It's time to flip that script
Across the UK, there is an escalating crisis affecting children and young people. An epidemic of loneliness, isolation and anxiety. A world of unseen hurt behind the words “I’m OK”.
It's time to change that script
One in five children – around 2.8 million – are currently experiencing mental health difficulties. And the need is closer than we think: in our families, our churches and our communities.
In the past year, over 900,000 children and young people were referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Yet too many still can’t access timely support and are left without hope or help. Without early, effective support, struggles can become entrenched – half of all adult mental health problems are established by age 14. What happens to us in childhood shapes the course of the rest of our lives.
We believe that no child should have to struggle alone or wait for help – especially when there’s a local church.
That’s where TLG comes in.
We’re here to make hope real for every child struggling with their emotional and mental wellbeing – by equipping and resourcing the local church. Because for too many children and young people, the tough stuff is what feels most real, and hope can feel far away.
It’s time to flip that script.
Our approach is simple – we partner with the one presence already active in every community across the country: the local church. We provide churches with professional training, resources and hands-on support – so that they can offer meaningful, therapeutic care for children and families when it matters most.
Through our programmes, we equip ordinary Christians to provide professional, compassionate support to children and families facing tough times by offering trauma‑informed one‑to‑one support, counselling for children and families, and food and belonging for children reliant on free school meals.
Our belief is that no child should struggle alone.
Our hope is that every church is equipped to help.
Please visit https://tlg.org.uk to find out more.
Ollie’s Story
Before Ollie started TLG Early Intervention coaching, he found life at school stressful and hard to cope with.
He had resorted to self-harming, scratching his hands to the point where they became scabbed over.
“I was pretty worried about my mental condition.”
Ollie describes that he thought his actions down to his overwhelming emotions, until two years ago when he received an Autism diagnosis. From there he realised that certain things about the school day would cause him stress which often meant he struggled to sleep at night worrying about the next day.
“Through coaching, I started to feel differently. I would feel happier and just generally being able to talk about my feelings felt really good, and then was improving my mental state.”
Read Ollie’s story: TLG – Ollie’s story
Karis’ story
11-year-old Karis felt utterly lost when her best friend left their school. She didn’t have any other friends, she never got invited to parties, and navigating this loneliness was painful.
Karis wanted friends so desperately that she got involved in things that she knew weren’t right, worrying that if she said no, no one would like her. “I kept getting into trouble. The headteacher was getting tired of seeing me, very tired, and I wasn’t really proud of that.”
“Now I feel positive about my future. TLG coaching has taught me that I can do anything in life if I put my mind to it… and how to regulate myself around people… It’s changed my life!”
Read Karis’ story: TLG – Karis’ Story
Your church can become a partner!
Everything at TLG begins with local churches. When TLG first began in 1999, we were just one church responding to the needs of children who were struggling in the local community.
Now we’re a nationwide Christian charity of over 220 churches are making hope real for children and young people, believing that the difference made in the life of just one child can echo into eternity.
Find out more TLG – Our Programmes
Will you make hope real today?
Your generous gift will ensure that no child struggles alone by equipping churches across the UK provide early, relational, and life‑changing emotional and mental wellbeing support before crisis hits.
Become a Hope Giver today: TLG – Donate
