Publication Date: 23-10-2024 09:00
Housebuilder donation supports organisation which helps young people with mental health problems in Gravesham
Bellway London has donated £500 in support of a local organisation which helps young people with mental health problems in Gravesham.
The housebuilder, which is building new homes at its Harbour Village site in Northfleet, made the contribution to the Elliott Holmes Memorial Fund (EHMF).
The not-for-profit Community Interest Company was set up by Peter Scutts and his wife Kerry in August 2021, after their 19 year old son Elliott Holmes took his own life in 2020.
EHMF provides fast, direct access to private mental health counselling for young people aged 13 to 18, living in Gravesham. The service allows teenagers to self-refer, select their preferred counsellor and receive up to 12 tailored sessions, which are paid for by EHMF.
The Bellway London donation will be used to pay for 10 counselling sessions, at £50 each, to enable young people to talk about their problems with a professional counsellor.
Peter, of Istead Rise, said: “83% of our funding comes as a direct result of community fundraising events. The remainder through the private sector by way of grants and donations. We are grateful to Bellway London for reach out to us and for their contribution.
“We collaborate closely with secondary schools in Gravesham, Kent Police, Darent Valley Hospital leisure centres and local well-being entities. Based on national statistics, 1,200 young people aged between 13 and 18 living in Gravesham will be struggling with their mental health and not accessing the help they need – since April 2022, EHMF have not had a single young person waiting to access help.
“We are here so that young people who are struggling can refer themselves to us and we can help put them in touch with private counsellors without adding to the burden on the NHS.”
James Pitt, Sales Manager at Bellway London, said: “When we heard about the sterling work that the EHMF is doing in Gravesham we were keen to make contact and to help them maintain the invaluable service they offer to young people who have mental health issues.
“Peter told us that the organisation he founded after the tragic death of his stepson Elliott has already helped 270 young people get access to professional counselling to help them try to deal with their problems. This figure proves that there is a real need for their service, which is run by volunteers, and it is good to know that our donation will help support them.”
Further details about the work of EHMF can be seen at https://www.ehmf.org.uk.
To find out more about Harbour Village call the sales team on 01474 444233 or visit https://www.bellwaylondon.co.uk/new-homes/thames-gateway/harbour-village.
