Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, visited children and youth charity The Island recently to discuss their impact and future plans.

The charity, based on New Lane, Huntington, has been helping disadvantaged young people and families in York since 2007.

Ms Maskell, who has supported the organisation for some years, spent time with the staff team discussing the charity’s work, the experiences and issues affecting young people accessing their services, and future plans.

Rachael Maskell MP said:
“The Island is a fantastic charity bringing local people together to support vulnerable young people in our city.

“They have a brilliant vision to benefit all of our young people, through their plans for the new centre and their life-changing services.”

The Island is aiming to raise £10,000 by March 31, which will be match-funded pound for pound by a private donor.

According to a spokesperson, “every penny raised will go towards the charity’s life-changing mentoring service, which offers young people timely support when life gets tough.” 

The Island’s mentoring programme matches volunteer mentors with a young person for weekly one-to-one sessions, intended to provide the young person with “islands of space and time” to gain perspective, confidence, and skills.

The charity has a vision to build a new children’s centre which would contain facilities and safe green spaces.

Planning permission for this was granted in 2024. To donate to The Island, please call 01904 628449.

More information about The Island is available at www.theislandyork.org

This article was published by York Press