North East businesses tackle children’s mental health crisis by supporting storytelling intervention

• Four North East businesses have committed to children’s wellbeing by supporting the award-winning MELVA programme
• Schools across the region have been able to access the unique mental health education initiative free of charge, thanks to business sponsorship
• MELVA was developed in response to the current mental health crisis affecting 1 in 5 children in the UK ​

Children watching and listening as part of a MELVA lesson at Hawthorn Primary School. Photo Credit: Von Fox

​Four of the region’s businesses have demonstrated their commitment to supporting children’s mental health by sponsoring a unique storytelling intervention.
 
Muckle LLP, Ryder Architecture, Sorella Sorella and Square One Law are this year’s sponsors of MELVA, an award-winning intervention using storytelling and creative activities to improve children and young people’s knowledge and understanding of mental health and wellbeing and teach transformational self-management techniques.
 
Developed by creative learning charity Mortal Fools, MELVA is delivered by teachers in primary school settings and with older young people in specialist provision. Available through annual licences, MELVA uses creative storytelling, engaging characters, and practical activities to help children learn about how to recognise, understand, talk about and manage their mental wellbeing.
 
Recent Public Health England statistics show that 1 in 5 children and young people have a probable mental health disorder – and that suicide is now the main cause of death in children in the UK.
 
This generation of children and young people - Generation Alpha - have experienced uniquely challenging circumstances. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many spent long periods isolated and indoors, have grown up during times of political, social and economic turmoil, with factors like the cost-of-living crisis intensifying pressures on children.

Children laughing and playing games with Mortal Fools staff as part of a MELVA lesson as Hawthorn Primary School. Photo Credit: Von Fox

The MELVA programme has been designed for prevention and early intervention. It is for all children, not just those who are already struggling or in crisis. The programme focuses on teaching children and young people foundational basic skills and the understanding they need to keep themselves well, whatever challenges they might face in their lives now and in the future. It supports them to develop emotional literacy, resilience pathways, and healthy, supportive relationships.
 
Sorella Sorella and Square One Law are new MELVA sponsors this year, joining Muckle LLP and Ryder Architecture who return for a second year of sponsorship.
 
Roya Talai, Owner at Sorella Sorella, said: “We are delighted to support Mortal Fools as our chosen charity for 2025. Mortal Fools, through their Melva programme, support children and young people with their emotional and mental health wellbeing.
 
“As parents ourselves, we recognise the importance of giving children the information they need to be able to manage and understand their emotions, and to be able to support a North East based charity doing this is fantastic.”
 
Maria Brooks​​​​, Director of Operations at Square One Law, commented: “Now more than ever, supporting young people’s mental health is absolutely crucial, and Mortal Fools is leading the way with their innovative Melva programme.
 
“We’re happy to play a small part in helping to bring Melva to local schools - by using storytelling to teach practical wellbeing techniques, they make mental health accessible and engaging for children.”

Teachers watching a presentation as part of a MELVA event. Photo Credit: Von Fox

 
Nicola Leyden, Director of HR at Muckle LLP, said: “We are delighted to have been able to support Mortal Fools through its MELVA programme for a second year.
 
“The work they do in encouraging young people to increase their knowledge and understanding of mental health and connect with a language enabling them to talk about this openly is extremely important and is something we wholeheartedly support through our grant funding here at Muckle.”
 
Richard Wise, Partner at Ryder Architecture, added: “As a business we’re committed to helping young people to progress and thrive by supporting education initiatives in the communities in which we work.
 
“MELVA has never been more relevant. It tackles issues of anxiety, confidence and mental health in an imaginative and engaging way, and we are delighted to be supporting the programme for a second year.”
 
At a time when school budgets are being squeezed more than ever, support from local businesses enables children and young people across the region and beyond to benefit from the programme.
 
Kiz Crosbie, Mortal Fools CEO & Artistic Director, commented: “Sponsorship from compassionate and civic-minded businesses has enabled us to remove significant barriers for schools to access MELVA, placing effective mental health resources directly into the hands of the children who need it most.
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“The more businesses like this we work with, the more children we can reach. We would love more businesses to invest in MELVA, so we can reach even more young people!”

To find out more about how your business can support the MELVA programme, visit https://melva.org.uk/gift-melva/.
 

Children raising their hands during a MELVA lesson at Hawthorn Primary School. Photo Credit: Von Fox