How you can help Congleton youth mental health charity Visyon just by buying groceries
A Congleton charity has expressed their gratitude for becoming a Co-op local cause for 2023.
By Alex Greensmith
Posted: Monday, 27th February 2023 11:51 am
A Congleton charity could receive thousands of pounds from the Co-op's Local Community Fund.
Visyon is one of four Congleton-based causes the Co-op will donate money to in 2023.
They have helped thousands of Congleton and Cheshire children over the last 28 years.
Visyon supports the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children, young people and their families.
Visyon has ten therapy rooms across its two sites in Congleton and Crewe, offering support to children and young people experiencing challenging times.
They have been a safe and reliable space for vulnerable children to go to seek support and advice since 1994.
Congleton Nub News met with Fundraising and Marketing Manager Linda de Sá at their welcoming Congleton centre to find more about their vital service and what they will spend their Co-op funding on.
"Visyon is a charity that supports the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people across Cheshire East", said Linda.
"We do this by developing practical strategies through emotional support, individual counselling, group therapy, mentoring, creative activities and wellbeing workshops.
"Young people come to us with anxiety, stress, low mood, anger, self-harm and thoughts of suicide.
"We have people who are struggling with bereavement, abuse, neglect, illness, bullying, family circumstances and/or the effects of poverty. Anything that can have an impact on their day-to-day life can affect a child and we're here for them.
"To give an idea of the scale of how many people we help, from April 2022 to December 2022, we helped 361 children from Congleton, and that doesn't include a further 609 across Cheshire East in that same period."
They also hold workshops that parents can attend, to best understand what their children are going through, with topics from sexuality to suicide.
The frequency of these sessions has increased since the pandemic, as has their support in schools from Visyon's Education Team delivering training and support to staff and parents.
The number of children and young people being recorded as persistently absent from school has increased following the pandemic. They are missing more than 10% of their sessions, according to the latest NHS Digital data. This equated to 23.5% of students in autumn 2021.
"Of the many changes we've witnessed to the demographic of the young people using our service, since COVID, it is that the average age has dropped," revealed Linda.
"We're proud as an organisation of our 'Open Access' service which ensures, after an initial assessment, that a young person is seen within ten days.
"But what we are seeing sadly even from those first consultations is that a lot of them are dealing with self-harm.
"We're here as a service and never say no to anyone, even if that means referring families to other experts for things we don't cover.
"It is great to help as many people that need it as possible. But with more demand, comes more funding needs.
"Our funding is split into two parts. There's funding from councils and schools, which is about half what we currently get.
"Our costs have increased over the last few years due to increased demand and the current cost of living crisis meaning we need to raise £990,000.
"Visyon has been reliant on statutory funding, trusts and foundations, and it is now time to start diversifying that funding further within the local community so the Local Community Fund from the Co-op partnership has come at a great time to raise this awareness.
"The Co-op money will go directly towards delivering our essential service to vulnerable children, young people and their families from counselling through to workshops. So Co-op Members can know that the money they have raised is going to help local children.
"Thank you to any Co-op Member who chooses money donated from their shopping to go to us, it makes such a difference.
"We love being based in Congleton, it is a lovely community well-connected to smaller and bigger towns. It makes us accessible to those that need us.
While a wellness charity can be located anywhere, there is something quite striking about Visyon's location with two beauty spots within a stone's throw from their site.
Directly to the rear of their entrance is Congleton Paddling Pool, and just a little further down the road is the Victorian beauty of Congleton Park.
So if a child turns up early to a counselling session, they are surrounded by natural beauty spots, which can help a little with the struggles they are going through.
"Almost 40 of us work here", said Amy.
"Over 30 of those are Therapeutic Practitioners.
"Visyon is open Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm, and you can call us on 01260 290000.
The charity was founded amid tragic circumstances, where three young Congleton residents took their own life, and the founding family saw a gap in the support that could have helped their daughter.
Congleton Nub News estimates suggest they hold 7,971 sessions per year.
To youngsters, mums and dads on the fence about whether they think Visyon's help is required, Linda had this to say.
"Please give us a call, we know it's a big step to take but you're not alone in how you're feeling and we can help," she said.
"We provide a free service for children living or going to school across Cheshire East.
"Don't be scared to get in touch. In the rare instance we can't help, we can signpost you to someone who can.
"We are trying to be that visible beating heart of the community so that people can see and know that we're here to help.
"We've just launched our first ever newsletter which you can sign up for, and find out what services are on offer and how you can get involved with events or fundraising.
"And once again thanks to the Co-op and their members. We've been a Co-op cause before and have loved working with them.
"At the moment around £65 can cover a counselling session, and it doesn't take long to raise that much by scanning your Co-op card when you shop.
"And we wouldn't be able to empower young people at all without donations and fundraising schemes such as this."
When you buy selected Co-op branded products and services, 2p for every pound spent goes to you and the Co-op gives the same to local communities.
It doesn't cost you a penny to raise money for local causes, just become a Co-op Member and shop as you please.
Just make sure you select Visyon on the Co-op app if you want your money to go to them!
Join the Co-op today online at this webpage or in-store.
Click on this other link to find out more about the Local Community Fund.
Congleton: You can also show Visyon some support by giving them a like on Facebook.
See Also: Congleton charity and children with disabilities to benefit from Co-op funding
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