Leading housebuilder Barratt Homes has donated £1,000 from its Community Fund scheme to Your Emotional Support Services (YESS), which provides a support network for adults, young people and children in Staffordshire.

Based in Uttoxeter, YESS will use the funding from the developer to continue to provide a fortnightly drop-in service for anyone requiring support and a friendly place to visit.

The charity aims to provide support for people within the county to have access to help with mental and emotional health issues such as anxiety, anger, low self-esteem, depression, self-harm and suicidal ideation.

Julie Bird, CEO at YESS, said: “During these difficult times the need for emotional support has been more prevalent than ever. With statutory services feeling overwhelmed by demand, the need to have easy access to support is more important.

“Since the pandemic we have seen an increase in demand for our services and what we want to do is provide early support initially helping to reduce isolation and hopefully prevent escalation of presenting issues.

“Charities like YESS are struggling to find much needed funding to help us help others. There is no funding for additional things such as the rise in amenities, decoration, core funding needs and, we are reliant on donations and fundraising activities – all of which have been harder during and following the pandemic.”

YESS was quick to react to the effects of the pandemic and all of its services had to have a flexible approach and were offered online, which included counselling sessions and group work.

The charity was founded in 2011 and now offers counselling and mental health support, training, group work and clinical supervision.

For six years, it held the contract to deliver emotional wellbeing from Staffordshire County Council and delivered support to over 6,000 individuals.

Its team of therapists are all highly skilled in differing methods and offer a range of therapies including art therapy, dance movement therapy and person-centred therapy and systemic family work.

Adrian Evans, Managing Director at Barratt Homes West Midlands, said: “When we heard about the fantastic efforts of YESS and all it does to enhance the wellbeing of individuals in Staffordshire, we were inspired by its commitment to helping people and knew we wanted to provide support.

“Our Community Fund scheme allows us to help organisations such as this in the areas in and around our developments and it is vital that we work closely with local people to see how we can best help them.”

For more information on how to donate to YESS or to find out more about the support options available, email hello@yess.uk or visit the website at https://www.yess.uk/.

For further information about Barratt Homes, which is building nearby at Poppy Fields, Bertelin Fields, Deer’s Rise, Dunstall Park and Fradley Manor, please call the sales team on 0333 355 8475.