New scheme to support young people affected by the pandemic

Published: Monday, 13th December 2021

Sevenoaks District Council is providing a new service to help young people who have been affected by the pandemic.

People aged 11 to 18 were amongst the hardest hit by COVID-19 restrictions. Some are still anxious about the future and many have missed valuable learning as well as socialising. In some cases, they are no longer taking part in activities they enjoyed before the pandemic. With more services delivered online since the start of the pandemic, some young people are being disadvantaged as they lack access to home computers or broadband.

Cllr Lesley Dyball, the Council’s Cabinet Member for People and Places, says: “It’s widely accepted this age group lost learning and development opportunities during the pandemic. Many also missed events they may never get a chance to do again such as school leaving proms, sporting competitions, work experience opportunities and more. It has also affected the mental health of many young people some of whom are feeling anxious about the future.”

“However, our new scheme will give young people the chance to talk about their feelings and provide them with the tools to help them overcome their issues and concerns.”

Any young person can join and, once in the scheme, they will be linked with a youth hub and paired with a mentor to support them.

Access to mental health support is available together with funding to encourage young people to try something new or go back to something they used to enjoy before the pandemic.

At the end of the project, the participants will have an opportunity to share their achievements and skills with others.

To put a young person forward for the scheme, visit www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/covidsupport.

The scheme is funded by a grant from Kent County Council.