The Duchess of Cambridge visited mental
health text line Shout on Wednesday, to mark the service reaching over one
million conversations with those in need.
During her public engagement, Kate met clinical supervisors, volunteers
and fundraisers to thank them for their invaluable efforts to ensure that
mental health support is available across the UK at any time of day or night.
The royal mum-of-three also viewed a live demonstration of the platform
before joining volunteers to hear about their experiences and how they have
gained new skills.
The use of the platform has jumped by 140% since the start of
the pandemic, and Kate was told of the need for more volunteers to meet the
growing demand.
The Duchess met those carrying out fundraising efforts for Shout,
including 13-year-old Scout, Leo Street, who raised over £8,000 by sleeping
outside for the entirety of 2021.
Kate joked: “There really isn’t a big enough Scout badge for
that. What you achieved is really inspiring. You must have had some impressive
kit to keep warm.”
Leo, from Swanley, slept under a heavy-duty tarpaulin to shield him from the
extremities of the weather. He told the Duchess his next fundraising adventure
will be to cycle to Scotland during half term.
Kate also met Cassie Waters who began raising money for the text line
after using the service herself when she suffered mental health challenges in
2021.
Shout is the UK’s only 24/7 text messaging support service, offering
free and confidential help for anyone who is struggling to cope.
Since its launch in May 2019, Shout has taken over 1,000,000
conversations with people who are anxious, stressed, depressed, suicidal, or
overwhelmed and who need immediate support.
The service was researched and developed with the Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge’s Royal Foundation as a legacy of the Heads Together campaign and was
set up in May 2019 with an initial £2m grant from The Royal Foundation.
The Duchess debuted a new army green leopard print shirt dress,
£159, by Derek Lam 10 Crosby at
The Outnet, teaming the frock with black heeled boots and a waist-cinching
belt.
Kate also brought back her twisted gold hoop earrings, £10, from ASOS.
