New program will provide mental health support for pre-teens in the Eurobodalla

Marymead received $383,133 to fund its Regenerate: NSW family and relationship counselling program, to provide early intervention outreach support for an age group often referred to as the "missing middle".

It is one of 25 projects in the Eurobodalla and Bega Shires to receive a grant from the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, co-funded by the Australian and NSW Governments.

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Acting CEO Tracey Hall said the team was so excited to hear they would be able to run the program in the Eurobodalla, modelled after a similar successful program in Canberra called New Horizons.

"There's always been a need in the Eurobodalla for a program like this, but particularly following the bushfires and then COVID lockdown, that need really increased," she said.

"We have full confidence our model will assist the young people we will work with because it combines elements of counselling, case management, referral, case coordination, working with schools and group work to achieve the best outcomes for the individual child."

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The grant will fund the program for 12 months during which time Marymead will build relationships with other organisations and seek ongoing funding.

"We will be working with other service providers such as headspace and Campbell Page and we're keen not to duplicate their work but service the whole age range," Ms Hall said.

"There are mental health support services for children over 12 but very little for the under-12 age group and there is strong evidence to demonstrate the need for it."