A CHARITY is set to launch an online course to support girls’ mental health.
Leamington-based Flourish has received funding from the Heart of England Coronavirus Emergency Fund, Warwickshire Councillor Fund and the Warwick King Henry Fund to launch a digital group course.
The charity – which aims to improve mental wellbeing in 11 to 18-year-old girls – says it has seen a surge in girls referred to its services with anxiety since lockdown began.
National charity Childline also reports three in five of its calls are from girls feeling lonely or upset and a Girl Guiding survey has revealed more than half of girls aged 15-18 says lockdown has had a negative impact on their mental health.
Flourish director Kerstin Friend said: “Young people have seen their general support services stripped away with school closures and other positive activities pausing during lockdown. At Flourish we have seen increasing referrals for girls with high anxiety and struggling to manage their mental wellbeing. “Many of the girls are worried about the crisis, about school and education, some are struggling with growing tensions in the family home. We wanted to do something to help them during this time, even when we can’t see them face-to-face.”
Parents and carers can refer girls onto a course on the charity’s website and they then join a weekly online group which is held for six weeks.
Sessions involve games, activities and chat along with wellbeing tools to help at home.
Kerstin added: “We have so far piloted 2 successful and fully booked courses. We hope to keep running them throughout the summer and into the next academic year. It’s clearly something that is so needed at this time.”
Visit www.youcanflourish.co.uk for more information.
