Families in Hastings will soon be able to access more support, thanks to a government initiative to improve young people’s emotional well-being at home, school or in further education.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds announced the funding during a visit to Hastings to mark Mental Health Awareness week. The funding is part of a £600,000 annual investment from the Opportunity Area Programme.

A total of 12 Opportunity Areas across England are currently receiving a share of £72 million targeted to programmes and services that help raise aspirations and opportunities for young people.

More than £250,000 each year will be allocated to extending services for parents and carers in Hastings, and Triple P has been named as one of those key services.

This additional funding builds on existing delivery of the Triple P programme, through investment from Hastings and Rother Clinical Commissioning Group and East Sussex County Council.

Triple P UK Chief Executive Matt Buttery congratulated the government for creating initiatives that prioritise social mobility and have “the potential to transform life chances for children and young people”.

“Triple P is working with a number of partners in the Hasting Opportunity Area to help families build healthy relationships and prevent problems developing, including in mental health,” Mr Buttery said.

“We look forward to continuing our work and expanding our offer so that all young people in the area, and indeed across the country, can achieve their full potential.

Read more about the initiative and what the Education Secretary Damian Hinds had to say on gov.uk