The Reanella Trust is delivering a time-limited but high-impact intervention in Knutsford to support 40 young people aged 13–18 who are living with bipolar disorder, alongside their families. The Resilience Recovery Relief Project is a six-week programme that combines physical activity, emotional wellbeing support, and practical family workshops, designed to build resilience, reduce isolation, and improve long-term outcomes for a highly vulnerable group. This grant has been part-funded by the Tatton Estate Fund.
This structured intervention is grounded in community feedback and clinical best practice. Participants will take part in weekly football sessions to encourage physical movement, teamwork, and emotional regulation—providing a positive, peer-based outlet for stress and energy. These are paired with targeted emotional wellbeing sessions led by accredited practitioners, focused on self-awareness, coping strategies, and resilience building.
Alongside the youth-focused support, families will benefit from monthly workshops offering practical tools to better understand and manage bipolar disorder at home. These sessions will cover emotional regulation, boundary setting, communication techniques, and early warning signs—helping to create more stable and supportive home environments.
The Reanella Trust has already completed its mobilisation phase, identifying and preparing its full participant cohort in advance, ensuring swift delivery with no recruitment delays. Referrals have come via Bipolar UK Cheshire, word of mouth, and previous projects. This ensures that those most in need are ready to engage and benefit from immediate support.
The need for the programme is urgent. Bipolar disorder is one of the most complex and high-risk mental health conditions affecting young people, with national statistics showing that up to 70% attempt suicide. In 2024, two young people known to the Trust tragically lost their lives—highlighting the life-saving potential of early, sustained interventions. Many young people in the cohort also face economic hardship and social isolation, with families often lacking access to timely, tailored mental health support.
By the end of the six weeks, the project aims to deliver measurable improvements in emotional wellbeing, confidence, and social connection for at least 75% of participants. These outcomes will be assessed using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS), alongside personalised goal tracking, session engagement data, and qualitative feedback gathered through focus groups and interviews.
The programme concludes with a celebration football match and planning session to ensure a smooth transition into ongoing community support. Families and young people will be signposted to services through Bipolar UK and local mental health networks. Some will continue engaging with the Trust through peer support opportunities or drop-in groups, ensuring the impact continues well beyond the intervention.
The Reanella Trust brings a trauma-informed, user-led approach to everything it does, shaped by lived experience and clinical expertise. With a strong track record in Knutsford and trusted partnerships in place, this project will provide a vital lifeline to young people and families who urgently need structured, compassionate, and practical support.
We are grateful to the Tatton Estate Fund and other Knutsford donors for their support for this vital and impactful project.
