​Last night, BYHP held its 3rd Advocate Network Meeting with BYHP staff, Trustees, Volunteers and Young People welcoming a number of local supporters and interested parties to hear about BYHP, our activities in 2016 and plans for 2017.
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We were very kindly hosted by the XPO team at The Entertainer Distribution Centre in Noral Way – our thanks go to The Entertainer MD Gary Grant, Logistics Director Steve Williams and XPO Site Manager Ket Pancholi. Thanks also to Cathi at The Old Town Café in Parsons Street, Banbury, a BYHP supporter, who supplied a wonderful buffet for all of the attendees to enjoy.

​Not only was it an opportunity to update everyone about BYHP we also had two very important things to do, firstly announce BYHP’s Young Person of the Year, Vincent North and secondly to hear from, thank and welcome home the amazing Šárka Naivertová, Managing Director of Distinct Estate Agents, based at Bloxham Mill, who has recently completed a climb of Kilimanjaro in aid of BYHP, raising over £7300 in the process.

​Vincent received his trophy and certificate from the out-going holder from 2015, Luke Merriman and gave a wonderfully inspirational presentation about his journey into full time employment with Marks & Spencer.

Despite a number of challenges in his life, Vincent has always had a never-give-up attitude and part of his presentation explained this. 

It is really great that the issue of mental health is getting major coverage in the media and is being championed by the young royals, as we need to keep talking about mental illness to remove the stigma, embarrassment and fear which is often attached to it.

Let's be clear, there is no difference between having a mental illness and having a broken limb, cancer, diabetes or heart failure - all of these are conditions suffered by human beings and any of us could suffer from them at any time - we all need to understand that.

So, let's keep talking about mental illness - in fact, if you take the I from mental illness and add WE you get mental wellness and that is what it is all about.

We see mental health issues at BYHP and we are committed to providing support via counselling and person-centric support so that young people can get help as soon as possible. We'll be applying for specialist funding to support this service as demand grows.

If you feel that you need some support please contact us on counselling@byhp.org.uk or via www.byhp.org.uk/services-referral-form.html

Here is The Duke of Cambridge talking at an event with the The Guild Of Health Writers about mental health issues. #HeadsTogether