled with isolation, unemployment and food poverty, this campaign will really help to enhance their lives.

“By giving them more opportunities to engage positively with others and learn new skills, the 56% could be dramatically decreased. Our aim is to support these young people a on their journey towards happiness and to move forward with confidence.”

For more information e-mail fundraising@ymcaderbyshire.org.uk.