Co-op goes BIG for Barnardo’s this Mental Health Awareness Week

The events of the last few years have left two fifths (41%) of young people worried about their mental wellbeing, while 42% worry about how their parents/carers are coping with the cost of living.

The cost of living and long-term effects of the pandemic have an impact on the decisions that young people are having to make day-to-day when it comes to basic needs, aspirations for their future, and mental wellbeing.

New research launched today (12 May) by Co-op and Barnardo’s, the UK’s largest children’s charity, has found that basic needs, such as having enough money to pay for food, have become aspirational for many young people, with one in three (35%) accessing food support in the last six months.

With your help, we want to raise £5m for our partnership with Barnardo’s to support 750,000 young people to access basic needs like food, manage their mental wellbeing and take advantage of opportunities for their future.

Our partnership will deliver in depth support in the communities that need it most. Plus, we’ll be developing online resources and support to reach as many young people as possible – all co-produced with young people.

Go Big for Barnardo’s:

During Mental Health Awareness Week (15^th – 21^st May), colleagues across Co-op are bringing communities together to take part in different fundraising activities from car washes through to coffee mornings to help raise funds. However, there’s no need to wait until then to help, you can make a donation instore at till or online here.

Creating fairer futures for young people

We’re excited to be to working with Barnardo’s as the partnership builds on our ongoing activity to help young people prioritise immediate needs but also achieve long term goals, including through the Peer Action Collective that give young people a voice, our work supporting apprenticeships and our 30 Co-op Academy schools educating over 18,500 young people across the North West, Yorkshire and Staffordshire, as well as our partnership with Mind, SAMH and Inspire to support people’s mental wellbeing.

Where you and others can get help

If you or someone you know needs support or to find out more about the partnership, visit coop.co.uk/SupportYoungPeople 

Mental wellbeing affects everyone. If you need support call:,

• Mind (England and Wales) – 0300 123 3393
• SAMH (Scotland) – 0344 800 0550
• Inspire (Northern Ireland) – 0289 032 8474
• Young Minds – 020 7089 5050.
• Text ‘SHOUT’ for support anytime, anywhere, to 85258

Co-op and Barnardo’s  are bringing communities together to support young people.

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