Mental health education for local young people with additional needs expanded thanks to Isle of Man Freemasons
September 19, 2025
As many as 2,000 children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) from across the Island will benefit from improved mental health education thanks to a grant from the Isle of Man Freemasons to Isle Listen.
The £26,800 grant will help Isle Listen’s delivery of a comprehensive mental health education programme in primary and secondary schools, reaching nearly every student across the Island. With around 14,000 school-aged children on the Isle of Man—and 20 per cent on the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Register—this funding will enable Isle Listen to create a wider range of inclusive, accessible resources that better meet the needs of this significant group of young people.
Research shows that young people with SEND are three to six times more likely to experience mental health difficulties than their peers, yet these issues are often harder to identify and treat. Communication difficulties can make it harder for young people with SEND to express how they are feeling. A more focused approach means that valuable mental health education is delivered in a way that is relevant to their experiences and better fits their needs.
This project will ensure that young people with SEND are better able to speak about their emotions, are better equipped to recognise and communicate when they might be struggling, develop practical coping strategies that work for them, and know when and how to seek help.
Over the next academic year, Isle Listen will work in partnership with schools, Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) and the Department of Education to adapt its existing mental health curriculum. The team will use the funding from the Freemasons to develop SEND-specific resources and lesson activities covering emotional literacy, coping skills, self-esteem, positive relationships, transitions, social media use, exam stress and emotional safety, as well as purchasing appropriate learning and communication aids.
These resources will also be available to support the work of Isle Listen’s therapeutic team, strengthening the wider impact on young people and their families.
The grant from Isle of Man Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends.
Speaking about the collaboration, Rebecca Macnair, Education Lead at Isle Listen said:
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Isle of Man Freemasons for supporting this vital project. Every young person deserves the chance to understand and manage their mental health, and this funding will allow us to make sure that children and young people with additional needs can access education and resources that truly meet their needs. By empowering them with skills and strategies, we hope to make a lasting difference not just for individuals, but for their families, schools and communities too.”
A representative from Isle of Man Freemasons, said:
“I’m really pleased we’ve been able to help Isle Listen with their hugely important project helping local children with Special Educational Needs. By addressing their requirements this wonderful charity are giving them the chance to make the most of their education and learn skills that will help them throughout their lives.”