Time to Talk - mentoring young people

Blackburn Youth Zones mentoring programmes will enable the delivery of “Time to Talk” a specific project supporting young people age 5-19 (or 21 with a disability) and responding to young people’s individual needs/priorities it will particularly target those disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as young carers, looked after children, mental health, self-harm and abuse.

In Blackburn with Darwen 39.5% of the 43,000 children and young people live in poverty and are disadvantaged (national average 27%). Many of BYZ's members talk to us about experiencing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's, both historically and presently, and how these have impacted negatively on their long term physical/mental health and emotional wellbeing, e.g. anxiety, self-harm, etc. Young people regularly talk to us about how their ACEs cause them now to find social situations.

Blackburn with Darwen is the 9th most deprived area within the IOD. A third of all young people are classed as disadvantaged, vulnerable and at risk.  A significant number are dealing with problematic family relationships and struggling to understand their emotions. They have low self-esteem and low aspirations for their future.  As a result, many resort to substance misuse, criminal activity and are at risk of sexual exploitation.

Since the onset of the pandemic child abuse calls to NSPCC are up 20% since lockdown. Concerns around children suffering emotional abuse since the lock down started have increased by 50% and calls about suspected neglect are up 4%, with a 9% rise for suspected physical abuse. Since the start of lockdown 83% of young people felt their mental health had become worse since the school closures, with the number of calls to the National Domestic Abuse helpline are 49% higher than normal after three weeks of lockdown. Blackburn with Darwen 39.5% of the 43,000 children and young people live in poverty and are disadvantaged (national average 27%). As a result of the lockdown, a higher percentage of young people may resort to substance misuse, criminal activity and are at risk of sexual exploitation.

'Time to Talk’ will provide flexible support, responding to young people’s individual needs/priorities.

Supporting this project will enable the delivery of face-to-face, 121 and small group (in accordance with government social distancing guidelines) support, mentoring support, plus phone calls, online and 1-1, groupwork face-to-face activities for 170 most vulnerable young people. Time to Talk will focus delivery on the most vulnerable young people living locally, who are at greatest risk of becoming hidden, negative social, health or economic impacts and have been disproportionately affected by the continued impact of Covid-19.

The funding for this project will increase the provision of holistic services for vulnerable young people servicing a spectrum of needs, emerging or increased pre-existing needs as a continued impact of COVID 19. It will also increase aspirations and achievement amongst young people, particularly those from the BAME community, who have been disproportionately affected by the continued impact of Covid-19 and have been impacted in ways that they now need support with eg- poor mental health/emotional wellbeing.

The project also plans to increase confidence, self-esteem and resilience amongst vulnerable young people who have been affected by covid-19 or who are at risk of developing increased poor emotional or mental health.