Robotic cats to provide comfort for North Yorkshire dementia patients

Knaresborough Rotary Club has delivered a ‘litter’ of 27 robotic cats to the charity Dementia Forward.

The charity, which is funded by North Yorkshire County Council, provides dementia support across the county.

During lockdown, it launched a ‘cafe in a box’ scheme in which dementia patients receive special boxes tailored to their individual interests.

Robotic cats have been included in the boxes to patients who have been clinically assessed to obtain maximum benefit from robot cat therapy.

Research has found the therapeutic value of robotic cats can be more beneficial than drugs for certain conditions.

The latest delivery takes the number of robotic cats donated by Knaresborough Rotary Club to 50.

Read more:

Each robot weighs about the same as a cat and interacts in a lifelike way, creating a calming effect.

They miaow, purr, lick their paws and can become long-term companions to dementia patients.

Jill Quinn, chief executive of Dementia Forward, said people became attached to the cats after the charity trialled them.

Jill Quinn, chief executive of Dementia Forward.

Ms Quinn said:

“They are very lifelike and purr and react when they are stroked.

“They can provide comfort for a person with dementia who is anxious or unable to settle by providing a calming effect.

“One example we witnessed was a woman who was very into arts and crafts, but her dementia meant that she would get anxious and wasn’t able to stay involved in any activity.

“But once we placed the cat on her knee she sat and stroked it – it created a calming distraction which enabled her to stay focussed and enjoy the activity.”

North Yorkshire pension scheme investments in Russia total £5m

Almost 97,000 people who have contributed to the North York and York local government pension scheme could see up to £5 million of the fund wiped out unless those managing it are able to recover investments they have made in Russia.

However, council bosses have emphasised that whether or not the investments in Russian companies can be retrieved when trading eventually resumes on Moscow’s stock exchange the £5 billion pension fund is in a particularly strong position.

The North Yorkshire and York Pension fund represents a tiny fraction of the £5 billion in shares British investors have trapped in Moscow’s stock market, which has remained closed since sweeping sanctions were launched against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.

Officers overseeing the pension scheme said while it had no direct investments in Russia, some of the external fund managers the fund used had discretion to invest where they could generate the greatest returns for the former and current local authority employees and numerous other public, education and voluntary sector staff in the scheme.

They confirmed while the pension scheme had no holdings in states such as North Korea or Iran, some 0.1% of the investments were in Russia and due to China’s economic strength it was almost impossible to avoid having a significant amount of holdings on the Shanghai exchange if the pension fund was to grow.

The last decade has seen a turnaround in the fortunes of the North Yorkshire Pension Fund which has been described by council officers as “miraculous”, going from a funding level of just 35% to 129%, with a £1 billion surplus.

Read more: 

Officers said even with the loss of the Russian holdings the funding level would remain well above 128% funding level.

Despite this, opposition councillors have questioned why those managing the pension fund did not withdraw the Russian investments as the prospect of war mounted over several weeks.

Cllr Stuart Parsons, leader of the opposition on the county council, said it had been clear Russia was an unsuitable place to invest in since its invasion of Crimea in 2014, and those concerns had been heightened by Russia’s actions such as the Salisbury novichok posoinings.

He said many of the 97,000 people invested in the fund would recoil in horror at the thought of their contributions bolstering the Russian economy and regime.

While the pension fund’s managers already invest within parameters, it is understood some bosses overseeing the fund will examine whether it is possible to further restrict where and how the pension fund can be used in future.

Cllr John Weighell, who led the county council for 14 years and now chairs the Pension Fund Committee, said fund managers were instructed to go over and above ethical criteria, with a commitment to “responsible investments”.

He added the pension fund had a responsibility to generate returns for its contributors so councillors would never direct experts it employed about individual investments.

Asked why the Russian investments had not been withdrawn before the invasion, Cllr Weighell said the Russian action had not been foreseeable as there had not been such a conflict in Europe for many decades.

A spokesman for the North Yorkshire Pension Fund said it was working with fund managers and its investment advisers to determine the most appropriate action in the longer term.

He said: 

“We are saddened by and strongly condemn the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.  

“Given the current circumstances we have immediately suspended making any further investments in Russia, and continue to review our existing investments including our approach to exiting in due course as and when markets permit.”

New nursery set to open its doors in Harrogate

This article is sponsored by Children’s Corner Childcare. 

