Greg met up with members of the Weald Family Hub today, to discuss their work in helping to tackle mental illness in young people in the Wealden community. 

The organisation, which was founded by members of the Goudhurst and Kilndown church community in June last year, has fostered close ties with individuals and schools throughout the Kentish Weald, as well as other charitable organisations such as Fegans and BEAT.

It aims to provide 1:1 counselling to pupils in twelve local Primary and Secondary Schools and to offer support to local families and parents. 

Currently incorporated within Goudhurst St Mary’s Church, its work is overseen by Hub Co-ordinator Louise Vickerman and Rev Hugh Nelson.

Speaking at the meeting, Greg said: "It is great to hear the progress that you have made at the Weald Family Hub in the last year and that you have such an innovative and dependable model that is making a real impact in so many schools, the work you are doing has an extensive reach already.

"I am encouraged that initiatives like the Weald Family Hub are addressing mental health needs and are operating in the heart of the community. You are playing a critical role in bridging the gap in the existing mental health provision to ensure pupils receive the mental health support they deserve. I look forward to hearing how the work of the Weald Family Hub grows in the future."

Commenting after the event, Ms Vickerman said: "We were very pleased to be given the opportunity to talk to Greg Clark, MP for Tunbridge Wells, about the work we are doing at The Hub. It is fortuitous that we are sat in the constituency of someone who is such a massive advocate for mental health and who has campaigned hard for improvements to children and adolescent mental health services in West Kent.

"Greg encouraged us to be bolder raising awareness of our work and also gave us some direction on statutory funding opportunities we could apply for."