Page 43 - Essex Mason (Issue 92)

Kids Inspire

launch new mentor training

Chelmsford based charity, Kids Inspire, set to train dozens of new mentors – dedicated volunteers able
to provide one to one help for children with mental health issues – thanks to a £3,000 grant from Essex
Freemasons.
The money, donated via the Essex Freemasons Community Fund, will enable one of the county’s most active charities,
to increase its support offering to children who have been overwhelmed by negative feelings and a wide range of other
issues which are now impacting their lives both at home and school.
“In 2021 we have had nearly 3,500 children referred to us so far from every part of the
county, as far away as Clacton and Southend,” said Paula Ashfield, Head of Fundraising
for Kids Inspire. “It means we desperately need new mentors trained to offer a ‘step-down
service’ to young people in need of extra support from us following a course of therapy.
This grant from Essex Freemasons will enable us to train up to 30 more volunteer mentors
who will each be allocated a child facing mental health issues.”
“Mentoring is a vital part of our work at Kids Inspire which has seen a demand for our services increase over the last two
years due to Covid. Each child receives one to one attention and this service is particularly valuable for boys who can be
assigned a male mentor who can act as a positive role model.”
The charity provides mental health and trauma recovery support for children and young people from 4-21. Their qualified,
experienced team have been trained in a broad range of therapies and work creatively to encourage body and mind
reconnection. The focus is on the strengths of the child, their uniqueness, family and other relationships.
“Kids Inspire was founded in 2007 and is now a vital part of the Essex Community,” said Colin Felton, Provincial Charity
Steward for Essex Freemasons. “It is the kind of charity that our members like to support. Kids Inspire do a fantastic job
and we have been pleased to help.”
Pictured from left to right: Paul Ashfield, Head of Fundraising at Kids Inspire; Sheila Moorcroft, who has been a mentor at
the charity for more than four years; Colin Felton, Provincial Charity Steward for Essex Freemasons; and Veronica Mead,
who has worked as a Mentor since April 2021.