Liverpool ONE Foundation boosts mental health organisations across the region with over £290K

Liverpool ONE Foundation has granted 12 organisations working on mental health projects across Liverpool City Region with £297,997 worth of funding over the next two years.

Since its inception in 2009, the Liverpool ONE Foundation has awarded a total of 440 grants worth more than £3.8 million to help enhance the mental health of young people across Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. 

From sleep improvement projects and art workshops to counselling services and activities to develop girl’s confidence; grants from the Liverpool ONE Foundation help to fund projects that support young people’s mental health and wellbeing.

Following a careful consideration of applications, among those chosen to receive funding this year is Comics Youth CIC, a creative community organisation led by young people, for young people, with the aim of empowering youth across Merseyside to flourish from the margins of society. 

Rhiannon Griffiths, Co-founder of Comics Youth CIC, said:

“We are so grateful to have been selected to receive a grant from the Liverpool ONE Foundation. This funding will help us deliver our Turn the Page programme, which offers one-to-one creative support for marginalised young people aged eight to 25 who feel anxious in groups, struggle to access mainstream services, or see themselves as outsiders. Through Turn the Page, we encourage young people to harness their own narratives, find confidence within an inclusive community, and develop the resilience to succeed on their own path. 

“Our services are designed to support and amplify the often-diminished voices of marginalised youth through social campaigns and creative activities, including zine creation and comic book workshops. 

“We are ecstatic that our commitment to discovering, distributing, and elevating the voices of young people has been recognised and supported by the Liverpool ONE Foundation, and we look forward to using this grant to provide proactive and reactive mental health support to young people across Merseyside through art and comics.” 

The full list of successful applicants from this year include: 

• Girls Friendly Society, Refugee Women Connect, The Bobby Colleran Trust and Beautiful New Beginnings in Liverpool  
• Sean Bailey Wellness CIC in Halton  
• Evolving Mindset CIC in Knowsley  
• Mind Balance Solutions CIC, RASA Merseyside and SWAN Women’s Centre in Sefton 
• Home Start St Helens  
• Community Capacity Builders and Comics Youth CIC in Wirral

Donna Howitt, Place Strategy Director for Liverpool ONE, said:

“Supporting young people in our region is central to the values of Liverpool ONE. We pride ourselves on keeping culture and communities at the heart of our social impact initiatives and annual event programme.  

“The work of the organisations awarded Liverpool ONE Foundation grants is making a real impact in the Liverpool City Region. These grants reflect our continued commitment to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing, allowing us to connect and support our community.” 

Rae Brooke, Chief Executive of the Community Foundation for Merseyside, said:

“Liverpool ONE is committed to improving young people’s mental health and wellbeing across our Liverpool City Region. Since 2009, we’ve worked in partnership to distribute over £3.8 million in funding to local grassroots organisations. 

“As one of our largest corporate donors, Liverpool ONE are a leading example of how a business can support its community through place-based giving. This year the Liverpool ONE Foundation grants will continue to strengthen that focus, backing a wide range of projects.” 

The Liverpool ONE Foundation is part of Liverpool ONE’s commitment to contribute to support local communities. 

The organisations awarded this year join groups across the region who were granted a two-year grant in 2024 including Growing Sudley CIC, Home Start Knowsley, Next Chapter NW CIC, Open Door Charity, Pure Insight 1628, Shy Lowen, The First Step (Knowsley Domestic Violence Support Services) and UK Unplugged CIC. 

For further information about the Liverpool ONE Foundation, visit their website.

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