Milton Keynes young people's mental health charity gets support from Co-op

The charity, which offers free counselling to 11 to 21-year-olds, is asking Co-op members to sign up to support them here .

Currently YiS is raising funds to increase its capacity so it can work with more young people than ever before.

CEO Gareth Eglinton-Pacitti said: “We all understand that this year has been difficult for many, and signs are that there is a young people’s mental health crisis emerging.

"We want to support those that need it most and money raised through this fund will go directly to increasing capacity across everything we do and means we can cut our waiting times for the most vulnerable young people”

Antonietta Moch, YiS’s Education and Training Manager, said: “Our recent World Mental Health day event, put together by young people, saw an increase in interest to join YiS as a young volunteer. The funds and the support from the Co-op community fund will not only help us reach more young people in the local community, it will also enable us to raise greater awareness of our charity, and give young people an opportunity to join us as peer wellbeing champions, so that they feel empowered to lead on future community projects."

At a time when funds are becoming more difficult to access, initiatives such as the Co-op Local Community Fund play an important part in raising awareness and giving financial support to a broad range of community groups and charitable organisations that deliver vital services and support across Milton Keynes.

Michelle Smyth, chair of YiS, said: "We’re really grateful to the Co-op Local Community Fund for supporting YiS. I’m sure many Co-op members know a young person who has been struggling with their mental health now more than ever."

"We urge all Co-op Members to select YiS as their local charity to support, knowing that their purchases will help raise vital funds."

YiS offers a variety of mental health services for young people, including the only BACP-accredited counselling service in Milton Keynes. Its services are delivered in informal community settings and schools across MK which are both friendly and welcoming.

The charity now offers comprehensive education options for young people as well as training for local professionals interested in supporting young people’s mental health.

For more information about YiS see here .