Prince and Princess of Wales to launch mental health programme in Sandringham
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The Prince and Princess of Wales are collaborating with a local charity to work towards boosting mental health support for those living on the Sandringham Estate and surrounding area. The couple are co-funding a new pilot programme with Norfolk and Waveney Mind, which will provide additional mental health support for rural and farming communities.
Kensington Palace said rural isolation and poor mental health are still widespread across the UK. The new pilot will aim to reach across the 1,500-strong community in Northwest Norfolk, nearly half of whom live on the Sandringham Estate. The pilot programme, which will last two years, will officially launch in 2025 and will provide two part-time roles including one rural mental health co-ordinator and one counsellor.
As well as face-to-face counselling, the programme will also run targeted sessions such as parent and toddler groups, menopause and men’s groups. There will be a rollout of mental health training to local employers so that members of the community can be better supported in looking after their mental health before they hit a crisis point.
It is also hoped the project can become a blueprint for sustainable rural mental health funding, which if successful, could be rolled out to other rural estates across the UK. The programme follows William’s pledge earlier this year to provide mental health support for tenant farmers on the Duchy of Cornwall Estate.
