Celebrating with the LGBTQ+ community

Monday 2nd October 2023

Celebrating and connecting with the LGBTQ+ community in September 2023.

Our Project Worker Katy reflected on the event…

“🌈 We had an amazing day talking about our LGBTQ+ youth group and giving out temporary tattoos.

It was incredible to see so many people coming together to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community. And meeting other organisations also supporting young people across Surrey was really empowering.

We all have a role to play in increasing visibility, keeping LGBTQ+ people safe, and creating a more inclusive future. 🏳️‍🌈”

Two Eikon Youth Workers at Pride in Surrey stall

This year, our stall in the youth zone enabled us to have fantastic conversations with young people and families about LGBTQ+ support available in Surrey. We also had our mural where everyone could add their message of support, and see that Eikon and others are here for them if they need a place of safety and inclusion.

Information pin board at Eikon Pride in Surrey stall

Support for LGBTQ+ young people

Eikon offers friendly, confidential and practical support to all young people in Surrey and their families. We’re excited to share that our LGBTQ+ youth group and one-to-one support sessions will be resuming in October! These provide a safe space for young people to access support and guidance, as well as a chance to share and discuss feelings and emotions around being part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Our LGBTQ+ youth groups are safe spaces for questions, support, discussions, activities and to make new friends. Our groups are completely free and open to all young people aged 11-18 (or up to 24 for young people and SEND) across Surrey who identify as LGBTQ+ or questioning. Click the link below to register your interest for our youth groups.

LGBTQ+ support for schools and parents & carers

In addition to our work with LGBTQ+ young people, we support families and schools to foster inclusivity. Parents and carers can access one-to-one support sessions with their young people and/or separately, as well as attend upcoming parent workshops. Schools and colleges can also request visits featuring pop-up stands, assemblies and LGBTQ+ youth drop-ins.

You can reach us at eikonLGBT@eikon.org.uk to book a visit or find out more about any of the above.

LGBTQ+ information table covered in leaflets and stickers

Cycle 30, 60 or 100 miles to help local children thrive

Tuesday 15th March 2022

RideLondon will take place on Sunday 29th May 2022

The iconic RideLondon-100 is returning for the first time since 2019. Alongside the 100 mile race there are two shorter distances for those who want to take part but enjoy a shorter ride. You are now able to experience the atmosphere of RideLondon by cycling 30 or 60 miles, all whilst helping vulnerable children in Surrey thrive. Take part in any of the three distances and you will be able to experience the epic start and finish in Central London. Riding with Eikon and raising vital funds means that we can be there for more children who need someone to turn to.

There is still time to sign up to any of the three races, so why not challenge yourself, whatever distance you choose!

If you decide to ride 100 miles for The Eikon Charity, you can sign up with us.

You can sign up for RideLondon-60 or RideLondon-30 directly with RideLondon. If you sign up for the 60 or 30 mile races, or if you have secured a ballot place in the RideLondon-100 and would like to fundraise for us, then please email us so we can begin supporting you as soon as possible.

Find out more

What are the minimum fundraising targets for each race?

RideLondon-100 is £500,
RideLondon-60 is £200,
and RideLondon-30 is £100.

Taking part in any of these challenges will help ensure a child facing complex issues receives the support they deserve. Cycle any length with Eikon and you will receive dedicated, expert support with your training and fundraising, as well as…

an Eikon Charity branded cycling jersey to wear as you train
a finishers medal
a fundraising pack and help with setting up your fundraising

Chris Hickford MBE, Chief Executive of Eikon, says:

“In nearly 30 years of The Eikon Charity’s existence we have not seen the wellbeing of children and young people be so low. More children than ever are really struggling. By taking on a RideLondon challenge and raising money for Eikon, you can help us provide more caring and committed professionals in schools and communities across Surrey who support these children through their challenges and to improved health. Please get involved and fundraise so that we can be there for more children who need us. Thank you.”

Get involved

The money our cyclists fundraise will make a huge difference to children struggling throughout Surrey. It will help us provide more one-to-one support sessions, lunch clubs, youth specialists in schools and lots of other key services which give children a safe place to turn to.

Challenge yourself and do something incredible for young people in Surrey. Every mile will bring us closer to changing a vulnerable child’s life.

Help us spread the word

Encourage your friends, family and colleagues to ride for Eikon by sharing this blog post and our social media posts.

RideLondon route maps

Take on the challenge: run the Surrey 5k or Half Marathon for local children

Wednesday 19th January 2022

The Surrey 5k and Half Marathon will take place on Sunday 6th March 2022.

Last year we had 14 fantastic runners take part in the Surrey Half Marathon, who raised £6,300 for The Eikon Charity. The UK’s best road race is returning to its regular March date for 2022 and there’s still time to sign up. If 20 people sign up to run either the Surrey 5k or Half Marathon, our founder, Chris Hickford MBE, will take part too!

If you want the half marathon experience but with less running, then sign up for the 5k with us.

Start your New Year off on the right foot by joining us to take part in the challenge. You will receive dedicated, expert support with training and fundraising every step of the way, as well as…

an Eikon Charity branded running vest to wear as you train
a finishers medal
a fundraising pack and help with setting up your fundraising

Chris Hickford MBE, Chief Executive of Eikon, says:

“Our work has never been more important than it is right now. More children and young people than ever are really struggling – tragically, even to the point where they are taking their own lives. By taking part and raising money for The Eikon Charity, you can increase the number of wonderful and deeply caring professionals that nurture these children to better and sustained health. Please run the Surrey Half marathon and raise funds so that we can help more children. Thank you.”

How will it help?

The money our runners fundraise will make a huge difference to children struggling throughout Surrey. It will help us provide more one-to-one support sessions, lunch clubs, youth specialists in schools and lots of other key services which give children a safe place to turn to.

Challenge yourself and do something incredible for young people in Surrey. Every step you take will bring us closer to changing a vulnerable child’s life. Sign up here today.

Help us spread the word

Encourage your friends, family and colleagues to run for Eikon by sharing our social media posts.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and Early Intervention

Wednesday 12th June 2019

Eikon continues its role delivering child and adolescent mental health services on behalf of the Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Eikon has successfully built, led and managed a partnership with four other Surrey organisations: Step by Step, Relate West Surrey, Learning Space and Heads Together ─ part of the YMCA East Surrey.

The Eikon Partnership was initially commissioned to deliver a preventative programme in schools and one-to-one early intervention for 600 children and young people. However, since the start of the contract, in April 2016, there has been a very significant demand for therapeutic support for children, young people and their families, far outstripping the level of demand expected.

The Partnership responded to this increased demand and in the last financial year, delivered 11,500 counselling sessions to over 2,100 children and young people. This proactive early intervention approach is at the core of how Eikon works. Getting involved before problems escalate is key to the success of the Partnership, particularly in an area of need that continues to grow.

We have also addressed the priorities for transforming Children and Young People’s mental health and emotional wellbeing services, as set out in Surrey’s own transformation plan and more recently in the Government’s Green Paper, by recruiting new staff to train as Children’s Wellbeing Practitioners (CWPs).

The CWPs are trained to deliver evidence -based guided self-help to young people experiencing mild to moderate anxiety and to parents of younger children experiencing anxiety or behavioural issues.

In addition to the ongoing delivery we are delighted to be involved in strategic discussions with Commissioners looking to the future development of this work in 2021, emphasising the importance of working collaboratively with Public and Third Sector Partners; an approach that Eikon has always advocated.

Head Smart – Wellbeing Ambassadors in schools. Delivering prevention & early intervention work such as this is a core principle of our work.

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Category: Professionals