Call for mental health help for schoolchildren
MILLIONS of pounds is being invested in Dewsbury but is the promise to ‘level up’ the North going to be done fast enough as Britain emerges from lockdown?
Kirklees Council has committed to spending £25m in regenerating the much maligned Kirklees town.
Its Dewsbury Blueprint – a 10-year plan to ‘honour the heritage of the beautiful town’ – will see money spent revamping the Dewsbury Arcade, building a new park on Longcauseway, installing new pieces of public art and upgrading the Daisy Hill area.
Millions have already been spent restoring Pioneer House and upgrading the landscaping around the train station.
Despite this many still believe the town receives nothing compared with Huddersfield and cite the 2013 departure of McDonalds as evidence that it’s failing.
People on the streets of the town, many who voted Tory for the first time in 2019, warned Boris Johnson they are “watching” to make sure he keeps his promise to the North.
Dad-of-one James White, 38, an IT worker in the town, said: “I hope Boris keeps his word and promise to the North.
“I will definitely be watching, as will everyone.”
Talking about the hardships in the area, he said: “It says a lot about a town when McDonald’s leaves town.
“I remember when there was an
M&S, a C&A and a cinema in the town centre.
“There has been some regeneration but someone needs to give us that kick.
“We’re always struggling because we’re sandwiched between Leeds and Huddersfield.”
He doesn’t believe the North has seen the investment promised, but adds: “Dewsbury really needs it.
“I will give them the benefit of the doubt because of the pandemic. Everything has been on hold.”
But he warns: “I will definitely be watching, as will everyone.”
Deborah Tarrant, 58, a GP in the Dewsbury area, said: “Working for the NHS teaches you not to trust governments.
“I would love to see it [the levelling-up] happen but I won’t believe it until I see it
“We are falling apart here.”
But she said she fears the worst is yet to come, as Covid and Brexit takes its toll.
She added: “The biggest problem is after Brexit and after Covid, there’s going to be no money left.
“I’d love it if they did invest but I don’t know how they can. “Businesses closing here will be the big issue. So many small businesses just cannot survive.
“People have got used to not coming to town centres to shop.”
In Dewsbury with Covid lockdown very few shoppers were in the town centre.
The huge market in the centre of the town is totally closed with a sign
We’re always struggling because we’re sandwiched between Leeds and
Huddersfield
THE Government must “turbocharge” plans for mental health support for children in schools and ensure that wellbeing checks are at the heart of its Covid-19 catch-up plans, a charity leader will say.
Schools and teachers must be properly equipped to recognise and respond sensitively to children who have had traumatic experiences in lockdown when they return to the class, the NSPCC is urging.
Sir Peter Wanless, chief executive of the NSPCC, will say that Covid-19 catch-up plans for children must include recovery from trauma and support for mental health to prevent harm from becoming lasting.
During the charity’s two-day conference on safeguarding children, Sir Peter will say it has been “a truly awful year for children”, with lockdown increasing the risks of abuse and neglect among young people.
He will add: “We also know that the mental health of many young people has deteriorated.”