Ely-based Science and engineering firm PST - Michell Instruments has extended a partnership with local charities Centre 33 and Blue Smile for a second year, raising funds to support children and young people’s mental health in Cambridgeshire.
The team at the sensor and instrumentation manufacturing firm raised nearly £6000 for the two charities in 2023, carrying out a wide range of fundraising events ranging from bake sales for the team and a golf day.
Jim Macfarlane, Chief Executive Officer at PST - Michell Instruments explains that, as well as raising vital funds, working with the two local charities has had significant benefits for his team:
“Supporting our nominated charities aligns closely with PST Group core values of collaboration & inclusivity. This reflects the company’s commitment to making a positive impact in the communities local to PST. It was PST – Michell employees who elected our two charities, because they wanted to contribute towards meaningful causes that foster social responsibility and empower positive change particularly for young people. We have found that our charity events have strengthened our workplace culture to be fun, inclusive, team building events and through these many purposeful initiatives we can contribute towards improving the lives of those in need as well as those who take part...”
Anne Kent-Taylor, Charity Director at Blue Smile, welcomed the continued partnership:
“We’re so grateful for this ongoing support from Michell Instruments and it has been great to see how many of their team have been involved in raising funds and awareness, in a really wide range of ways. Their support for Blue Smile and Centre 33 will make a big difference for children and young people from 3 to 25 years – but it’s also great to hear how the partnership has been beneficial for the Michell Instruments team. We’re looking forward to our continued partnership in 2024.”
Nancy Hogg, Fundraising Officer at Centre 33, says:
“Last year, Centre 33 worked closely with nearly 4,000 young people across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, supporting them with their mental health, caring responsibilities, housing and more. But the number of enquiries we received from young people was up a third on the previous year. We are so grateful to Michell Instruments for choosing to extend our partnership for another year to enable us to support more young people – the fundraising they have been doing on behalf of Centre 33 and Blue Smile is truly amazing.”
1 in 5 children in England have a probable mental health disorder, according to latest NHS figures, up from 1 in 8 in 2017. That’s equivalent to 6 children in every school class. When children are dealing with issues like anxiety or low mood, prompt effective support is vital to help them cope and prevent problems worsening – otherwise the impact on their education, development and long-term wellbeing can be devastating. Half of mental health conditions in adults start before the age of 14 and 75% before the age of 24.
Blue Smile provides specialist, arts-based mental health support to children aged 3-13 in Cambridgeshire schools, helping them process difficult experiences and feelings so they can enjoy happier childhoods and build brighter futures. Founded in 2010, the charity supported over 400 children in 30 schools across the county in 2022-3.
Centre 33 is a charity supporting people up to the age of 25 across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough with their practical and emotional needs. Founded over 40 years ago, Centre 33 services are free, confidential, and drop-in support is available without appointment. Any young person who wants to speak with Centre 33 in confidence can call, text, message, email or just drop-in.
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