An innovative new nursery – complete with a refurbished loft space and a breakfast bar for parents – is opening its doors near RHS Harlow Carr Harrogate.

Launching in April, Children’s Corner will be based at Central House, on Otley Road, making it an ideal location for parents who work at the business park.

It will also serve commuters to and from Harrogate, as well as those living in nearby villages, including Beckwithshaw and Pannal.

Lesley Anne Dawson, CEO and owner of Children’s Corner Childcare, said:

“This purpose-built nursery is the first of its kind in the area. Bright and spacious, the modern open-plan space will allow plenty of opportunities for children to explore.

“Beyond the welcoming reception area are two large rooms divided into nursery and pre-school, with staff and activities tailored to different ages and abilities.

“We also have a beautifully-refurbished loft space that local baby and toddler classes will be using throughout the week. The nursery also benefits from a wonderful outdoor space which will be used for outdoor learning and play.”

The family-run nursery, set to open on April 4, will be able to welcome up to 50 children from aged six weeks to five, from 7.30am to 6pm all-year-round. It will also offer 15 and 30-hour funded places.

Its many stand-out approaches to childcare include a sustainable, eco-friendly ethos, a focus on outdoor learning and flexibility for parents in a modern working environment.

Lesley added:

“We have commissioned sustainable wooden play equipment for both in and outdoors, and lean towards open-ended natural resources to encourage children to create their own play. There is also a covered area to allow for all-weather play and outdoor learning.

“Spending lots of time outdoors has proven benefits to children’s health and development. Our garden is surrounded by mature trees and we will be encouraging wildlife – the animals and insects we share our home with provide endless opportunities for learning.”

To make drop-off run as smoothly as possible, the nursery’s welcoming reception area is aimed at helping to set families up for a happy day ahead.

Lesley said:

“On arrival, children will go in for breakfast and parents can stay for a coffee while they catch up on emails at the breakfast bar.

“There are ample parking spaces right outside. The Children’s Corner operations manager will also be based onsite, so parents always have a point of contact.

“We are keen to be an integral part of the local community and we are offering our lovely loft space to local baby and toddler groups, who will be offering classes throughout the week. We plan to work with local schools to offer wraparound care.”

Lesley said an emphasis was also placed on mealtimes, which is seen as a chance to sit down with friends, develop communication skills and learn healthy eating habits.

She added:

“Our seasonal dishes are always freshly prepared and we explore different aromas, tastes and textures every day, helping young children understand what good food is, how it grows and that it tastes delicious.”

During the pandemic, the nursery, which has six other branches in Leeds, created a unique ‘Flexi-Day Pass’ to support parents who were juggling childcare and working from home.

Lesley said:

“We wanted to offer parents reassurance during a difficult time of uncertainty.

“The pandemic has changed the way we work. Now that many companies are returning to the office or adopting the hybrid approach, we aim to continue to offer flexible childcare with just 24 hours notice.

“Parents book a minimum of three days per month, and can choose those days flexibly. As long as we have availability we will do our utmost to provide the days requested.”

The nursery follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and practices ‘in the moment planning’, which means that children are able to follow their interests.

Matthew Dawson, director of Chidren’s Corner Childcare, said:

“We cannot wait to open our first Children’s Corner nursery in Harrogate.

“Our goal is to offer the highest quality childcare to our families whilst also meeting the flexibility requirements parents need in the modern working environment.

“We want Children’s Corner Harrogate to feel like an extension of your own family and we will be running social events for parents who might not have been able to meet other parents because of the pandemic.

“We are a family-owned and operated business and love having that personal connection to all of the families in our care.”

The nursery is holding a series of open days in March, starting with an exclusive Central House show-round on Friday, March 11, where tenants can drop in for lunch between 12 and 2pm and meet the nursery manager.

It will be followed by two events for parents, who can enjoy a tour of the setting, on Saturday, March 12 and 19, between 10am and 2pm.

£4.9bn North Yorkshire pension fund struggles to offload holdings in Russia

Managers of a pension fund run for North Yorkshire and York’s biggest employers as well as for a large number of staff working for a spectrum of private firms are struggling to offload indirect holdings in Russia, it has emerged.

A meeting of the North Yorkshire Pension Fund Committee heard it had some £4.9 billion of assets at the end of the year and liabilities of only £3.8 billion, leaving a surplus of over £1 billion.

