Latest news with #LoveSquared
BBC News
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bristol Balloon Fiesta partners with youth mental health charity
Bristol Balloon Fiesta has partnered with a South West youth mental health charity for this year's charity, Love Squared, said it had a "wonderful big, very colourful, tent" by the balloon launch site, where families can do arts and crafts and learn about the services it thousands of people are expected to have visited Ashton Court Estate between 8 and 10 August to watch more than 100 balloons take off. Love Squared's deputy safeguarding lead, Essi Pentti, told BBC Radio Bristol: "There is so much stigma around talking about mental health, particularly with young people, and we are trying to break down that stigma by having a very visible platform there." The charity provides education and mentoring to children and young people across Bristol and the South West, at schools and in the Pentti said: "There are such huge waiting lists for services, so we're trying to help children achieve the best they can and support them with their mental health through mentoring." They continued: "The pressures on children today are so huge. School is tricky, social media is so big, there is a lot of stress when it comes to academic performance. "Particularly post-Covid we've seen such a rise in young people struggling with their mental health." A 250-mile static bike ride will also be held in the charity's tent at the are invited to pedal a few miles towards the total to help raise money for the charity's services.
BBC News
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Schools to host balloons during Bristol Balloon Fiesta roadshow
Schools in Bristol are being invited to host a tethered hot air balloon this summer to inspire children with the science, engineering and teamwork behind Schools Tether Roadshow will take place in July, ahead of Bristol International Balloon Fiesta at Ashton Court Estate from 8-10 say the community programme aims to make ballooning more accessible and inclusive for children across the city, with pupils able to meet pilots and engage with the "iconic" event."We can't wait to inspire the balloonists and engineers of the future," said Ben Hardy, the fiesta's executive director. Mr Hardy said the roadshow aims to "capture the imagination of children, teachers and parents alike".The 2025 community programme forms part of a five-year plan to support the Fiesta in the lead up to its 50 anniversary in 2028, and to future-proof the Hardy said the fiesta is also "thrilled" to confirm the return of its charity partner, Love Squared. The Bristol-based charity provides special educational needs and mental health support, education and mentoring to children and young people across Bristol and the South Sweet, children's services lead at Love Squared, said it is "very excited" to return for a second year."We are extremely grateful for all the support we received last year, which helped fund vital mental health services for the area's young people [and] welcome everyone to get involved."Applications for the School Tether Roadshow are open now and close on 30 May.
