A CHARITY founded in memory of a young man from Colchester who took his own life have joined forces with a mental health charity to help vulnerable students starting university.
The Charlie Watkins Foundation was set up in 2017 after the death of Charlie Watkins, 22.
Mr Watkins, who appeared as a contestant on ITV dating show Take Me Out before his death, was a criminology graduate from York University but was from Colchester.
Charlie’s twin brother Harry set up the foundation with their father Tim.
It has since worked with a number of charities, supporting efforts in ensuring mental health challenges are addressed in young people across the country.
Harry and Charlie tragically lost their mother to cancer at nine years of age and it is thought Charlie never fully recovered from the loss.
The foundation has now joined forces with the Charlie Waller Trust, a mental health charity which was founded in 1997 after 28-year-old Charlie Waller took his own life.
The charities have produced a set of online guides for students who are making the transition from school or college to university.
Each guide focuses on one of six themes - young carers, diversity and inclusivity, care leavers, international students, those with adverse childhood experiences and LGBTQ+ students.
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Harry Watkins, twin brother of Charlie Watkins, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with the Charlie Waller Trust on these crucially important transition guides for students going to university.
“Leaving home for the first time is such a huge step in any young person’s life, let alone someone who is in a vulnerable group.
“It’s so important to us that we continue working with charities whose goals are aligned with ours: to support young people who might be struggling with their own mental health challenges.”
Clare Stafford, chief executive of the Charlie Waller Trust, added: “Even at the best of times, the transition from school or college to university can be challenging to the mental wellbeing of vulnerable young people, whilst also being a very exciting experience.
“This year, the potential for anxiety is even greater, following all the difficulties of the pandemic, interrupted learning and cancelled exams."
The transition guides are being funded by donations to the Charlie Watkins Foundation.
To donate visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/cwf
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