Hertfordshire appears a prosperous place where there is strong education system, family friendly environment with reasonable socioeconomic conditions. However, Hertfordshire is a “county of contrasts” with pockets of deprivation, relative poverty or social issues. Outcomes for children with additional vulnerabilities tend to lag behind the county’s averages.

 

The reality is that there is continuing rise in:

• Mental health issues among teenagers, with statutory services not meeting demand

• Youth homelessness – where many young people are facing hidden homelessness, which is the lack of a safe, stable and permanent home

• There are over 1000 children in care

• More than 10,000 young people have significant additional needs recognized in an Education, Health and Care Plan

• Barnardo’s found as high as 1 in 11 children are growing up in poverty

 

Hertfordshire faces an escalating challenge. Youth violence, county lines exploitation, and school exclusions are rising, with over 6,000 offences involving under-18s recorded annually. Young people are increasingly both the victims and perpetrators of harm, driven by inequality, exclusion, and a lack of positive opportunities.

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Helping Herts is Hertfordshire’s leading unrestricted funder, connecting businesses with 12 frontline local children and young people’s charities through a single, streamlined relationship.

 

Think of Helping Herts as Hertfordshire’s very own Comic Relief – an organisation that uses its collective strength and reach to raise money to support several frontline charities.

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These charities are often doing essential work completely under the radar. Helping Herts helps put them centre stage – shining a spotlight on their work, and mobilising people across the county to fundraise.​ Turning individual efforts into county-wide impact.

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