Mental Health Awareness Week: Supporting Young People Through the Porch Project

For today's look at Mental Health Awareness Week, we want to highlight a local organisation doing vital work to support the wellbeing of young people in our community.

At our recent woodland walk in Raydon Great Wood, we were delighted to raise £88.50 in donations for the Porch Project.  While visitors came to enjoy the woodland, the event also gave us the opportunity to support a charity working with local young people.  Thank you everyone who donated so generously.

Based just down the road from us on the High Street in Hadleigh, the Porch Project provides a safe and welcoming space for young people aged 11 to 18 outside school hours. Their youth centre offers somewhere to socialise, build confidence, learn new skills and feel supported.  Alongside drop-in sessions, the team also works within local schools, providing mentoring and wellbeing support to young people who may be struggling with anxiety, isolation, confidence or difficult circumstances at home or in school.

What makes the Porch Project especially important is its focus on connection and belonging. Sometimes having a trusted adult to talk to, a safe place to spend time or the chance to take part in positive activities can make a huge difference to a young person’s mental wellbeing. Through mentoring, neurodiverse support and group activities, the project helps young people feel heard, valued and less alone.

The Porch Project became part of the Inspire Suffolk charity in 2023, which is dedicated to

helping young people across the county improve their wellbeing, raise aspirations and build brighter futures. Inspire supports thousands of young people each year through wellbeing programmes, employability support, sports activities and personal development opportunities.  You can find out more through Inspire Charity UK. 

If you would like to support the Porch Project’s work, there are many ways to get involved. Donations are always welcome, but local people and businesses can also help by fundraising, volunteering, attending events or simply spreading awareness of the services available.

Heathpatch is a business rooted in the local community and Mental Health Awareness Week is a reminder that wellbeing is everyone’s responsibility. Supporting local charities like the Porch Project is one small way we can help strengthen the networks and safe spaces that so many young people rely upon.