Thousands of pounds to be pumped into Dewsbury mental health support scheme

The money, totalling £627,368, has been made available via Kirklees Council’s Place Partnership initiative.

The authority has £1m in full to spend across the borough. The cash will be allocated towards improving mental health awareness, supporting schoolchildren who are suffering from mental health-related issues during the coronavirus pandemic, and for related matters such as a two-year pilot for women experiencing the menopause.

The funding is expected to be approved at a meeting of the council’s decision-making Cabinet on November 18.

In Dewsbury East, Dewsbury West, and Dewsbury South (£142,857) a 12-month pilot project will be commissioned to provide a programme of workshops, mental health support sessions and activities to raise awareness of positive mental health and well-being interventions.

Local greenspaces will also be improved, and £30,000 will be given towards a 367m-long “walking path” in Holroyd Park.

Six areas across the borough – Batley, Birstall and Birkenshaw, Colne Valley, Huddersfield Central, Huddersfield North, Huddersfield Rural, and Spen Valley – will receive a share of £93,270.

In total 21 wards will benefit. The cash will go towards the training of “champions” who will deliver mental health first aid training to community providers/groups.

In Batley East, Batley West, and Birstall and Birkenshaw (£82,261) carers’ support sessions will be set up to help reduce feelings of loneliness and social isolation, develop new friendships and informal networks of support, and gain the skills needed to better manage the issues they face.

The area will also get a further £40,000 to support children and young people via a range of low-level intervention and prevention activities to promote

good mental health.