Helping young people feel seen, heard and supported

For many children, the move from primary to secondary school is exciting. For others, it can be overwhelming — a point at which loneliness, anxiety and difficulties with emotional regulation begin to take hold. We know that young people who struggle to manage their emotions in childhood are more vulnerable to developing mental health challenges in adolescence, affecting not only their wellbeing but also their school attendance and future life chances. 

Too often, these children feel isolated and misunderstood. What they need is early, preventative support and access to safe “third spaces” where they can express themselves, build confidence and feel a sense of belonging. Evidence shows that creative approaches, particularly drama, can play a powerful role — boosting self-esteem, improving communication skills and helping young people develop empathy and stronger social connections. 

That is why we are proud to support Peer Productions through our Mental Health Scale-Up Fund, helping some of Surrey’s most vulnerable children navigate the crucial transition into secondary school and beyond. 

Supporting early intervention across Surrey 

By funding Peer Productions, we aim to reduce the likelihood that these young people will require more intensive mental health intervention later in their teens — support that often comes after patterns of school absence and missed learning have already taken hold. Early, preventative action is key to protecting both mental health and educational outcomes. 

With support from the Mental Health Scale-Up Fund, Peer Productions will bring together two existing programmes to create a joined-up offer that supports young people before, during and after their move to secondary school. This includes delivering a performance to more than 13,000 Year 6 pupils across Surrey, alongside targeted drama intervention programmes for up to 280 students who are identified by teachers as likely to struggle with the transition. 

This approach combines universal provision — supporting all Year 6 pupils — with targeted support for those with mental health and/or neurodevelopmental needs. Importantly, the same young people will receive continued support in both Year 6 and Year 7, ensuring consistency through a pivotal stage in their development. 

A collective fund making a step-change difference 

We are proud to support Peer Productions through CFSurrey’s Mental Health Scale-Up Fund (MHSU), a collective fund supported by both public and private donors. Established in 2021, the Fund was created to deliver step-change improvements to mental health support for young people in Surrey, ensuring help is available wherever they live. 

Nina Lemon MRSA, Artistic Director at Peer Productions, said: 

“At Peer, we are delighted to have secured this significant funding, which will enable us to make a strategic and lasting impact on the mental health of young people across Surrey over the next five years. This investment is particularly vital during the challenging transition from primary to secondary school. Support from the Mental Health Scale-Up Fund will allow us to work with more schools across Surrey and to identify those young people who will benefit most from evidence-driven, person-centred support—empowering them to thrive as they begin their secondary school journey.”

Dr Charlotte Canniff, Joint Chief Medical Officer for Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership, commented:

“Children who are struggling managing emotions are at greater risk of mental health challenges as they grow older. Surrey Heartlands ICB is proud to support Peer Productions in reducing that risk and strengthening early intervention. This grant will help expand their drama‑based creative work across Surrey, reaching some of the county’s most vulnerable young people.”

Mark Nuti, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing and Public Health, said:

“Surrey County Council is delighted to support Peer Productions, whose work will help some of Surrey’s most vulnerable children feel confident and supported as they take the big step into secondary school and the years that follow.”

Thank you to our donors 

Surrey County Council and NHS Surrey Heartlands donated £1 million from the Mental Health Investment Fund (MHIF) to support two funding rounds of the Mental Health Scale-Up Fund in 2025 (Rounds 4 and 5). CFSurrey matched this investment in full, thanks to generous donations from four private foundations: the Sedel Collings Foundation, The Netherby Trust, The Quies Trust, and The A&J Smith Fund. 

We are incredibly grateful to our public and private donors for working together to improve mental health outcomes for people across Surrey. 

Surrey County Council and NHS Surrey Heartlands have also committed a further £595,000 to fund Round 6 of the Mental Health Scale-Up Fund. This one-off round will be funded solely by MHIF and will support VCSE organisations working with beneficiaries of any age. Following this, the Fund will revert to its usual age restrictions. 

Find out more about The Mental Health Scale-Up Fund