On World Mental Health Day we are proud to announce that we are supporting the Place2Be, the UK’s leading children’s mental health charity providing mental health support services in schools to pupils, their teachers, parents and carers. The charity provides a range of mental health support including

• One-to-one counselling, group work and drop-in sessions for children.
• Supporting parents and carers with joint therapy sessions with their child, parenting skills training and bite-sized advice delivered digitally.
• Upskilling teachers and school staff with expert training in the mental health of children and young people.

In May 2022 it was reported that 420,000 children and young people a month are being treated for mental health problems. One in six children in England suffer from anxiety or depression.

Bowmer + Kirkland Chairman, Jack Kirkland, said: “As a leading framework contractor for the Department for Education we are committed to building future-proof, sustainable schools but also want to support the children in those schools. Our financial support during the 2021/22 academic year ensured Place2Be provided help to more than 2,000 young people.

“We have promised to support the charity for a further year and are very proud that we are enabling children and young people to access support before it is too late and give them the greatest possible chance of thriving and reaching their full potential.”

Children in the poorest 20% of households are four times more likely to develop a mental illness and a study from the DfE found that children with higher emotional and mental health wellbeing have higher academic achievement and are more engaged in school.

Laura Ashby, Corporate Partnerships Officer at Place2Be, said: “Our work is more vital than ever and would not be possible without the support of companies like Bowmer + Kirkland. Your donation is equivalent to the funds required to support four schools for a whole year – this means every child, plus parents, families and teaching staff, have access to our range of mental health support services.

“We would like to express our most sincere thanks and appreciation for your partnership.”