With cuts to children's services, charities like OPEN are in the front line, with an increasing number of young people presenting with mental health issues. OPEN CEO John Gordon-Saker, tells of their importance.

Our youth team are not trained counsellors but they are in that position because young people have existing positive relationships with them and feel able to open up to someone they trust.

Over the past year, OPEN has engaged with over 5,000 young people between the age of 11 and 19, either through our Drop-In youth hub on Castle Meadow or through attendance on Your Life, a programme of workshops designed to give them the life-skills and confidence to find their own path in life and into meaningful employment.

Drop-In creates a safe environment run by a youth team that is non-judgmental. Most young people are just happy to be there with their friends, but they help to create a self-support system for others who may not have fully developed social, emotional or physical skills. For this latter group, life can be tough.

Suffering from low self-esteem, being bullied at school or falling out with their parents can lead to disengagement and OPEN gives those struggling with life a feeling of belonging and self-worth.

Michaela first came to OPEN aged 15. She had severe social anxiety often leading to panic attacks, making her short journey from home very difficult. However, with encouragement from the Youth Team she tried dance classes and, realizing this was a real passion, her confidence and self-esteem flourished, helping her control her anxiety.

Michaela started to volunteer at OPEN, leading dance sessions or helping in Drop In. Her participation enabled her to attain Level 2 & 3 Diplomas in Performing and Production Arts, helping her into her first job – as an apprentice dance teacher at OPEN and, now aged 19, a highly valued member of the team.

Is it right that charities whose funding is already at critical levels are subsidising the government? Of course not but, if this is the future, then OPEN must make the best of it because we cannot let young people down, especially with a mission to make a positive difference to their lives, regardless of their situation or background.

We must become self-sustainable, with every penny of profit made from the venue – climbing wall, café, gym, conferences, banquets, public events, live music, meeting room hire and private dining - directly benefitting young people.

It's a compelling proposition for any organisation looking for a corporate social responsibility strategy that improves the lives of thousands of children in Norfolk, just like Michaela.

For more on Open visit opennorwich.org.uk

• For more from the EDP's special mental health takeover edition, click here.