The Lancaster Prop Up Project offers free weekly creative wellbeing sessions for 13–19 year olds who experience mental health challenges, social anxiety, or neurodiversity. Taking place in Lancaster between July 2026 – July 2027, we’re creating a calm, welcoming space for young people who often can’t access or don’t feel they ‘fit in’ in mainstream groups. Through drama & art activities (role play, drawing, and craft making), we help young people understand their wellbeing, build coping strategies like distraction boxes, and gently practise life skills at their own pace. Activities are chosen by the young people, ensuring they feel valued & take ownership. Your support will enable our team to guide young people to build creative personalised wellbeing toolkits that improves confidence, friendships, and resilience empowering young people to thrive independently. One participant shared “I could be myself here… I made friends for the first time. Prop Up gave me focus when I had nothing."

What we'll deliver:

• Weekly 2hour creative wellbeing sessions in Lancaster for young people aged 13–19.
• Small, calm groups of 10–12 participants with no waiting lists.
• A programme of creative activities: drama & art based including role play, drawing, painting, collage, and craft-making.
• Young people create personalised wellbeing toolkits; including distraction boxes and “All About Me” books.
• Youth led planning sessions to develop future creative & wellbeing activities.
• Volunteering opportunities for young people who have finished the programme to enable peer support.
• Sessions are delivered by a trained facilitator with experienced volunteers for successful engagement of young people.
• A safe, consistent environment where young people can be themselves, practising skills like speaking in groups.

Why it's a great idea:

Our Referrals have increased by 106% in five years, demonstrating need for our groups. The Prop Up Project will improve the Lancaster area by giving young people a safe space to build confidence, friendships, and resilience at a time when there is a significant rise in young people out of education due to mental health. Strong networks with education, local authority & NHS mental health services highlight specialist services are overstretched, with long waits. Previous outcomes show 90% improved problem solving, 100% felt closer to others, and 80% felt less alone. Young people increase social connections, understand their emotional health and neurodiversity, and build personalised coping tools e.g. “All About Me” wellbeing books. They grow in confidence, reduce avoidance, and feel motivated to re engage with education, volunteering, and community life. Participants say: “I now feel comfortable to go out on my own”, “I feel listened to and can go at my own pace”.

Steps to get it done:

• Volunteer Recruitment (Month 1): Confirm volunteers, recruit as needed, and deliver training e.g safeguarding.
• Secure Venue (Month 1): Confirm and book venue for the full project period, completing all checks.
• Session Planning (Month 1 & Ongoing): Co design sessions regularly with young people and volunteers; prepare materials.
• Promotion & Outreach (Month 1 & Ongoing): Promote through NHS, education, local authority, community spaces and online.
• Delivery of Sessions (Month 2 Onwards): Begin weekly creative wellbeing sessions providing small group support.
• Monitoring & Evaluation (Ongoing): Complete wellbeing check ins, gather feedback and track attendance and engagement.
• End of Project Evaluation (Month 10): Review data, gather final feedback and produce an impact report with case studies.