CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH WEEK BACKED BY NORTHAMPTONSHIRE HOUSEBUILDER’S BOOK DONATION

In recognition of Children’s Mental Health Week (7th – 13th February), Northamptonshire housebuilder Barratt Homes has donated a collection of books to Hayfield Cross Church of England Primary School in Kettering.

B&DWC – SGB-13750 – Lauren Mulroy and pupils of Hayfield Cross with the books donated by Barratt Homes
B&DWC – SGB-13750 – Lauren Mulroy and pupils of Hayfield Cross with the books donated by Barratt Homes

The donation included a range of books by Usborne Publishing, which aims to support children’s mental health.

Children’s Mental Health Week is an annual national event which started in 2015, organised by mental health charity, Place2Be. The awareness week highlights the importance of children and young people’s mental health.

Titles such as ‘The Unworry Book’ by Alice James, ‘All About Feelings’ by Felicity Brooks and ‘The Girl with Space in her Heart’ by Lara Williamson were among the books donated.

The school, located near the housebuilder’s Bertone Gardens development on Sulgrave Street, was delighted to receive the donation to promote positivity and encourage children to be more open about their mental health.

Lauren Mulroy, Mental Health Lead at Hayfield Cross Church of England Primary School, said: “We are currently focussing on mental health at school, so Barratt Homes’ donation came at a great time. The books make for a great addition to our school library, The Hub, and the children can’t wait to get reading them during their Hub time.”

Will Phair, Sales Director at Barratt Homes Cambridgeshire, said: “Children’s mental health will have undoubtedly been impacted by the pandemic, so it is more important than ever that we are supporting them.

“We hope that by donating books by a range of authors, children will be encouraged to consider their own mental health, and also the health of their peers in the playground and in everyday life.

“Children’s Mental Health Week is such an important initiative nationwide, that we relish the opportunity to reach out to schools within our community and provide support for such a deserving cause.”