A YOUTH forum for Cam and Dursley is launching a campaign this month to raise awareness of self-harm and how to prevent it.

The Cam and Dursley Youth Forum is working in partnership with local organisations to launch the high profile campaign this January, looking at self-harm among young people.

The “In Need Of…” campaign is responding to an increasingly prominent issue that affects the lives of many young people across the country.

It will be launched with a special event at Rednock School in Dursley later this month.

Lee Beldam of Cam and Dursley Youth Forum said: “We would like to spread the awareness of self-harm as it is a growing issue and we hope to promote the support that is available in Cam, Dursley and beyond.”

Organisers hope the event will attract lots of people, whether they have been directly affected by this issue or know of someone who has.

It is open to everyone who is interested in learning more about self-harm and the prevention of it, including young people, parents, carers and organisations.

People are invited to come along and meet representatives from a range of organisations that specialise in both raising the awareness and the prevention of self-harm.

There will also be a mix of live music, entertainment and a range of stalls and free activities to try, run by World Jungle, including Henna hand art, circus skills and Samba drumming.

Becky Cassidy of Youth and Community Services said: “Youth and community Services have been supporting Cam and Dursley Youth Forum with the ‘In Need Of…’ campaign from the beginning. The event’s aim is to promote the fact that self-harm is a thing that usually goes unnoticed.

"The point of our event is to attract as many people that know what self-harm is - whether they’ve been directly affected by it or if someone they know has.”

The event will take place at Rednock School on Thursday, January 29, from 3pm to 5pm, and is organised by the Cam and Dursley Youth Forum with support Stroud District Council, Youth & Community Services, World Jungle and the Tabernacle Church.

For more information contact Ben Ward from World Jungle on 07889 512644 or email ben@worldjungle.org.uk. You can also visit www.worldjungle.org.uk.