As part of our 1,500 members celebrations, we caught up with one of the newest members of VONNE, BlueJay Wellness, to find out more about their work and what their membership means to them.
BlueJay Wellness, a North East–based social enterprise supporting young people’s mental health and wellbeing, has secured its first social investment from the People’s Postcode Lottery. The funding will enable the organisation to expand its reach, strengthen one-to-one support, and launch an innovative new sensory support product designed to help young people regulate their emotions and prepare for learning, work, and life.
“Securing this investment feels like a real milestone,” said Lisa Cryer, Director of BlueJay Wellness. “It’s not just about financial support—it’s about the opportunity to grow our impact. This means we can bring our services and products to more young people, whether that’s in schools, community spaces, or youth services. Our goal is to give every young person practical strategies to build resilience, manage challenges, and thrive.”
BlueJay’s work is centred on making wellbeing accessible wherever young people are. The organisation has plans to partner with groups such as South Tyneside Council Youth Service and other community organisations, taking time to understand the barriers young people face and shaping support around their real needs. From short activities that can fit into busy sessions, to personalised one-to-one approaches, to sensory support that help with focus and emotional regulation, BlueJay is building a toolkit of options that can be used flexibly across settings.
Alongside this exciting step forward, Lisa has signed up for Bronze Membership+ with VONNE, the regional support body for the VCSE sector. “Being part of VONNE is about connection,” she explained. “Working in this sector can sometimes feel like flying solo, but VONNE creates a space where collaboration, support, and shared learning really thrive. The Health & Wellbeing Network, especially, feels like the perfect place for BlueJay. It’s inspiring to be part of a community where organisations are all working towards healthier, more resilient futures, each in their own way.”
With the backing of the People’s Postcode Lottery and the support of the VONNE community, BlueJay Wellness is looking ahead to a new chapter - one where more young people across the region can benefit from positive mental health and support in the way they want it.
Find out more about BlueJay’s work at: www.BlueJayWellness.co.uk.