Rhys Jones Community Centre in Croxteth Park needs your support to secure vital funding

Rhys Jones Community Centre, a not-for-profit Centre set up after the brutal murder of schoolboy Rhys Jones in Croxteth Park, is calling for the support of the local community to help win funding as part of the Aviva Community Fund 2018.

Rhys Jones Community Centre is relying on votes to increase their chances of winning funding of up to £25,000 which they hope will expand the Croxteth Healthy Minds and Listening Service. Only projects with the most votes will become finalists, so additional support is vital.

The Croxteth Healthy Minds and Listening Service will provide young people from 9 to 19 years of age with access to positive support facilities and networks to help with mental health issues. Currently, the Rhys Jones Community Centre works with 4-6 young people per week with a range of mental health issues from anxiety and depression to self-harm to suicidal thoughts. We want to expand our service to reach more young people.

Karen Harper, Director and Centre Manager from Rhys Jones Community Centre says: “58% of young people between 10 and 19 years old in Croxteth are classed as living in poverty, and with this comes the associated mental health problems and sense of isolation. Our Croxteth Healthy Minds project aims to reach these young people and provide real practical support and networks so young people can achieve their aspirations in life.”

Sharon Jardine, Director and Compliancy Officer of Rhys Jones Community Centre says: “Young people today face a huge range of pressures from stress at school and bullying through to problems growing up in poverty. Sadly, young people struggle to access mental health services until their mental ill-health becomes severely critical. Croxteth Healthy Minds aims to help young people before their mental ill-health deteriorates to that critical point.”

To get behind Rhys Jones Community Centre and help make a difference in your local community, visit https://community-fund.aviva.co.uk/voting/project/view/4-1889 and submit your vote before 20th November 2018.

For more information on Rhys Jones Community Centre’s Croxteth Healthy Minds and Listening Service, visit https://rhysjonescommunitycentre.org.uk/croxteth-healthy-minds-service or https://www.facebook.com/CroxtethHealthyMinds

Media Enquiries – For more information please contact:
Karen Harper, Centre Manager
Rhys Jones Community Centre, 3 Langley Close, Croxteth Park, Liverpool L12 0NB
Tel: 0151 548 1945

Notes to editors:
About Rhys Jones Community Centre
The Rhys Jones Community Centre opened in August 2013 as a lasting legacy to Rhys Jones who was tragically murdered when on his way home from football practice. The Centre works with children and families in the local Croxteth Park area on issues that impact on their life chances and employability for the future. We support families in the local community, bring the community together and support community cohesion and a focal point for all. Our Mission is to – Raise Aspirations, Raise Hope and Community Unity
For more information visit rhysjonescommunitycentre.org.uk and facebook.com/RhysJonesCommunityCentreLiverpool

About the Aviva Community Fund
The Aviva Community Fund is an initiative that lends a helping hand to local communities by offering support and funding for inspirational local causes. For more information visit aviva.co.uk/community-fund