A charity founded in honour of a young Derbyshire student aimed at suicide prevention has been backed by a local housebuilder.
The Will Garvey Trust Foundation, set up by Will’s parents Joanna and Kevan after their son died at just 20, aims to show young people a different path to take by talking through any issues they’re facing.
Derbyshire housebuilder, Miller Homes East Midlands, has provided £1,000 to boost the charity in its efforts to support young people across the county and beyond.
The foundation has created the ‘WTF!’ – Why Talking Fixes – campaign to promote healthy communication and take the stigma away from difficult conversations which could lead to serious consequences.
Its fundraising events – including the annual WillFest festival – help train their volunteers and provide support for the foundation to attend events and create workshops and learning materials for the benefit of other young people across Derbyshire and further afield to understand more about suicide and mental health.
Joanna Garvey, CEO of Will Garvey Trust, said: “The Will Garvey Trust Foundation is absolutely thrilled to receive the donation from Miller Homes. It is the support of organisations such as this that enables us to continue delivering our projects, reaching greater numbers of young people who are going through very difficult times.
“This donation specifically will provide 20 care packs, and based on previous recipient feedback, have made them feel less alone, and cared for. We can be certain that this donation will change lives.”
Miller Homes, based in Derby and currently building new homes at developments in Allestree and Mackworth within the county, has backed the foundation via its Community Fund initiative.
The bi-annual project helps community groups and people across areas in which the developer is based, or building new homes, with financial support to the tune of £10,000 per year.
Emma Weston, sales director of Miller Homes East Midlands, said: “Mental health remains high on everybody’s agenda, so after we heard about the work being achieved by Will Garvey Trust we were only too pleased to help them with support through our Community Fund programme.
“Stories about suicide and particularly young people experiencing incredibly difficult challenges continue to happen all too often, which is desperately saddening.
“We’re very committed in our support for the team at Will Garvey Trust and look on with admiration and pride at the work they’re continuing to deliver for young people across Derbyshire and beyond.”
