Cheltenham youth charity sees growing amount of young people facing mental health challenges
The Rock is raising money to help support young people during challenging times
Cheltenham youth charity, The Rock, say they’re seeing an increasing amount of young people facing mental health challenges.
It’s as they’re teaming up with local businesses to hold a ball and raise money to better support young people in the spa town.
The aim is to raise £20,000 for The Rock and Friends of Imperial Square, Heritage and Conservation who to continue the restoration of the railings and ornamental entrances at Imperial Square Gardens.
Coinciding with World Mental Health Day (10 October), The Rock is highlighting the growing mental health challenges facing children and young people.
Data released this year from The Children’s Commissioner for England revealed that over a quarter of a million children were still waiting for support after being referred to Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services in 2022-23.
Increasingly, children as young as nine are struggling with anxiety, low confidence, and the pressures of poverty, digital life, and school.
Through long-term, individualised support, The Rock offers a safe and engaging space where young people can build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
The charity provides an escape for young people as well as support in the form of evening and holiday youth work as well as mountain biking, mechanics, skateboarding, arts, cooking, archery, Lego therapy, and accredited courses.
It’s in an aim to help young people develop practical skills and emotional wellbeing.
The Rock supports over 1,000 children and young people annually, from age seven upwards as well as working with over 19 secondary and primary schools.
Andy Macauly, Operations Director at The Rock said: “Our experience of local schools, they’re fantastic in terms of the support they provide for young people, but there’s a lot of pressure on them particularly around academic outcomes and that pressure often is then put down onto young people as well.”
On what the money raised would go towards he said: “what we’d like to see happen more, is work with young people, particularly around the move from primary to secondary school.
“So, we’re hoping to raise funds to support that work which is really valuable because young people starting secondary school is such a key factor in terms of their wider wellbeing.”
The Grand Coronation Ball is set to take place on the 7th of February 2026 at The Queens Hotel and is hosted by Frank Smith & Co Solicitors, JMP Insurance, HeadOn Public Relations and FISHAC.