Mental health education supported for next 2 years in 13 primary schools, thanks to generous grant from Manx Lottery Trust
December 2, 2025
Isle Listen has received a much-needed boost to support its primary education delivery thanks to a generous grant from the Manx Lottery Trust.
Isle Listen, which is a charitable initiative, relies on funding from various sources to deliver its important mental health education programme in schools. This programme brings interactive, age-appropriate sessions into primary (and secondary) schools across the Island, tackling the serious topic of mental health in an accessible yet engaging way and giving children and young people the tools they need to look after their wellbeing.
The programme, which currently operates in 95% of the Island’s schools, sparks conversations, builds confidence and helps students recognise that looking after their mind is just as important as looking after their body. All activities are grounded in evidence-based, psychological good practice, with content reviewed by Isle Listen’s accredited clinical team.
Speaking of the primary schools curriculum, Holly Ramsay, Wellbeing Facilitator at Isle Listen said: “The sessions we deliver help young people build self-esteem, encourage positive relationships and equip them with practical coping strategies that they can draw upon when managing strong and challenging emotions.”
Holly continued, “Through our presence in schools, we see first-hand how students’ understanding of mental health is growing year on year, and how eager they are to learn how to look after their own wellbeing. Some students are now in their fifth consecutive year of Isle Listen sessions, and have carried the tools and confidence developed over these sessions in primary school into secondary education, supporting the next chapter of their lives. It is such a privilege to be a part of this journey.”
Through the Manx Lottery Trust grant of £37,332 per year for two years, Isle Listen’s facilitation of the mental health education programme is secured for another two academic years, in 13 of 33 primary schools, just under half of the primary schools that we are currently working in.
Speaking of the funding, Becks Macnair, Education Lead at Isle Listen said: “We are thrilled to have received this generous grant from the Manx Lottery Trust. This funding provides financial security for our core service delivery in 13 of our primary schools for the next two years. Donations of this size don’t only give security, but they also enable us to expand and invest further into our services. For example, another recent grant has enabled us to develop special tools and materials for SEND students. Funding permitting, we are also looking ahead to expand our education offering for early years and parent sectors. Thank you to Manx Lottery Trust for supporting our core service of preventative mental health education.”
Reflecting on the importance and impact of the programme, Becks continued: “We know that our educational work in schools is key and is already having an impact. While in the long term we want this preventative work to reduce the number of young people who need further support, we know that there are, unfortunately, always going to be some young people who need specialist services. Young people accessing therapeutic support from the Talk service, are increasingly presenting with greater emotional literacy and understand when they are struggling and need support. These young people also have a solid foundation in coping skills and mechanisms sometimes explored in therapeutic sessions, often enabling a more productive and positive therapeutic experience.”
Sarah Kelly, Chair of Manx Lottery Trust, said: “Supporting young people’s wellbeing is vital for a resilient community. This grant will help Isle Listen continue delivering important mental health education in primary schools and make a positive difference across the Island.”
