How The Chesterton House Foundation is Supporting Positive Social

We were delighted to award a £1,000 grant to Positive Social, a charity dedicated to helping young people survive and thrive in today’s social media world.

Founded by Mark and Kerry Saxby — parents and social media specialists — Positive Social was created in response to the impact that social media was having on children’s wellbeing. The charity works with secondary schools to educate students about both the positives and pitfalls of social media, giving them the tools to use it safely and responsibly.

Why this work matters

Research shows a sharp rise in mental health issues and self-harm among children linked to social media use. In 2023, over 92% of children aged 10–15 went online daily or almost daily, and some engaged in risky behaviours such as accepting friend requests from strangers or sharing their location publicly.

Positive Social focuses on pupils in years 7 and 8 — a crucial time when many begin using social media. By reaching them early, the charity equips children with the knowledge and skills to interact online safely, protect their mental wellbeing, and form positive online habits that can last throughout secondary school.

How the grant was used

The £1,000 funding supported the direct delivery of sessions in two or three secondary schools across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. Each session lasted around 45–60 minutes and reached approximately 500 pupils.

Through interactive role-play, group work, and videos, pupils learned to:

• Understand how social media works, including algorithms

• Interact with others online in a healthy and responsible way

• Detect, avoid and report bullying or inappropriate behaviour

• Consider the impact of online actions on friendships and mental health

• Commit to positive changes, such as reducing screen time or focusing on hobbies

These sessions were delivered by experienced, DBS-checked youth workers and school speakers, creating a safe and engaging environment where pupils could participate openly.

Supporting children across the region

Positive Social’s work continues to grow in response to increasing demand. By delivering free sessions to pupils regardless of background, the charity helps overcome socio-economic barriers and ensures support is accessible to all children.

As a business with strong roots in the East Midlands, we were proud to support Positive Social’s vital work. The grant helped ensure more young people could navigate the challenges of social media with confidence, understanding and resilience.