Suffolk multi-academy trust (MAT) to offer third year of mental health support for pupils thanks to funding

A Suffolk-based multi-academy trust has secured funding for a third year of mental health provision across its 21 schools.

The Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust has commissioned the YMCA Trinity Group for the last two years to support pupils with their mental health.

Additional funding from the Eastern Counties Educational Trust (ECET) has secured the provision for a third year.

The support from the YMCA Trinity Group is predominantly one-to-one therapy for individuals with some additional group work, on issues such as self-esteem, anxiety, behavioural and family challenges, and is provided by a fully qualified mental health therapist on site at each of the schools.

Alistair Young, YMCA Trinity Group’s clinical operations manager, said: “We have seen a rise in mental health issues among young people post-pandemic. However, I think the pandemic has most likely revealed the extent of mental health issues that were there before.”

Jane Sheat, CEO of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust, said: “We are delighted to be working for a third year with YMCA Trinity Group to support our pupils’ mental health.

“As a trust, we are very aware of the social and emotional issues affecting some pupils and are confident that trained YMCA therapists have really helped over the last two years.

“We are keen to help pupils to address some of the mental health issues which have worsened since Covid. This will enable pupils to do well at school and to develop skills for life.

“We are grateful to the ECET trust for a generous grant which has funded this work for the last two years and now into a third year.

“Therapists will continue to work in hubs across Suffolk, supporting our 21 MAT schools and the work they do to promote children’s wellbeing.”

Its schools include Wetheringsett CofE Primary School, near Stowmarket, Hartest CofE Primary School, near Bury St Edmunds, Tudor CofE Primary School, in Sudbury, All Saints’ CofE Primary School, in Newmarket, and St Matthew’s CofE Primary School, in Ipswich.