Members were told that although the pension fund was “very healthy”, with a 129% funding level, about 0.1% of the fund related to Russian “indirect holdings through our managers”.

Council officers told the meeting:

“We are working with those pension fund managers and our advisors on the most appropriate course of action to take, but options are quite limited at the moment.

“One issue at the moment is that the Russian stock exchange is actually closed at the moment.”

The meeting also saw the pension fund, whose members range from teachers to security guards, heralded for efforts to ensure its investments help to tackle climate change.

Read more: 

Council officers said while investing in commodities such as oil, energy and metals, during the current period of high inflation was profitable, over the long-term such investments would not be pursued.

They said while the North Yorkshire Pension Fund has its own responsible investment policy that was reviewed annually, the authority had been working with one of its fund managers Border to Coast, one of the UK’s largest pension pools, on the development of its climate change policies.

Climate change

York councillor Christian Vassie welcomed the policy change, saying the pension fund clearly recognised the role that such pension funds had in the transition to a low carbon economy in the future.

He said while it was vital the fund continued to make money for its members, he was hopeful North Yorkshire Pension Fund would press home the importance of climate change in investment decisions.

Cllr Vassie said balancing responsibilities to ensure that people have a secure pension when they retire while ensuring that we all have somewhere to retire to.

He added: 

“This pension fund has a clear leadership role to move Border to Coast forward. There are a number of instances where they are showing less commitment than some would like.”

This specialist fat treatment changes lives

This article is sponsored by Kliniken. 

What is Lipoedema? 

Lipoedema is an abnormal buildup of fat, usually in the legs and affects up to 1 in 10 of all women. It cannot be helped by traditional weight loss techniques. Lipoedema can have a really negative impact on the patient’s life, both physically and mentally. 

Lipoedema is a progressive, chronic condition – which means it cannot be cured and gradually continues to worsen. The most extreme cases see large growths of nodular fat cause severe deformity around the thighs and knees. Kliniken is one of the leading clinics in the country helping people with this condition.

People with lipoedema can often feel frustrated, and can struggle with their body confidence. There is poor awareness of lipoedema amongst doctors and the general public, leaving patients feeling they are not doing enough to deal with the fat. 

Lipoedema Liposuction 

Because lipoedema cannot be cured, the fat itself needs to be managed through liposuction. 

The procedure can typically be performed in less than two hours, using either local anaesthetic and sedation or general anaesthetic.

At Kliniken, the patient will be seen by their surgeon for a consultation. The clinic also has a psychiatrist who is on hand to help with the emotional and mental effects that sufferers of lipoedema can experience. From consultation to post-operative care, the patient will see the same surgeon, receive a direct number for them for any questions or concerns and a full care plan to ensure they are healing from the inside out. 

What are the results? 

Susannah is one of Kliniken’s clients, and talks about her experiences with the procedure and how it has changed her life for the better:

“As a gym instructor I could never understand why I couldn’t lose weight on my thighs, and no matter what I ate, or how much I moved, the weight would not shift. Speaking with the Kliniken team and learning about Lipoedema was such a revelation, and knowing that there was something I could do to make myself feel better made all the difference.

The procedure itself was fantastic and Mallappa was extremely professional and put my mind to rest and was very understanding. The recovery was quick and for the first time in a long time I felt like myself again.”

How long does the surgery and recovery take? 

Kliniken’s clinic is situated in picturesque Bishop Thornton near Ripley. The setting is part of the therapy the clinic offers, and the rest and relaxation helps patients recuperate.

Patients can usually go home the same day, although in some cases an overnight stay may be necessary. 

Following lipoedema liposuction, there is an immediately noticeable reduction in the volume of the limbs. The skin takes around two weeks to heal, and the swelling should settle over a few months. 

It’s suggested that patients take two weeks off work. 

Who performs the procedure? 

Kliniken’s co-owner and consultant plastic surgeon, Mr Mallappa Kolar is the lead surgeon for lipoedema liposuction. He has nearly 20 years’ experience in cosmetic surgery, in addition to an MD and PhD in the use of fat cells. Mallappa has helped patients transform their lives with this surgery. Prices for the procedure start at £5,000. 

