'Children will lose out unless we properly support mental health'
The charity offers reduced rates with each therapy session costing £63 to deliver but only charging £23 to ensure it remains accessible - resulting in a weekly shortfall of £3,600
Last updated 7th Apr 2025
A Devon charity which provides specialist therapy to children has thanked supporters for crowdfunding enough to keep it going - as it warns the sector needs long-term support.
Hayley Graham founded Bounce in 2019 after struggling to find help for her son and now has 60 families on her waiting list.
She says demand keeps rising and they are saving the NHS money in the long-run by preventing problems escalating.
Ms Graham said: "In 2019 it was just me providing pro-bono work to two primary schools and now we're a team of 20 people and we've got 12 therapists.
"We cater for those families who are falling though the gaps. The thresholds for CAMHS which is the child and adolescent mental health statutory service are so high it's very difficult to get help from them - and so many families cannot afford private help."
The organisation recently made an urgent appeal for £60,000 to sustain its services for children, young people, and their families - and has now closed to new enquiries despite its burgeoning waiting list.
Bounce works within primary and secondary schools in the Tiverton area and from a community hub in the centre of the town.
It offers reduced rates with each therapy session costing £63 to deliver but only charging £23 to ensure it remains accessible - resulting in a weekly shortfall of £3,600.
Dr James Squire, GP Principal at Castle Place Surgery who regularly refers patients to Bounce for mental health support, said: ‘We are aware of a significant problem with our younger patients, particularly school age children missing school due to depression and anxiety, as well as those who sadly are resorting to self harm.
"In Devon, the NHS service is so stretched that unless the child has very significant suicidal or severe self harming risk, they will not be seen. For the great majority of young people with mental health difficulties the only charity that is meeting this need for local therapy is Bounce and it has been invaluable."
A parent added: ‘Bounce came to my aid when I was struggling with trauma related anxiety when my baby was eight weeks old.
"My incredibly skilled therapist got me from a state of living each day in crippling fear to getting back to enjoying time with my precious family and living life more fully.
"As well as addressing the underlying trauma, I was equipped with a range of tools to deal with my feelings and they have enabled me to both advocate for myself and helped me make some really positive decisions for myself and my family.
"I couldn't have done this without them and I'm truly grateful for having access to this high quality service in my time of need."
For more about the crowdfunding appeal click here