Platform Project extends mental health mentoring service

A support service for young people struggling in mainstream education has launched a new initiative in partnership with the NHS.

The Platform Project has been awarded a £45,000 NHS grant to scale-up its therapeutic mentoring service, helping more young people across the region to improve their mental health.

The organisation, based in Swindon, is an innovative not-for-profit social enterprise that works closely with local authorities, education institutions and employers to bridge the gap between education and employment. 

To date the organisation has helped over 1000 young people re-engage in education, secure paid employment or start their own business, with an 89% success rate. 

In recent years, The Platform Project has seen an increasing number of young people experiencing significant mental health challenges preventing them from attending education, having the confidence to apply for employment, or in some cases even leaving their bedrooms. 

The number of school students aged 11 to 18 being referred to the organisation has increased dramatically in the past two years, many of whom struggle to regulate their emotions within the school environment because of their mental health which can manifest in a variety of ways from lashing out and misbehaving through to chronic anxiety and simply refusing to attend.

Through the programme, eligible students are paired with therapeutically trained and qualified mentors providing one-to-one support. The aim is to provide young people with the tools they need for sustainable and resilient futures, where they can thrive in educational settings and set off on a path to a successful and fulfilling career.

Sadie Sharp, CEO at The Platform Project, said, “We have seen so many young people who desperately wanted to be like their peers and just go to school, have a social life or get a job, but were experiencing such emotional distress that they were being pushed into ‘fight or flight’ behaviours.

"They were asking for help, but the thought of talking to a stranger about their inner thoughts and fears was just too intimidating.

“For us it seemed like an obvious choice to create a service that can provide one-to-one support with mentors who are a familiar face and trusted role model but are also uniquely qualified to help with those more complex emotional needs. The results have been astounding.” 

‘Kevin’, aged 13, has used the service for the past year. 

He said: “When I came to the Project I wasn’t going to school and had some proper anger issues. I was getting in fights, I got excluded from school, and I was going around with people who weren’t good for me. 

"Since working with my mentor I’ve learnt more about why I feel and act the way I do and have learnt how to express myself in better ways when I’m frustrated. 

"Now I’m making better decisions, and I am starting in a new school - something I never thought I would have been able to do a year ago. I’m definitely much happier now.”

The NHS funding will enable the programme to scale-up by paying for the recruitment, training and supervision of therapeutic mentors, some of which will be fully trained counsellors and therapists.

Steve Maddern, Director of Public Health at Swindon Borough Council, said, “Providing children and young people with the support and care needed to have a sense of belonging, enjoy healthy lifestyles, do well in learning and have opportunities to truly thrive are key priorities for the Integrated Care Board. 

"Supporting the Platform Project’s work to help more young people in improve their mental health, overcome challenges and develop the tools they need for success will enable us to work towards these priorities and help build a brighter future for our communities.”

For further information on the service, to apply for a role as a Therapeutic Mentor, or to make a referral, people can visit PlatformProject.co.uk or email [email protected]