SHROPSHIRE Council is offering support for young people who have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The council will be offering support and advice at a series of virtual drop-in sessions.

Held via Zoom, the council and its partner organisations will hold the sessions between 1pm and 2pm on Saturday, August 15 and August 22.

Experts from Shropshire Council, Shropshire Mind, BEAM, Shropshire Public Health Nursing Service and the Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust will be on hand to offer support and advice.

Ed Potter, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services said the sessions will offer a safe space for young people to talk openly about how they feel.

He said: “We recognise that the past few months have affected thousands of children and young people across the county.

“The disruption caused by the premature end to the academic year has contributed to further anxiety, especially for those who are waiting for their A-Levels and GCSE results.

“In Shropshire there is help available, in terms of mental health support, Early Help advice, Family Information Service and Post-16 guidance.

“We want to reassure both young people and parents that you are not alone – help is available.

“These online drop-in sessions will provide young people with a safe and confidential space where they can chat openly about how they are feeling.”

Evidence has shown the huge impact that coronavirus and lockdown measures have had on young people in the UK.

A recent study carried out by the charity Young Minds involving over 2,000 young people revealed 80 per cent of young people agreed that the coronavirus pandemic had made their mental health worse.

And 87 per cent of young people agreed that they had felt lonely or isolated during the lockdown period, even though 71 per cent had been able to stay in touch with friends.

Among more than 1,000 respondents who were accessing mental health support in the three months leading up the crisis, 31 per cent said they were no longer able to access support but still needed it.