Northampton-based support group for young people calls for certainty over future funding

The Lowdown gives support to young people with mental health needs in Northampton and bosses wanted to ensure MP for Northampton North, Michael Ellis, was aware of the deman for their work.

Chief executive Imti Farookhi said: "We wanted to ensure that he was aware of the high levels of need in Northampton for the services we provide.

"We are hopeful that with his help we can get more certainty about the resources available for young people’s mental health services in Northamptonshire for the new financial year which starts in a few weeks time," he added.

Mr Ellis added: “I have been aware of the excellent work of The Lowdown for many years, since before I was an MP. I was very pleased to see the newly-refurbished facilities, meet the staff, and hear how many local young people have been helped – the impressive dedication of the staff and volunteers was very clear.”

The Lowdown is based in Kingswell Street and Mr Ellis met staff and volunteers and was shown the newly-refurbished counselling facilities provided by The Rotary Club of Northampton Becket in December last year. It provided services to 4,975 people in 2016.

Lowdown charity, John Toby, added: "​Current estimates are that up to 1 in 6 of the population will experience mental health problems and 50 percent of all mental illness will be apparent by the age of 14 and 75 percent by their mid-20s.

"It’s absolutely vital therefore that services such as the Lowdown have the resources to intervene early – the evidence shows that early intervention saves the NHS from having to provide expensive care later.”