Television presenter and former pop-star Rochelle Humes has said The Saturdays would always start their tours in Northern Ireland because “they are the best crowd” as she spoke about her partnership with a children’s mental health charity.
The former This Morning presenter is partnering with high street retailer M&S as an ambassador for YoungMinds, a young people and children’s mental health charity which has raised more than £22,000 in Belfast.
M&S and YoungMinds launched their charity partnership last October — aiming to raise £5m of vital funds over the next three years to support seven million young people and the adults in their lives.
They provide online advice, resource packs for schools and training and guidance through the YoungMinds Parents Helpline.
Speaking exclusively to the Belfast Telegraph about her role with YoungMinds, Rochelle said it was hugely important.
“I’ve been involved with M&S for a very long time, I won’t talk in years, because I’ll feel old, but I’m naturally interested in the mental health of young people and children, because I’m a mother of three,” said the television presenter, who is married to JLS singer Marvin Humes. “It’s something that really spoke to me, I did a lot of research into YoungMinds and the work they do is incredible, I’m really passionate about elevating the message because there are so many young people in Northern Ireland and across the UK going through a situation with their mental health who feel like they can’t talk to people, and that really bothers me.”
Staff and volunteers from Northern Ireland’s M&S stores fundraising for Young Minds
So far more than £2m has been raised across the UK in just one year since the charity’s launch, including £22,000 in Northern Ireland which was raised in one week with M&S staff holding various fundraising events in several different stores.
“What YoungMinds do so well is that they communicate with young people in a way that young people like to be communicated to, whether that’s sending a DM or online,” Rochelle added.
“It’s not a traditional way, we need to be on a level with young people and particularly with how they want to be approached. I went into the Young Minds office one day, and I saw the brilliant things they do.
“As a parent, I worry about a lot of things, and I think YoungMinds really helps break things down, not only for the child, but for the parent as well.
“There is no way I would partner with something if I didn’t believe in it, what they do is genuinely special.
“In my home life, I really take the time, especially on the school run, my mum or Marvin or myself will speak to the kids because we know that’s when if something is bothering them it’s going to be a good time to talk.”
Read more
The former Hit List presenter spoke g about her partnership with YoungMinds on Hello Yellow Day, which takes place on World Mental Health Day.
Hello Yellow involves thousands of schools, companies and communities across the UK coming together to make World Mental Health Day that little bit brighter by wearing something yellow and donating to YoungMinds.
Speaking about the Northern Ireland fundraising efforts, Rochelle said she was “amazed” by the incredible support YoungMinds received through M&S in Northern Ireland.
“I am amazed, it’s incredible, often the press can highlight a lot of negative things and we are living in a scary time and I get that, but when a community pulls together like the stores have in Northern Ireland, it’s amazing. It shows there are still good people out there.”
She also recalled her own memories of Belfast, having performed here several times during her time in girl group The Saturdays — and at her husband’s concerts here with boyband JLS.
“I always say this, but I just remember the noise from Belfast, we would always try and start or end a tour in Northern Ireland because we would always know we would be in for the best night with the best crowd.
“Obviously my husband and his group as well, they do much in Northern Ireland, and it’s always the shows I go to because I know it will be fun and really loud.”
Tracey Woods from Belfast who took part in fundraising for Young Minds
The work of YoungMinds in Northern Ireland was also demonstrated through M&S Belfast employee Tracey, whose husband tragically took his own life over 20 years ago leaving behind her and their four daughters, one of whom was only weeks old.
“Our girls were very young, and we ourselves were only 27. They felt robbed when they lost their dad, they didn’t have their father there and recently I found out about YoungMinds, and thought it was very helpful,” she said.
“My girls have gone through counselling and Calms, but I wanted to see if I could help them further and told them about the charity because sometimes there are just things they want to find themselves. I would really love a centre to be opened here really dedicated to mental health, because the waiting lists for help are just too long and it can be really hard to get to speak to someone.
“The information YoungMinds have is amazing, and I’ve been telling everyone. Sometimes as a parent, you don’t want to admit you need help, I thought I could handle it all myself but I knew my girls, who have struggled, need to be able to find help in ways that I couldn’t give them. It’s so reassuring to see the support YoungMinds offers to young people and the adults in their lives, and starting the conversation is key to ensuring young people don’t feel alone with their mental health.
Tracey said her colleagues who didn’t know her history have now have come to her to speak about their experiences.
She said: “I had a couple of people tell me about their own mental health, and I’m always happy to lend an ear, because I don’t find the services here to be very helpful, we need more help here.”