Increasing numbers of young people are missing from education, not because they are not interested in learning or have been excluded from school, but because they suffer from severe depression and social anxiety. What causes this state of mental trauma differs between individuals.

Bullying, abuse, mental health problems or life-long conditions are among the most common causes that lead young people to hide in their bedrooms. There, they isolate themselves from the company of others, from school and from society.

This causes a downward spiral of social isolation, marginalisation, missed education and deteriorating mental ill-health. They become ?hidden' at home and their voices are ignored. They risk not finding their place in the adult world.

What we do

Red Balloon is an alternative to school which enables young people to re-engage with education. We have both ?physical' and virtual Centres to best meet students' needs.

Students are at the heart of what we do, and there is an equal focus on mental wellbeing alongside education. Students can negotiate their curriculum to ensure their interests and goals are being met, and their personal development achievements are highly valued. Through engaging with Red Balloon, students can grow as individuals, restore their confidence, develop resilience, and build the skills they need to successfully handle returning to education, work, or further training.

We have an online Centre, RBAir, which provides a blended online and face-to-face provision. Students are provided with a laptop to access online sessions, and log on at the relevant times each day to undertake real-time sessions with a dedicated teacher or therapist. In addition, social and learning activities take place face-to-face where students can travel in to dedicated student hubs to meet other RBAir students and take part in lessons and activities.