CHARITY IN ‘URGENT’ FUNDING APPEAL
25 July 2014
A children’s charity has launched an “urgent” appeal for funds to help childhood and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).
Manchester-based MedEquip4Kids needs more than £22,000 to buy equipment not available from NHS resources.
It will use the money to help mental health teams working with children affected by conditions such as autism, ADHD, depression, eating disorders and self-harm.
According to MedEquip4Kids, childhood mental health services in the UK are desperately underfunded and many CAMHS teams have no budget for resources, toys or reference materials.
The charity has accepted 34 applications from CAMHS services across the UK this summer. Items requested include reference books for parents, picture books for children, stress toys and games, mood cards to help with communication, and diagnostic kits for staff.
Ghazala Baig, chief executive of MedEquip4Kids, said: “With so many children and young people experiencing mental health problems, there is an urgent need for additional support of mental health services.
“The resources we fund are really going to benefit children and their families.”
The charity has funded CAMHS services in Stockport and Blackpool as part of a pilot project.
David Eaton, CAMHS service manager at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The equipment and resources will help in making a difference in how children and young people can access and use the therapeutic interventions we offer.
“It will help them to manage and hopefully resolve their issues and symptoms.”
For more information or to donate to the appeal, visit www.medequip4kids.org.uk.
Credit : PRESS ASSOCIATION Daily Mail News: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-2705767/CHARITY-IN-URGENT-FUNDING-APPEAL.html#ixzz38hVjvtUy