Eighty people participated in the Together in Horsham webinar from the comfort of their own homes. The online event, which was celebrated as an evening of hope and positivity, enabled the communities of Horsham and surrounding villages to come together and hear from school, church and community leaders about how collectively every vulnerable child and family that needs expert support may be reached.
The exciting partnership between the Horsham Schools Partnership, the West Horsham Schools Network, Horsham Churches Together and Fegans will result in additional BACP-qualified counselling in schools from next half term.
Speakers were: Dr Tim Fooks, High Sheriff of West Sussex, Trevor Cristin, Diocese of Chichester Director of Education, Horsham headteachers, Susan Costa (All Saint’s CE Primary School) and Alex Bird (St Mary’s CE Primary School), Fegans CEO, Ian Soars, and Head of Partnerships, Tia Barham, and Clive Urquhart, Moderator of Horsham Churches Together.
Dr Tim Fooks reminded the audience that 1 in 8 children have a diagnosable mental health disorder (Public Health England, 2018). He commended the project, commenting that it was a good way of supporting communities to ensure they are strong and thriving.
Trevor Cristin welcomed the trailblazing project in the Diocese of Chichester, commenting that the project is a fantastic example of really good partnership and proactive working, which he would like to see expanded across West Sussex. Susan Costa and Alex Bird, who initiated the project, celebrated the launch of Together in Horsham which will help many children and young people in schools across Horsham and surrounding villages.
Ian Soars shared that the ambitious Together in Horsham project is designed to help children who are facing issues which are new to this era. He introduced a young child actor who told a real-life story of someone who had been helped by a Fegans counsellor, followed by a lively questions and answers session with the panel.
Clive Urquhart explained the churches’ involvement in the project and that it was a way of churches reaching out in a practical way to support the mental health of children in their communities. He invited the community to partner in the project prayerfully and by contributing funds. The project is half funded by Government Emergency Covid funds, with schools in Horsham funding one quarter, and churches and the community fundraising the remaining quarter.
To donate, please use Virgin Money Giving and Gift Aid if possible: Donate to Together in Horsham
To watch the webinar, just click ‘play’ below:
