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Liverpool ONE Foundation’s Commitment to Children’s Mental Health
As we celebrate Children’s Mental Health Week from 3rd to 9th February, the Community Foundation for Merseyside (CFM) is proud to highlight the incredible work of the Liverpool ONE Foundation. With its long-term commitment to improving the mental well-being of children and young people, the Liverpool ONE Foundation has been a vital source of support in the Liverpool City Region for over 15 years.
The Liverpool ONE Foundation was originally established in 2005 as the Liverpool Paradise Foundation. Its mission, to give back to the community. In 2009, Liverpool ONE moved the fund to the management of CFM, allowing for more strategic and impactful grant-making. Since then, the Liverpool ONE Foundation has awarded…
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Prioritising Children’s Mental Health
Following extensive research and consultation, the Liverpool ONE Foundation shifted its focus to children and young people’s mental health and well-being in 2017.
Recognising the increasing challenges faced by young people, the Liverpool ONE Foundation has supported a diverse range of initiatives, from arts-based community interventions to counselling and early intervention programs.
An independent evaluation by the Directory of Social Change highlighted the effectiveness of this varied approach noting:
“The Liverpool ONE Foundation’s grant-making strategy responded effectively to the needs of children and young people in Merseyside. By funding a wide range of interventions provided by local and often specialist charities, the Liverpool ONE Foundation was able to tackle the issue of mental wellbeing of children and young people from different perspectives.
By funding arts-based and community interventions, the Liverpool ONE Foundation supported a more dynamic and less conventional approach to mental health… At the same time, Liverpool ONE funded more traditional approaches to mental health, such as counselling-based interventions, which met the needs of the most vulnerable children and young people.”
Liverpool ONE’s grants enabled children and young people to improve their emotional and mental well-being mainly by increasing their sources of resilience.
– Directory of Social Change
Beyond Grant-Making
What sets the Liverpool ONE Foundation apart is its holistic approach to mental health support. In addition to providing funding, the Liverpool ONE Foundation has offered Mental Health First Aid training to grant recipients, convened local mental health organisations to share best practices, and has led awareness-raising campaigns, such as a radio initiative aimed at reducing the stigma around mental health.
One of its most recent funding rounds focused on supporting youth clubs in response to the impact of COVID-19. Many young people shared that they lack access to support close to home, reinforcing the need to strengthen local youth and community centres. By investing in these critical spaces, the Liverpool ONE Foundation helps ensure that young people have somewhere to go, something to do, and someone to talk to.
Meeting the Challenges of Today and Tomorrow
The cost-of-living crisis has significantly increased demand for mental health support, with many community organisations struggling to keep up. CFM has observed a sixfold increase in applications for some funding streams, underscoring the urgent need for continued support.
Through initiatives like the ONE More campaign, which encouraged Liverpool ONE shoppers to donate meals and gifts to those in need, the Liverpool ONE Foundation has continued to mobilise resources and raise awareness. The generosity of donors and the public has ensured that vital support reaches those who need it most.
Looking Ahead: The Next 15 Years
Liverpool ONE recently celebrated its 15-year anniversary, the Liverpool ONE Foundation looked to the future. With children’s mental health remaining a key priority, the Liverpool ONE Foundation is working with external evaluators to monitor the impact of its youth club grants. With plans to develop a best-practice toolkit, the Liverpool ONE Foundation aims to extend its reach and ensure that effective mental health support is embedded within local communities for years to come. CFM is incredibly privileged to work alongside the Liverpool ONE Foundation in this crucial mission.
As we mark Children’s Mental Health Week, we celebrate not only the achievements of the Foundation but also the resilience and strength of the young people it supports. Together, we can continue to build a brighter, healthier future for the next generation.
Working with Community Foundation for Merseyside
Donna Howitt, the Place Strategy Director at Liverpool ONE, shares how the knowledge and expertise of the Community Foundation has been crucial in helping Liverpool ONE achieve all it has over the past 15 years.