A £4,000 grant from the Qualis Community Benefits Fund is helping local charity Talk2Nish Peer Mentors expand its mental health support for young people across Epping and surrounding areas.
The charity works with secondary schools to train sixth form students, alongside an adult coordinator, to become peer mentors for younger pupils. These mentors provide support to fellow students dealing with everyday challenges such as exam stress, bullying, friendship difficulties, and settling into school life.
The funding will cover four additional rounds of mentor training, with each session costing £1,000.
Founded and coordinated by Mandy Garner, Talk2Nish Peer Mentors aims to equip young people with valuable listening, leadership, and confidence-building skills.
“Our aim is to build the active listening and leadership skills of our young mentors and build the confidence of mentees who are facing everyday challenges,” said Mandy.
Each school programme supports around 50 students, with benefits extending beyond the mentoring sessions themselves. Mentors also lead assemblies and activities that raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing across the wider school community.
Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. Many mentors say the experience has helped them manage their own family and friendship challenges more effectively, while also developing skills that will benefit them in the future.
By investing in peer-led support, the programme is helping create more open conversations around mental health and giving young people the tools to support one another both in and outside the classroom.
To find out more about the charity, visit Talk2Nish.com.
