A West Yorkshire charity which uses the power of climbing to support mental health and wellbeing, reports having a “game-changing positive impact” on children with depression and suicidal tendencies over the past year.
ROKT Foundation, the CIO with charitable purpose, based in Brighouse, has published its annual report looking back at the past 12 months as well as its plan for the future in the short to medium term.
The organisation delivers adventure-based sessions to those who would not normally have access, to help promote inclusion and improve physical and mental health and well-being, working alongside partner agencies.
It received funding through a small suicide prevention grant from West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership (WY HCP) via Calderdale Council's suicide prevention action group.
ROKT's annual report states that in 2021, the foundation engaged 1,157 people, 429 children from 25 school sand 75 children with additional needs.
Working alongside Invictus Wellbeing charity, ROKT reports having had a “game-changing positive impact on the mental health of more than 100 kids, ranging from those suffering from depression to suicidal tendencies” over the past year.
The report says four of the schools ROKT has worked with specialise in childhood trauma and behavioural problems and a further three have sent young people from pupil referral units.
The foundation has also supported 18 young people referred from the police early intervention team – some of whom have been victims of crime, trauma and abuse.
In its longer-term vision, ROKT pledges to develop new partnerships across West Yorkshire, upskill staff further, continue to attend local steering groups and boards that advocate for improved mental health, increase its work with schools and gather more evidence to make the argument for commissioning longer-term, third sector interventions like itself in support for mental health.