A foundation in memory of the late singer Amy Winehouse, which helps youngsters to prevent the misuse of drugs and alcohol, has been launched in Liverpool.
The Amy Winehouse Resilience Programme aims to support, inform and inspire vulnerable children with help from volunteers and organisations.
The launch was held at Young Addaction, Merseyside Youth Association on Thursday, where Amy’s step-mother Jane made an appearance and gave an inspirational speech.
Mrs Winehouse told JMU Journalism: “The Resilience Programme in memory of Amy was launched in March of last year in the UK. It’s not only having a great effect on the children but the teachers and carers as well.
“I am delighted to be here today and I am hoping the programme will grow even more thanks to the funding we are receiving from the lottery.”
The programme has received £4.3m in funds from The Big Lottery Fund and Tessa Wiley, a lottery fundraiser, said they have had an enthusiastic response.
She told JMU Journalism: “As a funder we want to have our own achievements for the foundation in Liverpool. It will make a huge change if we find prevention for these substances, as it’s better than a cure.”
The foundation is now based in 10 locations across the UK and will launch in six Liverpool schools this week.
Video report by Holly Jones, JMU Journalism TV
Mrs Winehouse said: “We also have the skills from volunteers in recovery which makes it more meaningful and will develop opportunities for themselves as well.”
Many of the volunteers who support the youngsters in The Amy Winehouse Resilience Programme have been through recovery themselves. They are trained through 10 sessions to help support children who are now in the same position and 10 of the volunteers serve in Liverpool.
Mandy Riley, a volunteer in the programme, said: “As well as drugs and alcohol, we deal with issues like self-harm, eating disorders and peer pressure. We look at the underlining issues in young people, and identify why they are struggling.”
She added: “The most therapeutic way is helping another and youngsters especially.”