A social enterprise is continuing to help young people amid the effects of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, following a boost from a Bradford fund.
Horsforth-based Flourished Minds has been awarded £10,000 from the Manjit Wolstenholme Fund, aiming to help more young people in Bradford and Leeds overcome barriers.
Karen Cruise, founder of Flourished Minds, knows first-hand how easy it is for young people to slip through the net.
Karen, who grew up in Chapeltown in Leeds, left school with no GCSEs, with her love of subjects such as English often “overlooked” by teachers.
“We see a lot of children who think they have nothing to offer,” said Karen, 59.
“There are some really unhappy kids, who then go and isolate themselves further.
“We don’t judge or criticise teachers, we just try to build positive relationships with kids and find their talents.”
Flourished Minds supports students from primary to university and works closely with three Bradford schools – Carrwood Primary School in Holme Wood, Beckfoot Heaton and Beckfoot Allerton.
Manjit Wolstenholme was the first female chair of Bradford-based Provident Financial Group.
She passed away in 2017, at the age of just 53, and the fund was set up in her honour.
Karen, who has a Bachelor of Arts degree and re-sat her GCSEs at 52, said: “Money is tight within schools, so this funding is massive.
“Teachers want to help children, but there are a lot of demands on them, and they may not have the time to do that extra bit – our work compliments that.”
Karen added that Flourished Minds’ work is particularly relevant in places like Bradford.
“In these areas, it’s easy to feel like you’re left behind,” she said.
“You might have to work harder and be a bit braver – but opportunities are there.
“There’s a lot of anxiety and self-doubt, and it doesn’t help when mental health waiting lists are getting longer.
“Things like social media also have an impact – if children don’t get likes, they don’t feel worthy, or they compare their lives to others’.
“We’re not mental health specialists but if we can help early doors, that’s massive. Children need to feel worthy.
“It might sound cheesy but knowing you’ve made a difference is amazing – children in Bradford have some great ideas if they’re listened to and taken seriously.”
For more information, visit https://flourishedminds.co.uk/
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