A CHARITY that aims to help young people with their mental health is appealing for funds to create a new drop-in safe space and advice shop.
No 5 Young People wants the hub to offer free mental health support, counselling, mentoring and life skills training, as well as presenting opportunities within the community.
Among the supporters are Stuart and Amanda Stephens, the parents of Olly who died following a stabbing in January 2021. They raised £2,200 for No5 Young People for its development through an angling event held last summer.
And a match-funding grant has been given by the John Sykes Foundation, following on from a donation of a covid grant last year.
Mr Stephens said: “Southlake Angling Society came to me with a question of how they could help. That inspired them and the local community to hold the Olly Stephens Charity Match and Memorial Fishing Event which was held around Southlake in Woodley, at the end of last summer.
“Alongside raising money for charity, the event was an introduction to angling for over 50 children and their parents with the mental health benefits of being in the outdoor environment, learning about the natural world around them.”
He said many participants had never tried fishing before, but the success of the event meant another is planned for this summer.
“The generosity of the companies we approached, and from the general public was overwhelming, and we thank them wholeheartedly,” he added.
“With match-funding, each of our charities received nearly £4,500.”
The couple are firmly behind No5’s plans: “Over the last two years, we have met and been introduced to many dedicated youth and child services providers.
“Reading needs the hope that the No5 Hub will bring.”
This was a view shared by John Sykes, founder and chair of trustees of the John Sykes Foundation, who said there had been no hesitation in supporting the appeal with match funding.
“We’re dedicated in supporting the young people in Reading and recognise the exemplary and valuable work that No5 are doing within our town. The number of those requiring counselling and mental health support is ever-increasing,” he said.
“Open-access, drop-in hubs for mental health act as a net that catches the young people who fall through the gaps, as well as giving opportunities to meet others, share ideas, and engage in activities and build relationships with safe, trusted adults.
“Access to these hubs reduces the burdensome task of managing mental health alone, and we know Reading Young People’s Hub will provide a safe space to receive early support.”
Carly Newman, operations and relationships manager at No5 Young People, said they were honoured to be one of three charities that received funding from the fishing day, and were grateful to the Foundation for their additional support.
“It really demonstrates the power of local people, communities and organisations coming together in support of this vital Hub project,” she said.
The Stephens also donated £2,020 from a GoFundMe account set up in the wake of Olly’s death.
“We have told those that donated and continue to donate that every penny will be carefully spent with children’s needs at the heart of every donation,” they said.
“ The work and services that No5 provide to our young people is remarkable and very undervalued by society as a whole. Children are literally our future, and with the pressures they now face growing up, people like No5 are in desperate need.”
This has meant a total of £6,420 has been raised by partners across the community towards Reading Young People’s Hub.
No5 are hoping to raise even more money towards the development of the Hub with a upcoming fundraising Gala at the Hilton Hotel, Reading on Saturday, April 22.
For more details, or to support the hub, email projects@no5.org.uk
