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Be Well recognised for improving outcomes for young people

An independent report from PBE has found that Be Well’s CYP is meaningfully improving outcomes for young people experiencing low wellbeing, whilst also delivering a good value for money provision.

Be Well CYP is Be Well’s social prescribing pathway for children and young people aged 13 to 25, offering one-to-one wellbeing coaching to help them manage difficult emotions, build confidence, and get support with everyday worries.  Young people referred into the pathway disproportionately experience low wellbeing and are more likely than the UK average to live in the most deprived neighbourhoods, have a disability or experience mental health difficulties.

The independent report from PBE uses both qualitative and quantitative data to look at the social impact of Be Well CYP and assess the value for money of the pathway.

Making a Meaningful Difference

Analysis from the University of Manchester found that young people who completed the programme typically saw a 4.3-point improvement in their wellbeing, measured using the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale.

While other factors may influence these changes to wellbeing, the report assumes that more than half (56%) of participants’ average improvement is attributable to Be Well CYP, based on the difference between participants and those with similar characteristics. These findings represent a meaningful difference to the lives of the young people supported by the programme.

Good Value for Money

The report also found that Be Well CYP is likely to represent “good value for money across a wide range of assumptions”.

If the estimated wellbeing improvements lasted for six months, the report calculates a potential wellbeing benefit of £5,400 for each young person supported. With an average cost of £845 per person, that represents around £6 of potential benefit for every £1 spent. The report notes that Be Well CYP’s true impact could be greater, as these figures don’t factor for potential savings to public services or long-term benefits for young people’s education, employment and wider life.

At a time when many children struggle to access the necessary mental health support, the report underlines the important role that relationship-based, non-clinical support can play. The findings also offer fantastic independent recognition of the difference the Be Well team is making for young people across Manchester.

So, what’s next for Be Well CYP? Joseph Campbell, Be Well Team Leader, said:

“This independent and highly respected report celebrates the values, innovation and work ethic of the incredible coaches and managers who shaped Manchester’s first-of-its-kind social prescribing pathway for children and young people.

Along this journey, we have developed many rewarding working relationships and partnerships, most notably with the incredible Greater Manchester Youth Network and Respect for All. I’m incredibly proud of everyone who has poured their heart and soul into this work, and I’m excited about the potential of this report to strengthen the group’s recognition and reputation in future funding bids”.

You can read the published PBE report in full here: PBE | Finding your feet: The impact of Be Well social prescribing on young people’s mental health and wellbeing | PBE