London, June 2026 – A new collaborative programme, Young Women in Mind 2026–2028, has been launched to strengthen and scale therapeutic mental health services for girls and young women aged 14–25 across the UK. Backed by the Pilgrim Trust, the Prudence Trust, and the Julia Rausing Trust, the initiative will invest £5 million over three years to support charities delivering gender‑specific care.
The fund responds to worsening mental health outcomes among young women, many of whom struggle to access timely, community‑based support that reflects their lived realities. By pooling resources, the programme aims to expand access to effective therapeutic services such as CBT, talking therapies, and creative‑based interventions, alongside holistic support including youth work, family engagement, and advice services.
Eligibility requires applicants to be UK‑registered charities operating for at least three years, with a proven track record of delivering therapeutic mental health services. Priority will be given to organisations working in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and regions of England including the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Humber, and the Midlands.
The programme is designed to help charities grow, strengthen, or adapt existing services, ensuring that young women receive the right support before mental health needs become entrenched. By focusing on community‑based provision, the initiative seeks to reduce inequalities and improve long‑term outcomes for one of the UK’s most vulnerable groups.
With this joint commitment, the funders aim to create a sustainable impact on mental health provision, empowering charities to deliver tailored, trauma‑informed support and ensuring more young women can access the help they need to thrive.
