Young people in North Cumbria will benefit from additional mental health support thanks to a funding boost from Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW).
The additional funding for Barnardo’s MyTime will mean that children and young people aged five to 18 have greater access to 1:1 sessions, group work and therapy.
MyTime already supports around 1,000 children and young people across Cumbria each year ranging from anxiety, low self-esteem, low mood, self-harm and depression. The impact of the pandemic has also meant that even greater numbers of children and young people are needing additional support.
Nicola Byrne, Barnardo’s Children’s Services Manager at MyTime in Cumbria said: “Our skilled practitioners have a real impact on the lives of children and young people who are going through challenging periods in their lives. This funding to help us reduce the waiting times gives us an opportunity to support even more children to overcome any issues they are facing and help them to become more resilient and ultimately happier.”
Young people who currently access the MyTime service are extremely positive about the support offered to them. One young person said: “My worker was very easy to talk to and I felt I could trust her. I didn’t realise how negative I was about myself before counselling and I now know I can take more control over my moods.”
Another said: “I enjoy talking about things in my life and feeling listened to. It makes me feel like I matter having someone who values what I say.”
Jean Hamilton, Clinical Service Manager at CNTW said: “We are delighted to support Barnardo’s MyTime waiting times initiative. Due to the unprecedented demand for children’s mental health services in recent months, waiting times have unfortunately become longer.
“CNTW and our partners in North Cumbria are doing all we can to deliver a robust service and reduce those waiting times so children and families can access the mental health service they need, when they need it. This project from Barnardo’s will form an important part of that work.”
MyTime is part of the CAMHS Service and offers support for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues by providing early targeted interventions. The service also provides advice and support to parents, carers, school staff and others working in children’s services across the county.