 

To find out more about the procedures offered at Kliniken, visit their website or call 01423 206 388

Bid to set up new taxpayer-funded Yorkshire tourism body branded ‘laughable’

Taxpayers in North Yorkshire are set to fund a new tourism organisation in the wake of Welcome to Yorkshire’s demise.

Welcome to Yorkshire entered administration on Tuesday after years of financial and reputational difficulties.

Yorkshire Leaders Board, which represents council leaders and metro mayors, agreed at a private meeting this week there should be a new regional destination marketing organisation funded by local authority grants. A timeline will be agreed in May.

The prospect of local authorities, including North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council, funding another tourism body has prompted concrns.

Stuart Parsons, leader of the Independent group on the Conservative-controlled county council, said:

“North Yorkshire County Council and the district / borough councils have spent vast amounts supporting this organisation with little or no return.

“The idea of setting up another group at this moment is just laughable.”

Welcome to Yorkshire in happier times.

‘Couldn’t organise a tea party’

Cllr Parsons was also critical of the decision by Yorkshire Leaders Board to publish a summary of a tourism report by Merran McRae, a former chief executive of Wakefield and Calderdale councils, rather than the full report. He added:

“We haven’t seen the report and so don’t know just how rotten things were. Also given that the leaders of North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council served on the existing board I’m afraid that I would have no confidence in their ability to organise a tea party let alone a regional agency.

“All previous board members must be prevented from serving on any new organisation as they have failed taxpayers.”

Stuart Parsons

Stuart Parsons

Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, was a Welcome to Yorkshire board member for five years until administration. Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, was a board member from 2016 to 2019.

A Conservative county councillor, who asked not to be named, branded Cllr Les’ five years on the board as a “litany of failure”, adding:

“It fits with other issues showing a lack of judgement — the loss-making Brierley Group companies and the £9m acquisition of the Royal Baths in Harrogate.

“Some of the core services North Yorkshire County Council runs are excellent but when it comes to commercial judgement, it’s a series of disasters.”

Read more:

£85,000 a year from county council

The county council paid annual subscriptions of £85,000 to Welcome to Yorkshire.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, who has ruled himself out of being a future Mayor of North Yorkshire.

Carl Les

Cllr Les said the new tourism body would be smaller than Welcome to Yorkshire and focus on strategic marketing to “get people interested in coming to Yorkshire” and leave specific initiatives to other groups.

He said his anonymous critic “doesn’t actually know an awful lot about what has happened” and added “it was a pity they didn’t challenge me face-to-face”.

Cllr Les added he was unable to discuss Welcome to Yorkshire in detail as it was now being managed by administrators.

£62,100 since 2012 from Harrogate Borough Council

Harrogate Borough Council has paid £62,100 from its holiday tourism marketing budget to Welcome to Yorkshire over the last decade — but hopes to get £12,100 reimbursed.

A spokesman added:

“We recognise the need for an organisation that has a Yorkshire-wide focus to help develop the Yorkshire brand in order to attract visitors to the region.

“This enables us to build on the successes of Destination Harrogate, and the reputation we have as an events destination, to drive both leisure and business visitors to the Harrogate district.”

Welcome to Yorkshire chairman Peter Box said in a statement:

“The past three years have been incredibly difficult for board members and staff as we have endeavoured to deal with well-publicised legacy issues.

“These matters, coupled with the impact of covid and the task of securing sufficient funding from the public and private sectors to place Welcome to Yorkshire on a sound financial footing, have made the situation increasingly challenging.”

“It is my sincere hope that the public sector will recognise the value of a new regional destination management organisation to build on the many achievements of WtY.

Council leader Richard Cooper has not responded to a request for comment by the Stray Ferret.

Richard Cooper

Richard Cooper

Armstrong Watson LLP has been appointed as joint administrators of Welcome to Yorkshire.

County Councillor Gareth Dadd, North Yorkshire’s deputy leader for finance and assets, said in a statement:

“This is disappointing news, but we now have an opportunity to work with all our partners across Yorkshire to build a new destination marketing company with a new funding model that will help the whole of Yorkshire punch its weight and build on its globally recognised brand.

“North Yorkshire has seen its fair share of benefits from the work of Welcome to Yorkshire in past years in attracting visitors to the county for world class events such as Tour de Yorkshire and our role in the Grand Depart of the Tour de France. And it’s important to say that all loans made to the Welcome to Yorkshire by the county council have been repaid in full with agreed interest.”

