PUPILS across 12 Devon primary schools are set to benefit from assemblies designed to inspire young people and destigmatise mental health thanks to funding from South West Water.

The Youth Mental Health Foundation is a Devon-based, not-for-profit, unincorporated community association that supports local young people’s mental health.

In 2015, Claire and Joel Sutton discovered their 11-year-old daughter Jade was suffering from anxiety and depression and had been self-harming daily for two years.

They recognised that alongside the professional help Jade was receiving, there was a valuable contribution they as parents could make to support Jade’s recovery and dedicated themselves to this role.

Today, Jade is a happy, healthy and confident 17-year-old girl.

As an ambassador for The Youth Mental Health Foundation, she has spoken to more than 35,000 young people about mental health, visiting more than 73 schools.

Joel explained: “The Covid pandemic has put incredible strain on young people’s mental health and we have been approached by many schools wanting us to visit to deliver an assembly.

“To date we’ve covered the costs of delivering these assemblies as a family, but there are so many schools who want us to help them support their pupils’ mental health that we need to raise funds to help us cover our costs.

“Thanks to a grant from South West Water’s Neighbourhood Fund, we’ll be able to reach hundreds more children.”

Jo Ecroyd, Customer Service Director of South West Water, said: “We know that young people’s mental health has been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, so we’re delighted to be able to support the Youth Mental Health Foundation to reach more pupils.”

This funding comes as part of South West Water’s Neighbourhood Fund to support community groups and initiatives which will improve the lives of residents in Devon, Cornwall and Dorset by inspiring physical activities, enhancing education, health and wellbeing and delivering positive environmental outcomes.

The local community groups which are benefitting from the Neighbourhood Fund have been struck by the effects of the pandemic due to a limited supply of cash and the inability to receive funds through typical methods of fundraising.

To find out more about the South West Water Neighbourhood Fund, visit: southwestwater.co.uk/community/support/neighbourhood-fund .

To find out more about the Youth Mental Health Foundation, visit: YouthMentalHealthFoundation.org .