Ready Together“We know from our Bee The Difference work that disasters can affect children and young people very differently to adults, and that the support that’s made available to them doesn’t always acknowledge this. Partnering with the King’s Trust is an incredible opportunity not just to diversify the support that’s on offer in future disasters, but to support wider UK resilience-building efforts. Together our charities can work to address the risk factors that affect young people’s mental health and wellbeing year-round, and which can be exacerbated during traumatic events”.
A unique new partnership between National Emergencies Trust and King’s Trust
News and blogsNational Emergencies Trust and King’s Trust come together to address pressing gap in support for young people affected by disasters
Leading UK charities, the National Emergencies Trust and the King’s Trust (formerly Prince’s Trust) have announced a unique new partnership to address the pressing gap in support for children and young people affected by UK disasters.
The partnership means a dedicated package of support can be offered to 16-30 year-olds across the UK to develop their confidence, resilience and overall wellbeing during future emergencies via the King’s Trust’s Team and Explore programmes. Together these encompass one-to-one support for individuals with complex needs, through to structured volunteering programmes, to help overcome the challenges they face and set them on a positive path.
The partnership responds to findings from the National Emergencies Trust’s 2023 Bee The Difference report, in collaboration with Lancaster University and young survivors of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack. The report revealed a concerning gap in support for children and young people following the incident: only 5% of respondents found their initial support helpful, while 29% never received any professional support.
Bee The Difference highlighted the need to make a wider range of mental health support services available to children and young people after disasters so that they are empowered to choose the right support for them. It also pointed to the value of peer support and relationship-building, both of which will be central to the King’s Trust’s programmes. Outside of emergencies the two charities will collaborate on strategic projects to reduce the risk factors that affect young people’s mental health; and further enhance the support that can be made available to young people during future disasters.
Findings from the King’s Trust Youth Index 2024, an annual report conducted by You Gov, reinforce why these efforts to make progress now ahead of future emergencies will be vital. It reveals that one in five young people have missed school or work in the past year due to their mental health, and one in five say their mental health has worsened in the past year.
Mhairi Sharp, CEO of National Emergencies Trust, said:
Jonathan Townsend, UK Chief Executive of The King’s Trust, said:
“In recent years we have seen the significant and lasting impact that disasters such as the Covid pandemic can have on young people. For those in education or starting their careers, it is crucial that support is available as soon as possible so that their life changes are not disproportionately affected. Partnering with the National Emergencies Trust enables us to strengthen our support to young people, ensuring they have the confidence and skills they need to continue on their pathway to work and ultimately to have stable and fulfilling lives”.
The National Emergencies Trust’s National Charitable Partners programme enables a rapid response to needs that are not able to be met locally following a national disaster. This may include offering specialist knowledge and services or ensuring that support is available for people wherever they are based, such as through emergency telephone helplines. The King’s Trust joins a diverse range of other organisations, including Age UK, British Red Cross, Comic Relief, Shelter and Refuge and more.
