With the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affecting some of the most vulnerable children, young people and families, providing the right support at the right time has never been more vital.
Catch22 has been awarded over £330,000 from the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund, to expand its work across the country to help vulnerable young people and families get back on their feet following the unprecedented pressures of the pandemic.
Part of the money will be used to create a hardship fund for vulnerable families to draw upon, and to further develop digital outreach work.
Kate Wareham, Director of Children, Young People and Families at Catch22, said:
“As communities begin to ‘unlock’, the legacy effects of lockdown remain. We are seeing increased incidence of mental health issues, increased self-harm and suicidal ideation in young people, children and young people drawn into County Lines going missing from home for longer and an increase in domestic violence between family members. Many families have the additional challenge of spiralling debt due to loss of work or simply having the whole family home all day.
“At Catch22 we have existing relationships with many of these families and this funding will enable us to reach out to them – and similar families – more quickly and effectively. We pride ourselves in providing the holistic, tailored support, helping with including easing children back into school and supporting young people into education, and employment.”