It remains to be seen whether the new organisation, which could be run by many of those involved with Welcome to Yorkshire, will avoid the same mistakes.

 

Harrogate lodges lead bid to make Freemasons TikTok famous

It is an ancient organisation shrouded in mystery, which conjures up images of aprons, arcane symbols and secret handshakes.

However, in an effort to bring the fraternity into the modern era and attract younger members, Freemasons in Yorkshire are attempting to become TikTok famous.

The Province of Yorkshire West Riding has posted two videos on its new account – @wrfreemasons – including a take on the staircase scene from Titanic, set to Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On.

@wrfreemasons

If you would like to know more about Freemasonry in Yorkshire, West Riding, visit http://wrprovince.org.uk #freemasons #brotherhood #fraternity

♬ My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme from “Titanic”) – Céline Dion

The second is a TikTok of the famous Masonic aprons, described as “a badge of honour” being packed into a suitcase, with the caption ‘Freemasons wear aprons’. This is set to the track Run, by Becky Hill and Galantis.

@wrfreemasons

Freemasons wear aprons. #freemasons #fraternity #brotherhood #community #clothing #Yorkshire

♬ Run – Becky Hill & Galantis

Both have been filmed by member of Harrogate’s Harlow Lodge David Simister.

He said:

“Obviously we are a secret society, but we are hoping to open it up to a new, younger audience on TikTok.”

Harrogate’s Royal Hall to feature in next video

A third TikTok video which will be a take on the Kingsman movies – complete with bowler hats – is set to be filmed outside Harrogate’s Royal Hall on Saturday.

It follows the launch of a video on the The Province of Yorkshire West Riding’s website last month, which throws light on what Freemasonry is all about.

The film features a number of Freemasons, including a university undergraduate, retired firefighter, former soldier and a financial consultant, explaining what enticed them to join.

It also shows the splendour of a Masonic ceremony, the charitable side of the organisation and, more importantly, the diversity of its members from so many different walks of life and social backgrounds.

Read more:

Based on the old West Riding of Yorkshire, the Province has more than 5,000 members and over 180 individual Lodges, and covers an area from Sheffield in the south, to Ripon in the north, Goole in the east and across to High Bentham in the west.

Five lodges in Harrogate

There are five individual lodges in Harrogate, with around 400 members who meet at the Masonic Hall on Station Avenue.

James Newman, who will become the Province’s most senior member at a ceremony held in Harrogate next month, said:

“Freemasonry in Yorkshire dates back well over 200 hundred years and, in a nutshell, it is about making good men better.

“Our members range in age from those in their late teens and early twenties to those who are in their nineties and older and they hail from many different professions, ethnic backgrounds and religions.’’

Mr Newman said charity was at the heart of Freemasonry, with the Province of Yorkshire giving more than £200,000 to a variety of local causes each year, including schools, hospices, youth organisations and community groups.

New restaurant to open at former Bistrot Pierre site in Harrogate

A new restaurant celebrating “exceptional British produce” is set to open at the former Le Bistrot Pierre site in Harrogate this month.

Work is underway to transform the building into Samsons restaurant and bar, dubbed a “vibrant yet elegant dining and drinking destination”.

The spacious unit on Cheltenham Parade has remained empty since July 2020 after Le Bistrot Pierre became one of the first restaurant casualties of the pandemic.

Managing director Mark Morris said:

“I am thrilled to bring the people of Harrogate and the surrounding area a unique drink and dining location in the heart of the town.”

The team behind Samsons includes executive chef Josh Whitehead, who is known for his work with the Harewood Food and Drink Project. He was also a semi-finalist on MasterChef: The Professionals 2016. Andy Castle, who was head chef at the Ox Club, Leeds, is also involved.

No opening date has been announced yet.

Roof garden

It aims to be the first carbon-neutral restaurant in the UK. This includes plans to launch a full roof garden with a wild flower meadow and bee hives next year.

The ‘design-led’ restaurant, which will offer an all-day dining space with plush booth seating, will have space for up to 182 guests across the main restaurant and bar, as well as a snug room for private wine-tasting.

Read more:

Samsons is currently recruiting staff, with a job advertisement for various positions stating:

“Samsons is unique, reflecting its heritage and location, but founded on the core values and principles. Sustainability, provenance, seasonality and traceability shines through.

