Saving Youth Clubs, Supporting Young Minds: One Charity’s Mission to Reach Kids Before Crisis

By Dawn Carey, Mental Health Editor and Consultant Editor

As the CEO of a children’s mental health charity, I’m constantly exploring new ways to support young people early on. But I never expected we’d one day find ourselves running a youth club!   

Let me take you back a few months. Jamie, my COO—my right hand, truly—told me about a local youth club that was about to close.

Without intervention, 25 young people would be left without a safe place to go each week.

Now, normally, I'm the one with the "big ideas," not Jamie! My first thought was, “No way. We’re already stretched too thin. A youth club would be too much to handle.”   

But 24 hours later, there I was, alongside Jamie, surrounded by kids at the youth club! And honestly, it turned out to be one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.

Since then, the youth club has gone from strength to strength, growing from 25 children to over 100 registered attendees, with 50-60 kids joining us each week. 

What’s truly special about the youth club is the timing—it’s supporting kids just before they take on the big transition to secondary school. Many of them will now start that journey already knowing new friends, with familiar faces in their classrooms.

And because we have counsellors running the club, there’s always someone there to talk to if they’re struggling.   

Early intervention is crucial in mental health.

As we often say, “Reach kids before they reach crisis.” The youth club has become a powerful way to do just that.

It is so sad how many youth clubs are closing and I understand why, with funding so hard to secure, so to save just one is is something we are very proud of here at ICM.  

To find out more about In Charley's Memory click here

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