Platform for Life, a Chester charity which offers free mental health and wellbeing services continues to go from strength to strength as the need for its services has dramatically risen.

Over the past three years that has been a dramatic increase in the need for the assistance as more people than ever need help with poor mental health and services are struggling.

As Platform for Life expanded to meet demand, it meant there was an increase in running costs and they received no statutory funding at all.

The good cause was awarded £10,000 from Severn Trent’s Community Fund in December 2022, to contribute to their staff costs so that they can keep delivering the help to those who need it. 

Ceri George, CEO of Platform for Life, said: “Good mental health is the foundation of a happy and healthy life, yet many families struggle to access the help and support they need to achieve it. 

“Platform for Life offers free local counselling and play therapy for families who would otherwise not be able to afford it. As well as taking referrals from GPs, health visitors and schools, they also accept self-referrals or referrals from family members of someone who may be struggling.

“We have seen a huge rise in the need for our services over the past few years and as we have worked hard to expand and provide more support, but that meant an increase in costs and demands on staffing, so Severn Trent’s Community Fund grant was a huge help, and we are so grateful.”

Launched in 2017, Platform for Life offers free, accessible, community based mental health and wellbeing services to low-income families in Blacon, Kingsway and Lache, three communities that fall within the ten per cent most deprived areas of the country.  

Their focus is on strengthening family relationships and creating more stable and nurturing environments for children through a holistic and tailored approach.

The hope now is that Platform for Life can expand further to provide services for the whole of Chester and support even more people.

A testimonial from a parent whose child used the service said: “I cannot put into words how truly grateful we are for the time, patience and kindness they have shown my child. My child struggles to make relationships with people away from their comfort zone but from the offset I knew they were comfortable working alongside their therapist. The sessions have been amazing.”

Jade Gough, Severn Trent Community Fund Officer, added: “The support that Platform for Life provides working with the Chester community has changed lives and helped so many people already. 

“We are thrilled that our core funding grant helped to cover some of their costs and not only thrive but grow and provide more support for those who need it. We hope they get to fulfil their ambitions of increasing the support further and helping even more people in the Chester area.

“We are always looking for more new local projects in the regions in which we work which would benefit from grant funding and encourage anyone who may be interested in finding out more about our Community Fund to get in touch.”    

For more information on the Severn Trent Community Fund and to find out how to make an application visit stwater.co.uk and search for Community Fund.