The 6 February 2023 marks the start of Children’s Mental Health Week. This year’s theme is ‘Let’s Connect’ which is fitting as that is what BeeU has set out to achieve in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin – connecting organisations so health and care is more joined up, as well as connecting people to the right care at the right time. The BeeU service is made up of four organisations The Children’s Society, Kooth, Healios and Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust who deliver emotional health and wellbeing services across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.   

BeeU exists to help children and young people (aged 0-25) to be resilient and to have a positive sense of emotional health and wellbeing. The service is a great example of how a joined-up approach can benefit children and young people across the county. Staff who work within the BeeU partnership are specially trained to talk with children and their families about problems they are having.  

Liam Laughton, Children, Young People and Families Services Manager at MPFT said: “We work hard to ensure we understand the needs of everyone who accesses Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health support through BeeU. I’m proud of my BeeU colleagues who are committed to ensuring they provide the highest quality services they can, and who really care about achieving the best possible outcomes for children and families.” 

Through the partnership, BeeU offers a wider range of services depending on how children, young people and their families choose to access services. New drop-in and online services are available as well as Young People and Families Mental Health Service (previously CAMHS) to help an individual get advice, help, or support. There is a wide range of professionals working in their team, from Nurses and Doctors to Youth Workers and Therapists. 

The THRIVE Framework 

The people working in BeeU use something call the THRIVE model which helps identify the mental health and wellbeing needs of children, young people, and families, by dividing them into five needs-based groupings: 

1. Thriving

Those whose current need is support to maintain mental wellbeing through effective prevention and promotion strategies. 

2. Getting Advice

Those who need advice and 'signposting'. 

3. Getting Help

Those who need focused, goals-based input. 

4. Getting More Help

Those who need more extensive and specialised goals-based help. 

5. Getting Risk Support

Those who have not benefited from, or are unable to use help, but are of such a risk that they are still in contact with services. 

This video explains the THRIVE framework:  

For further information visit:  

BeeU :: Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust (mpft.nhs.uk)