Ask any youth leader in a church setting and they will tell you the same thing: the young people they work with are struggling in ways that feel different from even five years ago. Anxiety, loneliness, the relentless pressure of social media, the weight of academic expectations — these are not abstract concerns. They are the lived reality of children and teenagers in our congregations, our Boys' Brigade companies, and our Sunday school groups.

The Boys' Brigade's new partnership with YoungMinds is a practical, well-timed response to this reality. Running throughout 2026, the partnership will give BB leaders — most of whom are volunteers from local churches — access to trusted resources that help them recognise when a young person is struggling and feel confident enough to open a conversation. That might sound simple, but for many adults working with young people, knowing what to say (and what not to say) can feel genuinely daunting.

Jonathan Eales, Chief Executive of The Boys' Brigade, puts it plainly: "Now more than ever, it's vital that we equip children and young people with the tools and confidence to look after their mental health." The Boys' Brigade works with partner churches across the UK, so the practical resources developed through this partnership will flow directly into church communities. For church leaders wondering how to better support the young people in their care, this is worth paying attention to. The Boys' Brigade is also inviting groups to take part in a fundraising challenge for YoungMinds — a simple way for churches to get involved.