A finance company is hoping to ‘restore and help treat’ children across the country who may be suffering with their mental health.
Billing Finance has pledged a total of £5,000 to the St Andrew’s LightBulb programme, developed to spot the early signs of anxiety and depression among young people at school.
The project has so far helped 11,000 children across the county. The company, based at Great Billing in Northampton, provides finance for cars, motorbikes and other vehicles and hire purchase agreements to consumers throughout the UK.
Chief executive Oliver Mackaness pictured below said: “Our company tagline states we ‘put people at the heart of everything we do’ and we wanted to do something that proves that we absolutely do this. Unfortunately, working in the finance sector we see on a daily basis how mental health issues can lead to money worries. Similarly, when someone gets into financial difficulties, it is very likely that their mental health will suffer too.
“We firmly believe it is vital to teach children how to look after their mental health so that when they are adults they are more prepared for the challenges they may face.”
The LightBulb programme does important work and the pandemic has affected many young people, he added. “Billing Finance wants to restore and help treat as many children as we can. No child should be suffering in silence and a lot of young people and their teachers, guardians, parents and carers might not even realise there is a problem until it has grown. By then it might become harder to tackle.
“By educating all those who come into contact with young people about the early signs, together, I think we can make a real change.”
LightBulb is suitable for both primary and secondary schools. Support and advice is also provided to parents, carers and guardians. The young people are also provided with resources so they can understand what feelings they, and their friends, may be experiencing and when it might be time to ask for help.
It costs £1 per pupil to roll out the initiative, which means Billing Finance’s generosity will benefit 5,000 young people.
Lightbulb founder Cheryl Smith, headteacher of St Andrew’s College which offers education to young people in St Andrew’s care, said: “It has been a real privilege to have the opportunity to reach out to so many schools and make such a difference to their performance and procedures mental health. We have also used it as a massive stepping stone to creating something which will continue to benefit schools across the country.”
Hundreds of teachers have also been guided through the project.
“We have also ensured that the schools working with us have embedded a culture of positive mental health for their staff, pupils and families and we have built relationships with each provider and service so they can reach out if they need additional training, advice or support from us,” said Ms Smith.
“The money that Billing Finance have so generously donated means we can continue with our work, and help many more schools.”
