A Liverpool company is reaching out to young people during Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 (Monday 18th to Sunday 24th May) by encouraging them to log on to a new virtual platform designed to reduce feelings of loneliness and anxiety.
Chanua Ltd provides programmes for young people, including Neuro Champions, which uses games and technology to teach young people about how their brains work.
Its latest innovation is Neuro Love, an online platform created to help young people in care to manage anxiety and low mood while staying connected socially during the Covid19 outbreak and beyond.
It is suitable for all youngsters from age eight to 25 to stay emotionally and physically well and Chanua Ltd invites all young people to use it.
The https://neurolove.org/ website features a wealth of free resources and self-care tips to help youngsters manage their physical and mental health and prevent them from becoming bored and lonely during lockdown.
They can get creative in an online art workshop, try a yoga or dance class at home, learn how to relax and sleep better, manage anxiety or pick up some ideas of fun things to do during lockdown.
And they can have a live chat with a mentor online or book a free session with a qualified social therapist – from 9am to 8pm, seven days a week.
A 17-year-old user commented: “It’s nice to have someone to fall back and call when you are feeling alone.”
Chanua Ltd secured funding from the NHSX TechForce19 Challenge to launch Neuro Love.
NHSX challenged businesses to develop digital innovations to help vulnerable and isolated people at home during the coronavirus outbreak and Chanua was one of 18 selected from more than 1,600 businesses throughout the UK.
Chanua received £25,000 plus support from the Innovation Agency, the Academic Health Science Network for the North West Coast, to launch the new website and has been working closely with Liverpool City Council Virtual Schools Head and Targeted Services for Young People Team to launch the new platform.
Chanua Chief Executive, Naomi Mwasambili, said: “Young people in care are often not provided the support and love they need and deserve. Some staff work tirelessly to provide them with the nurturing they deserve but often this can fall short.
“Pre-lockdown, we started working on a solution to support isolated young people who are living in care or being supported by a child protection plan – and the funding from Techforce19 has accelerated its development.
“We are delighted to have to opportunity to create something which will have a positive impact on young people and help them during these difficult times when they may feel anxious and isolated.
“This is especially poignant during Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 and we encourage young people to connect virtually and stay physically and mentally well.”
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