Local Partnership Celebrates Huge Impact

Over a dozen Sandwell charities and not-for-profit organisations came together last week with strategic partners and invited guests to celebrate the close of a £2 million programme that has supported thousands of young people in Sandwell over the last four years.

The Sandwell Emotional Wellbeing Programme was initiated in 2021, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, and resourced through government Covid Relief funds via Sandwell Council to provide help to school-aged children who had been negatively impacted.   This reflected high levels of concerns at the time for young people experiencing bereavement, anxiety, loss of confidence and a sense of isolation from others.

Working closely with strategic partners and experts in young people’s emotional wellbeing and mental health, SCVO grant funded 16 local charities and voluntary organisations to deliver a wide range of support.  This included mentoring, counselling, group peer support, sports-based activities, music and art therapy, as well as support for young people who were experiencing domestic abuse in the home.  Help was offered through close working partnerships with over 80 Sandwell schools as well as in a range of community venues to ensure that the programme was accessible to as many young people as possible and delivered in ways which were culturally sensitive.

Owing to the success of the first instalment of funding in 2021, the programme was extended twice and continued until May 2025.  By the end of support, over 4,500 young people in Sandwell had been helped by the programme.

Speaking at the event Cllr Jalal Uddin, Sandwell Council Cabinet member for Children and Families, highlighted the strength of local partnerships that had made the programme so effective and celebrated the willingness of all involved to step up and mobilise their support during such a challenge time for Sandwell and the country.

Mark Davis, SCVO’s Chief Executive Officer, said “This programme has really demonstrated the energy, expertise and commitment we have available within our local voluntary and community sector. To reach and support over 4,500 young people at what was such a desperate time for many is something everyone involved should be hugely proud of. It also reminds us what a difference we can make through working together – something Sandwell does so well.”

More information about what was delivered and achieved can be read in the programme’s Impact Report.