Yorkshire mental health charities team up with The Principle Trust to support children's emotional wellbeing

The four Mind charities will now be able to refer families to The Principle Trust to receive a fully funded respite break. 

With family-friendly respite homes in Filey, Blackpool, and Windemere, The Principle Trust provides respite breaks to meet the diverse needs of the children and families it supports, ensuring every child can experience the joy, freedom, and magic of a family holiday.

Through the referring partners scheme, Hull & East Yorkshire Mind, Leeds Mind, Bradford District and Craven Mind, and Rotherham & Barnsley Mind will help to identify children and families who may benefit from some time away from their daily routines.

The breaks are designed to provide children struggling with their mental health the opportunity to rest, reset, and experience a positive change of environment, while offering families vital relief at challenging times.

Becoming a referring partner reflects a shared understanding of the growing pressures on children’s mental health and the importance of early, preventative support outside of clinical settings. By working with trusted local charities, The Principle Trust aims to ensure that respite support reaches those most in need, at the right time.

Jack Moore, Head of Marketing and External Relations at Hull & East Yorkshire Mind, said: “Nationally, one in five children aged five to 16 has a probable mental health disorder, reinforcing the importance of early, preventative and non-clinical support alongside traditional services.

"This partnership is about recognising when a child or young person is struggling and offering something genuinely restorative.

"A free week’s holiday might sound simple, but time away from everyday pressures can make a huge difference to a young person’s mental health and to the whole family.

"We’re proud to be working with The Principle Trust to make this possible for families across Hull and East Yorkshire.”

Isobel Keeling, Head of Children and Young People's Services at Bradford District and Craven Mind, said: “Our new partnership with The Principle Trust is hugely significant.

"It provides our children, young people and families with opportunities that can help to reduce the effects of poor mental health, loss of value and self-worth, low emotional resilience, deprivation and therefore supporting recovery, and strengthening family bonds.

"For many of the families we work alongside, a holiday is not something they could ever imagine affording. To be able to offer this experience is truly life-changing for them and hopefully help them on a more positive pathway.”

Ethan Foster, Economic Inclusion Services Manager at Leeds Mind, said: “At Leeds Mind, we see first-hand how financial pressure, stress and mental health difficulties can impact not just individuals, but entire families.

"Support like that of The Principle Trust offer families the chance to reconnect, recharge and experience something positive together.

"For many of the children and young people we support, a family holiday is simply out of reach, so being able to refer families to The Principle Trust is a meaningful way for us to support emotional wellbeing and build resilience at a crucial time.”

Frankie Parker, Children and Young, Person Team Lead, Rotherham and Barnsley Mind, said: "We are really excited to have a new partnership with The Principle Trust. This partnership will enable families to enjoy a free holiday, offering valuable time away from the pressures of everyday life. For many of the families we support, financial constraints mean that a holiday is often out of reach.

"This initiative removes that barrier, providing a rare and much-needed opportunity to rest, recharge, and reconnect. While a week away may seem like a simple offer, its impact is profound. The opportunity to step out of challenging circumstances, even temporarily, can be transformative—not only for the young person, but for the entire family unit. These experiences allow families to strengthen relationships, build positive memories, and create a sense of stability and togetherness."

Mike Davies MBE, founder of The Principle Trust, concluded: “We are incredibly pleased to be working with Hull & East Yorkshire Mind, Leeds Mind, Bradford District and Craven Mind, and Rotherham & Barnsley Mind to further our support for children struggling with mental health. Our work has always been shaped by the needs of the families we serve. The growing number of children struggling with their mental health demands a clearer, stronger response, and we hope this partnership will help provide crucial support for children across the region.”