The Pilgrim Trust has announced that ten charities in Manchester and Northern Ireland are to share just under £900,000 in funding to support the mental health of young women, aged 16 to 25.

The funding aims to increase their access to age and gender specific mental health provision and recognises “the particular needs young women experience that are often neglected in current” services.

Each charity will receive funding of up to £30,000 annually, for three years through the Trust’s Young Women and Mental Health PLUS (YWMHPlus) programme.

This is the first round of funding from a £5m commitment for the programme by the Trust over the next five years.

“I am delighted to announce our first round of grants which will help increase the provision of tailored mental health support for young women,” said Trust director Sue Bowers.

“There is growing recognition that mental health issues affect young women differently, but there is currently a shortage of age and gender appropriate mental health services for them.

“The lack of integrated mental health care systems also means that it is harder for 16-25 year olds to receive the service that they need at a time in their lives when they may need it most.

“The Pilgrim Trust’s five-year Young Women and Mental Health Plus programme aims to help address this issue through funding, sharing best practice and learning, and advocacy.”

Among charities to benefit is Manchester Action on Street Health (MASH), which supports sex workers through promoting mental health and safety. It has received £89,845 to increase support for women who are sex working and have mental health needs.

“This vital funding means we can offer our specialist, one-to-one support early in their lives,” said MASH chief executive Annie Emery.

“It will mean more women can access support to be well, to thrive and have more open to them.”

Another is Northern Ireland based Parent Rooms, which supports young mums. It is using its £89,807 grant to create a young mums’ key worker role to help with mental health difficulties.

Meanwhile, Manchester based theatre and arts charity Odd Arts, is using its £89,951 to use therapeutic programmes, performances and discussions to help the mental health of young women.

The charity’s chief executive Rebecca Friel said the funding “is a real game changer.”

“We will be able to offer long term, innovative and truly trauma informed theatre and creative experiences for young women who have been disproportionately affected by inequalities and discrimination,” she added.

Other charities to benefit are: Stockport Women’s Centre, Lighthouse, Asian Development Association Bury, Altrincham Counselling and Family Centre, M13 Youth Project, Falls Women’s Centre and The Northern Ireland Youth Forum.

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