BELLWAY London, a prominent housebuilder working on the Harbour Village site in Northfleet, has donated £500 to support the Elliott Holmes Memorial Fund (EHMF), a local organisation dedicated to helping young people in Gravesham who are struggling with mental health challenges.
The Elliott Holmes Memorial Fund (EHMF) is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) founded by Peter Scutts and his wife Kerry in August 2021. The organisation was set up in response to the tragic death of their 19-year-old son, Elliott Holmes, who took his own life in 2020. The EHMF provides vital mental health support for young people aged 13 to 18, particularly those in Gravesham, Kent.
Support for Young People in Gravesham
The main focus of EHMF is to provide fast, direct access to private mental health counselling for local teenagers. Through their service, young people are able to self-refer, choose their preferred counsellor, and access up to 12 tailored sessions, all of which are funded by the charity. This service is particularly important as it ensures that teenagers can talk about their mental health struggles with a professional without waiting for NHS services, which can often be overburdened.
With the Bellway London donation, the fund will be used to provide 10 counselling sessions at £50 per session, which will help young people in the area talk through their problems with a trained professional. This contribution underscores the importance of community involvement in addressing the mental health crisis among young people.
The Impact of the Donation
Peter Scutts expressed his gratitude to Bellway London for the support, acknowledging that 83% of the fund’s resources come from community fundraising, with the remainder raised through grants and donations from the private sector. The organisation collaborates with local schools, Kent Police, Darent Valley Hospital, leisure centres, and other well-being entities in the area to ensure that mental health support is accessible to those who need it most.
According to national statistics, approximately 1,200 young people between the ages of 13 and 18 in Gravesham are likely struggling with mental health issues but may not be accessing the help they need. Since its founding, EHMF has helped over 270 young people access mental health services without any waitlists.
Peter added, “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.”
Bellway London’s Commitment to Community Support
James Pitt, Sales Manager at Bellway London, spoke highly of the work EHMF is doing in the Gravesham area. “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 with mental health issues,” said James.
He further shared that Peter had informed him of the tremendous impact the organisation has had, helping 270 young people so far. “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.”
A Lifeline for Young People
The contribution from Bellway London not only supports the continued efforts of the EHMF but also highlights the growing need for mental health services for young people. As mental health issues continue to rise, especially among teenagers, organisations like EHMF provide a crucial lifeline for young people who need immediate, confidential support.
By collaborating with local authorities, schools, and other service providers, the Elliott Holmes Memorial Fund is helping to ensure that young people in Gravesham have the resources they need to navigate difficult mental health challenges and avoid the lengthy wait times often associated with public health services. The Bellway donation is a timely reminder of how corporate social responsibility can play a vital role in supporting community health and well-being.
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