Response launches 2026 Christmas appeal
Response plans to raise £42,717 so it can recruit, train and equip a full-time wellbeing youth worker in 2026 who will provide preventative and open access support locally.
The new recruit would be based at the charity’s brand-new Wellbeing Hub which opened in October and support the team’s mission to prevent mental health issues from escalating further, or reaching a crisis point.
The Christmas appeal launch comes after data from the Children’s Commissioner found the number of children with active referrals to the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services increased by almost 10,000 last year, reaching 958,200.
In addition, suicide rates for those aged 15-19 are at their highest level in 30 years.
Nicola Leavesley, our CEO, said: “Christmas should be a time of joy for all people, particularly children.
“But the coming weeks will feel anything but festive for thousands of young people who are experiencing their own personal challenges right now.
“We are in the midst of a mental health crisis, and it is the responsibility of our team to work with families before crisis strikes.
“Already, we are seeing positive outcomes from the launch of our new wellbeing hub in Thatcham. But, ultimately, demand for our services continues to outweigh resource which is why we have launched our Christmas appeal.”
One person who has turned to Response and its funded non-clinical mental health service for support is Jeremy.
The 15-year-old, who is autistic, was forced to leave his school this year after he was bullied.
After experiencing thoughts of self-harm, Jeremy was referred to Response’s Wellbeing Hub in Thatcham where he is supported by the charity’s sole wellbeing youth worker via one-to-one sessions.
In six months, he has started to rebuild his confidence and found ways to manage his anxieties while his parents are now searching for a new school where he can feel safe, understood and is able to thrive.
Nicola added: “Jeremy’s story epitomises how, with the right guidance, our team can intervene to support young people in their moment of need and potentially avoid crisis.
“There will be hundreds – possibly thousands – of others in our operating patch who will be experiencing hardship equivalent to Jeremy while he was in school right now.
“We want to work with those children, and help them aspire to a bright future where they can be the best version of themselves.
The festive season can be a challenging time for many, both mentally and practically. But, if you are able to dig deep and back our Christmas appeal you’ll do so in the knowledge that every penny will be used to support those facing crisis.”
To support Response’s Christmas appeal, donate via The Good Exchange website. In a further boost, funds donated via the page will be matched by The Greenham Trust meaning each donation will have twice the impact.