“We will be striving to be the best restaurant in Harrogate.”

The empty premises were due to be occupied by Tomahawk Steakhouse, however the restaurant chain is now planning to move into Solita Food Hall’s space on Parliament Street, which closed last year after just six months.

The steakhouse had planned to open in January, but with the change of location it is now planning to launch in April.

The site was also formerly Jamie Oliver’s restaurant.

All roads lead to Barnard Castle School thanks to transport link boost

This article is sponsored by Barnard Castle School.

It is now easier than ever to reach Barnard Castle School thanks to a raft of new transport links, including from the Harrogate district.

Set in the heart of the stunning Northern countryside, the independent school, known affectionately as ‘Barney, is well-served by a growing number transport connections, making it even more accessible.

The school currently offers 10 bus routes as part of its comprehensive transport services, which also cater for flexi passengers.

In 2020, two new routes were launched in Ripon and Yarm, which has helped to meet increased demand and to support the school’s existing community.

Tony Jackson, headmaster at Barnard Castle School, said:

“We are fortunate that Barnard Castle is surrounded by open countryside and areas of natural beauty, yet is close enough to major towns and cities.

“External regional transport links offer the best of both worlds, in addition to our robust bus services.

“People often forget that we are only two-and-a-half hours away from London via train, which is a massive advantage.”

Mr Jackson said in nearby Tees Valley, significant investments had greatly strengthened the region’s transport infrastructure, including the re-emergence of Tees Valley International Airport in recent years and the planned major development of Darlington Railway Station.

He added:

“Barney is a well-positioned campus in our region and remains one of the most beautiful and safest places to live in the entire United Kingdom.”

Pupils at Barnard Castle School.

His comments come ahead of open mornings at the co-educational independent day and boarding school, which has a history that stretches back to the 19th century.

The events, which take place on March 8 for Sixth Form, and March 19 for the Prep and Senior Schools, are aimed at giving parents and pupils an opportunity to get a feel for the school, inspect the facilities and chat with peers and staff.

To find out more about what makes education at Barnard Castle School so special, contact a member of the admissions team on 01833 696030 or email admissions@barneyschool.org.uk

‘Exponential’ growth in demand for North Yorkshire children’s mental health services

Mental health services for children are struggling to cope with an “exponential growth in demand” since the pandemic, NHS bosses have admitted.

The warning comes amid concerns the volume of children being referred for treatment could be “just the tip of the iceberg”.

A meeting of North Yorkshire County Council’s young people’s scrutiny committee was told despite increased mental health provision for children across England’s largest county, NHS waiting lists were soaring with the majority of children waiting for three months to be seen.

The extent of the issue in North Yorkshire has been exposed less than a week after a national Nuffield Trust and Health Foundation study revealed the impact of covid-19 had led to an unprecedented increase in demand for mental health services for children.

It warned a generation of children are at risk of being left behind because of a combination of soaring waiting times for services and the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on their mental health.

Rising waiting times, including for urgent cases, have come despite the Government’s response including £79 million nationally to accelerate previous plans to improve children’s wellbeing and mental healthcare provision in education and healthcare settings, as well as other initiatives.

Read more:

Tees Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust bosses told the scrutiny meeting its community-based mental health team was now treating more than 2,500 children across the county, and referrals to its services had risen from about 100 a month at start of pandemic to more than 300 a month during 2021.

NHS and council health bosses emphasised the children’s mental health system was under great strain, exacerbated due to difficulties recruiting and retaining staff and increasing numbers of complex cases.

The meeting heard there had been a particular spike in the number of youngsters needing help for eating disorders.

Councillors were told just one in four of children found to need “urgent” help for eating disorders were being seen within the one-week national standard.

Councillors said they feared children, and in particular pre-school age and teenagers, had not had the normal chances to develop social skills during the pandemic, the impact on their mental health could be in the years to come.

Escrick councillor Richard Musgrave said: 

“I am deeply concerned that we are seeing the tip of the iceberg at the moment in terms of children’s and young people’s mental health.”

Selby councillor Stephanie Duckett added: 

“Rather than being at the peak of the problem we could just be at the start.”

In response, a boss for the NHS trust said it was forecasting an increase in demand for children’s mental health services over the next five years, but declined to reveal the extent of the expected rise.