Mental health project wins funding to support young women in Cheshire

Inspire Cheshire, which comes under the umbrella of health and wellbeing charity Motherwell Cheshire, has received a £90,820 grant from the Pilgrim Trust.

The money will fund counselling, befriending and peer support activity sessions for the next three years.

These sessions are open to girls and women in Winsford, Crewe and the surrounding areas who are aged 16 to 25 and struggling with their mental health.

Motherwell Cheshire founder Kate Blakemore, a trained counsellor, said: “Today, young women are three times more likely than men to experience common mental health problems.

“Anxiety and depression is rife and it’s a crisis we recognised several years ago at Motherwell Cheshire.

“We began Inspire Cheshire to help girls feel more positive about themselves and develop coping mechanisms to deal with day-to-day challenges.

“It’s run by young women for young women and they are over the moon to be recognised with this funding.”

Motherwell Community Hub (Image: Supplied)

Inspire Cheshire’s team has designed a programme which includes counselling, peer support and therapeutic group meetings, held at the charity hub on Beech Drive in Crewe.

They have also expanded the project to include counselling in local schools and training for young wellbeing ambassadors to help identify and care for pupils suffering with their mental health.

New for the spring and summer is #BeActive – a girls-only scheme offering fitness and fun for all abilities.

Self-defence, clubbercise and rockbox taster sessions are underway in the local area with support from Sport England and Cheshire's police and crime commissioner.

Inspire Cheshire coordinator Georgie Kay-Phillips said: “We understand the barriers that can prevent young women and girls from engaging in sport and experiencing the physical and mental health benefits that come with being active.

“So we are providing a safe, relaxed and non-judgmental environment to try out new sports activities and have some fun being active.

“Exercising is a great way to foster your physical and mental wellbeing, and this will also be an opportunity to make new friends.”

Georgie Kay-Phillips and volunteer (Image: Supplied)

Girls aged 13 to 18, or up to 25 with a vulnerability, looking to take part in #BeActive sessions are asked to email georgie.kay-phillips@motherwellcheshirecio.com.