A new initiative uniting two local charities and Cheshire East Council has been backed to boost the mental and emotional health of youngsters.

Healthy Young Minds, is putting the mental and emotional wellbeing of children and young people at the forefront. 

This collaborative effort, co-produced by children and young people themselves alongside families, professionals, and local organisations, offers a comprehensive approach to building resilience and preventing future struggles.

A youth conselling room for the charity Visyon. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Commissioned by Cheshire East Council, Healthy Young Minds aims to reduce the need for specialised services by providing early intervention and tailored support. 

Katy Ellison, commissioning manager at the council, highlights the service's potential for long-term impact: "This service is a catalyst for change. By working together, we can empower young people with the tools they need to thrive."

A Macclesfield and Congleton-Crewe charity, which both serve teens from Macclesfield, will provide this new service.

Just Drop In, formerly of Duke Street and Great King Street, are now based on Brook Street in Macclesfield.

Healthy Young Minds will be delivered by Visyon and Just Drop In, two highly respected local providers known for their dedication to children and young people wellbeing.

As part of the contract, CVS Cheshire East, which recently rescued another Macclesfield charity from the brink, will be establishing a Healthy Young Minds Alliance. Their combined expertise and established community connections ensure 'seamless service delivery', according to Cheshire East Council.

Unlike Just Drop In, Visyon does not have an office in Macclesfield but does have one in nearby Congleton, and a new one in Crewe.

Ann Wright looks towards Just Drop In's opening hours.

Both Visyon and Just Drop In prioritise children and young people voices.

Sam Ruck, head of therapeutic services at Visyon, emphasises, "Young people are central to everything we do. We work collaboratively with parents, schools, and children and young people to create a supportive environment."

NHSDigital figures from before the pandemic revealed one in nine young people had a mental health condition. That figure is now one in four.

Ann Wright, chief officer at east Macclesfield good cause Just Drop In, underscores their commitment to accessibility: "We offer early help and prevention, making services available when and where they're needed most – for children and young people and their families."

The majority of the time parents refer their children to Visyon's support service, but young people can also call up when in need of help. (Image - Visyon)

Healthy Young Minds fosters collaboration through a children and young people mental health alliance facilitated by CVS Cheshire East.

This alliance ensures all stakeholders, especially children and young people, have a voice in decision-making.

Aoife Middlemass, sector development lead at CVS Cheshire East, explains, "The Alliance strengthens partnerships, allowing us to learn, develop, and celebrate successes together."

This innovative service represents a significant investment in the mental and emotional wellbeing of Cheshire East's children and young people. 

Last year, Just Drop In also expanded the geographic range of their services to Poynton, which is also in the Cheshire East borough.

By working together, professionals, families, and young people themselves are building a brighter future for generations to come. 

Macclesfield charity Just Drop In has been at the forefront of the youth mental health crisis, which has particularly been exacerbated by the pandemic.

The Brook Street charity - which recently opened a second office in Knutsford - provides free counselling and wellbeing services for young people aged 12-25 who are finding life hard.

Should you wish for your child to seek support from either Just Drop In or Visyon, please head to their websites for contact details.

Indeed, Cheshire East Council is not the only political body to have recognised the ongoing mental health crisis in young people.

Former Macclesfield MP David Rutley said earlier this month, that youth mental health support would be his 'greatest achievement' if re-elected, which he was not.