Spreading some positivity this month, we’re taking a closer look at some of the JD Foundation’s amazing charity partners, those that are changing and saving lives during these testing times.
Founded in 2015, the JD Foundation has been supporting a number small of charities each year. Their mission? Supporting those that work with disadvantaged young people in the UK. From mental health to homeless charities, they work tirelessly to help, through events or fundraising as well as donating sportswear and equipment.
Right here, we’re filling you in on those making a difference specifically through mental health support. Check it out!
Kidscape
“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”
Kidscape’s vision is that all children can grow up in a world that’s free from bullying and harm, with adults who keep them safe and help to reach their full potential.
With a mission to prevent bullying and protect young people, they offer advice, training and practical tools to children, families and professionals, giving guidance on safe and nurturing environments.
By working with the JD foundation, Kidscape raise awareness of bullying and how to stop it. They believe that by working together we can protect more young lives and actively encourage partnership work. With a growing network of Kidscape Representatives who directly support to children and families in communities throughout the UK, they feel that every child has the right to live free from bullying and harm.
Their support includes delivery of ZAP workshops for children going through a bullying situation, back to school workshops for Year 6 pupils and a peer mentoring programme. In the current situation, Kidscape ZAP workshops are still taking place through video conferencing, while the guys also continue to run the Parent Advice Line.
As well as launching Community Leader training, Kidscape’s next challenge is adapting their RISE transition programme so they can support children with the return back to school. They are doing all they can to stay strong and be there for children and families both now – and in the future!
One of the main reasons why JD chose to partner up with the charity is because of how the brand resonates with the children and young people that Kidscape supports, and their presence on every high street in the UK will help them to reach more families who could benefit from Kidscape services. The support Kidscape will receive from this partnership will help them to achieve their vision – and protect even more children and young people faced with a bullying situation.
PAPYRUS (Prevention of Young Suicide)
Working nationally, PAPYRUS is dedicated to the prevention of young suicide – the biggest killer of young people – male and female under 35 in the UK! Founded in ’97, PAPYRUS offers confidential support and advice to young people that are struggling, as well as to those worrying about young people.
Since ‘97, PAPYRUS has continued to listen to and learn from the experiences of those personally touched by young suicide. Today, PAPYRUS works in many ways to prevent young suicide. Their vision is for a society which speaks openly about suicide and has the resources to help young people who may have suicidal thoughts.
PAPYRUS is working to shatter the stigma around suicide and equip young people and their communities with the skills to recognise and respond to suicidal behaviour.
They believe no young person should have to suffer alone with thoughts or feelings of hopelessness and nobody should have to go through the heartbreak of losing a young person to suicide. There are always lessons to be learned from listening to young people at risk of suicide, those who give them support and those who have lost a young person to suicide. By working closely together, the JD foundation has raised awareness and donations that have made a difference to young people’s lives.
Help and support can always be found to anyone struggling with thoughts of suicide or and anyone worried about a young person through their helpline, HOPELINEUK.
To promote positivity for Stress Awareness Month and to support the community during this time, PAPYRUS have come up with a 30-day self-care challenge – do one thing every day to look after yourself. Good vibes all round!
With many more of us having to spend time indoors and work from home, PAPYRUS have come up with some creative ways to squeeze in your daily exercises. In times like these when we’ve been asked to stay indoors, those of us who are used to meeting up with friends at the local gym may find it harder than normal to stick to a fitness routine, so PAPYRUS have come up with the idea to exercise over video chat with friends. What a great way to keep in touch with your crew and support each other!
Supporting everyone in the lock-down including UK charities is such an important thing and PAPYRUS want to keep the momentum going with their 2.6 challenge! They want you to get active basing your activity around the number 2.6 or 26. It can be as creative as you like. Think 26 laps of the garden, a 2.6K run or 26 minutes of yoga a day – the possibilities are endless and what a way to bring people together.
Young Minds (Parents Helpline)
With 3 children in every classroom experiencing some form of mental health problem, Young Minds is fighting for a future where all young minds feel supported and empowered through life. Here to break down the barriers young people face when trying to get help, they make sure they have the resilience to overcome life’s difficulties.
While they work directly with young people to promote good mental health, their Parents Helpline is a safe place for worried parents to get in touch too. For over 20 years the helpline has been a lifeline for parents who feel they have nowhere else to turn. They support over 13,000 families a year providing anxious parent and carers with the knowledge and skills to improve the mental health of their child.
Since we’ve all be inside a lot more lately, Young Minds are ensuring as many young people and families as possible feel supported and able to look out for themselves and others during this difficult and uncertain time.
Not only has the Parents Helpline staff and volunteers taken on working from home to continue the support to parents who are worried about the situation of the child’s mental health, they’ve also published various blogs on self-care and well-being during these testing times. With the support of the JD Foundation, Young Minds is able to train 250 young people to have the skills and confidence to share their experiences of mental health, and support over 500 parents who reach their helpline.
Young Minds believe that young people’s experiences are the most powerful tool in changing attitudes and improving mental health services. Through their Activism Programme they closely support young people who have experience of mental health issues, providing support and training to help them speak openly about mental health, campaign for change and shape their world. What an inspiration!
With the help and support that the JD Foundation provides all of their charity partners, Kidscape, PAPYRUS and Young Minds are able to keep offering support during this difficult time. If you want to do your bit to help, you can donate over at the JD Foundation’s Total Giving page here.
To keep up with all the amazing things the JD Foundation are involved in, make sure you’re following them over at @thejdfoundation. Stay tuned here for more…
