Journaling Matters CIC is delighted to announce that we have secured National Lottery Funding to run FREE junk journaling sessions for young people in Cheshire East!
Pages for Change: Empowering Young People in Cheshire East
Pages for Change is a National Lottery-funded project from Journaling Matters CIC, designed to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people (aged 16–21) across Cheshire East. Our mission is simple: to make creative, evidence-based journaling accessible, enjoyable, and genuinely helpful for any young person who needs a safe space to express themselves.
What We Do
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Free, Friendly Workshops: We run weekly junk journaling sessions at Crewe Library, offering all materials, snacks, and a welcoming community.
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For Everyone: No experience needed - our sessions are neurodivergent-friendly, accessible, and open to all backgrounds.
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Skills for Life: Workshops blend expressive writing, creativity, and proven wellbeing techniques to help participants:
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Boost mood and resilience
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Find new ways to cope with anxiety, stress, and low mood
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Build confidence and social connections
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How We Measure Impact
We use a youth-friendly, emoji-based wellbeing scale at the start and end of each session, plus short feedback forms. Early results show that participants’ moods improve by an average of 1.8 points on a 5-point scale after just one workshop. Over 75% report feeling better able to express themselves and more hopeful about the future.
Our Reach & Ambition
With two years of Lottery funding, our goal is to reach at least 100 young people in Cheshire East - through in-person and online workshops, outreach, and partnerships with local organisations. Every young person who joins helps shape the project, and we’re always looking for new faces!
Get Involved
If you’re a young person, parent, or local partner interested in Pages for Change, contact us or drop in to a Saturday morning session at Crewe Library. Together, we’re making mental health support creative, accessible, and community-powered.
