What is the name of your organization?
Streams Learning Hub
What is the name of your solution?
Flourishing Network
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
"An online platform connecting learners and families struggling post-Covid, offering healing, support, and learning opportunities.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Bristol, UK
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
GBR
What type of organization is your solution team?
Nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
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What specific problem are you solving?
In August 2024, the Good Childhood Report revealed that British teenagers are the most unhappy in Europe, underscoring a serious mental health crisis. This is reflected in alarming school attendance data: 20% of pupils were persistently absent in 2023/24, missing 10% or more of school sessions. While slightly improved from the previous year, this remains significantly higher than the 10.9% seen in 2018/19. These figures highlight a growing struggle among young people to engage with education, largely due to the emotional and psychological toll of the pandemic.
When young people are trapped in a cycle of stress and anxiety, learning takes a back seat as they focus on managing their emotional well-being. It’s difficult to thrive academically when so much energy is spent coping with life’s pressures.
Our platform addresses this by offering a vital space for young people and their families to connect with others who understand their struggles. It links them with professionals and organizations that provide the support needed to heal and recover. Through these connections, our platform helps young people not just survive, but thrive, guiding them toward new opportunities for learning and personal growth.
What is your solution?
Our online platform created through the HeartBeat App connects young people, their families, and support organizations in a simple, easy-to-use space. Designed to reduce loneliness and isolation, the platform provides a supportive community where users can access resources, services, and find others who understand their challenges. Young people can connect with peer groups, mentors, and organizations offering mental health support, tutoring, or recreational activities. Parents can access guidance and community support to help navigate their child’s journey.
The platform allows users to create profiles and connect with those facing similar struggles, fostering a sense of belonging. A unique feature is the "pay forward" model, where those who can contribute financially fund services for those who cannot, ensuring no one is excluded.
Heartbeat uses secure, user-friendly technology to protect privacy while making it easy for families and organizations to connect, share resources, and offer support in a safe, welcoming environment. By offering these connections, we empower young people and their families to heal, recover, and thrive in a community that understands their needs.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Our solution serves young people aged 11-18 and their families who are struggling with the emotional and educational impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these young people face mental health challenges, isolation, and disengagement from school. Families, especially in underserved or low-income areas, often lack the resources and support systems needed to address their child’s struggles effectively.
This group is currently underserved as traditional support networks, such as schools and community organizations, frequently fail to offer personalized, easily accessible help. Financial barriers, lack of awareness about available services, and limited access to local support make it difficult for families to navigate their children’s needs.
Our platform directly addresses these challenges by providing an accessible, online space where young people and their families can connect with others who understand their struggles. They can find peer support, mentors, and access vital services like mental health support and educational resources. The "pay forward" model ensures that those who can afford to contribute fund services for those who cannot, making the platform inclusive. By fostering these connections and providing critical resources, our solution helps young people heal, recover, and ultimately thrive both personally and academically.