The Duchess met with those working for the charity, as well as children who are part of the mentoring programme and other Chance UK supporters.
Learning more about the early intervention strategy, which is central to Chance UK’s success, she mingled with guests and discussed the organisation’s work.
Speaking at the event Chance UK Chief Executive Gracia McGrath described the Duchess’s support for early intervention as a “phenomenal” boost.
“We have never had an advocate at this level,” she said.
The Duchess has taken an interest in early prevention this year, having released video calling for more to be done during Children’s Mental Health Week last February.
Ms McGrath explained that, especially in times of constrained public spending, it is vital that resources seeking to improve children’s lives were not simply used for “firefighting”.
Identifying warning signs and acting early on in a child’s development is key, she added, and not just because the outcomes for children and society are improved but “even if all you care about is money, this will save a lot of money in the future.”
Chance UK provides one-to-one mentoring and family support for children whose behaviour has been identified as challenging, and the only organization in the UK that specializes in primary school age children ages 5-11.
One of the children who had been through the scheme, also spoke at the event, paying tribute to the transformative effect Chance UK, and his mentor Nick, had had on his life.
Kessington Ladipo, who is currently on a career break from the Treasury and is studying PPE at Goldsmith’s University in London, described how as a child he had become anti-social and angry due to issues at school and within his community.
“Before I met Nick I never really had anyone to talk to, no one knew how to deal with me,” he said.
The mentoring period, which lasts a year, was spent doing a range of activities, including going to football matches, building model cars and making pancakes.
During that time, Mr Ladipo said, Nick “taught me how to interact with others and be part of society.”
Now a volunteer himself, and a strong advocate for passing on the lessons he learned, Mr Lapido concluded: “You just need someone to believe in you. Lots of young people need Chance UK.
“Saving one life can save many lives, and maybe even save a generation.”
Whilst there are many examples of children like this, who have benefited from Chance UK’s work, the charity is also keen to measure its effectiveness, which is why it is currently undertaking a Randomised Control Trial.
The assessment will subject the early intervention programme to rigorous evaluation that will determine its impact on children’s behaviour and emotional wellbeing.
Speaking confidently about the process, Ms McGrath said: “Our programme makes a difference and we are keen to measure that difference.”
In the meantime, however, inspirational young people like Kessington Ladipo are a shining example of how one supportive relationship can transform a person’s future.
And with the Duchess of Cambridge’s backing this organisation looks set to change many more lives for the better.