On Saturday 11 February, as part of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, the Community Engagement Team held a Valentine’s Day event at Grays Shopping Centre in Thurrock. Kids Inspire invited local children & families to learn about the charity and craft a card for someone they care about.

It was a lovely morning, with around 30 children joining. They got, quite literally, stuck in crafting with glue, feathers, glitter and coloured pom poms. You can just imagine the clean up afterwards! This event served as a reminder that simple, but messy art activities, such as creating cards, are extremely beneficial for children’s mental health. This is why at Kids Inspire, creative play is often an integral part of therapy sessions.

An Expert by Experience

We were also fortunate to have 14-year old Joseph, one of our Voice Forum members on hand. He inspired residents of the Thurrock community by speaking about his own mental health journey, and the impact the support from Kids Inspire has had on him.

A Need for Support in Thurrock

From speaking with members of the community in Grays, the Community Engagement Team recognised that there is significant need to support Thurrock’s children and adolescents with their mental health. To reach adolescents in Thurrock, we are hoping to set up The Voice Forum in Grays later this year. We are continually searching for grant opportunities that can fund this support. 

Special Thanks

Thanks to the Riverside Community Big Local for allowing us the use of the community hub in the shopping centre. What an incredible community asset in the heart of Grays!

Want to volunteer?

Are you a Thurrock community resident? Would you like to volunteer your time to help us start up The Voice Forum for the adolescents of Thurrock? If so, then please get in touch as your input and local knowledge would be invaluable to us! You can contact Jane at communityengagement@kidsinspire.org.uk.

Jane Bridgman-Smith, Community Engagement Assistant