YOUNG people at a mental health charity are “growing in confidence” and successfully reducing anxiety levels thanks to £100,000 in funding from BBC’s Children in Need.

Over the course of three years, Trust Links has received £100,000 in funding from the national broadcaster’s charity, which has “enabled some fantastic work” for the young children of Youth Links.

This includes our 12-week “learning together” programme for those aged 11 to 16 struggling to attend school due to their mental health or with special educational needs.

A peer support group has also been set up where youngsters work together and with volunteers to share their problems and work together to tackle them. 

Now, they will feature on the BBC in a special show tonight to highlight the success. 

Matt King, the CEO of Trust Links since 2011, said: “We’ve had some funding from Children in Need, which has allowed us to do some fantastic work for Youth Links’ young people.

“Some of the youth projects that have been possible thanks to the incredibly generous donation includes Learning Together, which provides two workshops each week at our Rochford site by our friendly team to promote positive mental health and wellbeing, and building their confidence, resilience and positive self-esteem.

“This batch of funding from Children in Need was in 2021 and since then, we’ve seen more young people grow in confidence, reduce anxiety and some, who were struggling to go to school, are now back in education.

“Some of the young people have said it’s even saved their life.”

BBC Look East presenter Shaun Peel visited Trust Links, in Fairfax Drive, where he asked those a part of the group about how they have benefitted from the funding.

Echo: Working - young people in one of the charity's gardens as they're being filmed for a special BBC Look East reportWorking - young people in one of the charity's gardens as they're being filmed for a special BBC Look East report (Image: Trust Links)

The special report is set to air tonight at 6.35pm and may be included in the main Children in Need show on Friday.

Trust Links is an independent charity, that aims to improve mental health, wellbeing and the environment in Essex.

They offer therapeutic gardening, recovery classes, social activities, employment training, environmental workshops.

In addition, they offer cooking, crafts, and sport activities and provide a safe space for the young people to talk about their feelings.

Children in Need airs this Friday at 7pm on BBC One.

To find out more information about Trust Links and the work the charity does, visit: trustlinks.org.