An urgent appeal for funding has been made to save a mental health lifeline for Sidmouth’s young people and their families.

Two services commissioned by Sidmouth’s Wellbeing and Health Action Team (WHAT) - part of Sid Valley HELP - will come to an end later this year if the funding cannot be found.

One is a mental health mentoring programme for pupils aged 13 and over at Sidmouth College, provided by Action East Devon. This is in addition to the social, emotional and mental health support given to students by the school's own staff.

Last year 34 students received one-to-one mentoring sessions under the WHAT programme, and were helped with issues including self-harm, anxiety, anger, eating disorders, exam pressures and autism. Where necessary, students are referred on to other services. 

The programme was cut by half in November 2023, because of the lack of funding, and is currently supporting 10 students. It will end completely in July this year unless the funding situation is resolved.

The other service, also due to end in July, is for parents and carers of young people with poor mental health. The charity Parental Minds provides a Sidmouth hub, meeting face to face every two weeks and offering Zoom meetings in the alternate weeks.

Last year 79 caregivers attended the two-hour in-person hubs and 48 attended online. Support was also provided via WhatsApp. In the last 12 months there has been a 74 per cent increase in sign-ups.

One caregiver said: "I honestly don't know how I would cope without Parental Minds. The Sidmouth hub brings together some very special people who understand each other and are comforted in a couple of hours of calm, sharing their struggles. Thank you to everybody at Parental Minds and especially the Sidmouth hub team, the stars in our dark skies."

WHAT needs to raise around £20,000 per annum to keep these two key services running. The team are making many applications for grants and donations and are grateful to those who have already offered their support, both financially and otherwise – but more is needed.

Donations can be made via the Sid Valley HELP website. Alternatively cheques made out to Sid Valley HELP can be sent by post Woodpeckers, Knowle Drive, Sidmouth EX10 8HW.