The Duchess of Cambridge looked elegant in a leopard print dress as she visited the Shout mental health text service in London today.
Kate, 40, donned a £355 khaki green dress from US designer Derek Lam to meet the clinical supervisors, volunteers and fundraisers who keep the service running.
Shout, which was launched in 2019 with a founding grant from The Royal Foundation, provides round-the-clock support from clinical supervisors and over 2,500 trained volunteers to people struggling with their mental health.
The Duchess’ visit marks Shout’s milestone achievement of one million conversations with those in need.
Walk on the wild side! Kate looked elegant in a leopard print dress on a visit to the Shout mental health text service in London
Perfectly polished: The Duchess of Cambridge spent time speaking to volunteers, clinicians and fundraisers at Shout
The Duchess’ visit today marks Shout’s milestone achievement of reaching one million conversations with those in need
High-end meets high street! The Duchess of Cambridge wore £10 gold plated hoop earrings from ASOS for the outing
The Duchess’ dress, believed to be a new addition to her wardrobe, is made from a light crepe de chine fabric and features feminine pussy bow detailing and chic buttoned cuffs.
Showcasing her flair for pairing high-end frocks with high street accessories, Kate added a pair of £10 gold plated hoop earrings from ASOS. She finished the look with a black waist belt and a pair of black suede heeled boots.
The Duchess, who debuted a darker hair colour at her first engagement of the year last week, wore her brunette locks in bouncy curls.
During her visit, the Duchess will meet clinical supervisors, volunteers and fundraisers to thank them for their invaluable efforts to ensure that vital mental health support is available across the UK at any time of day or night.
The Duchess will also hear how the service is inviting members of the public to become Shout Volunteers to meet growing demand for support.
Shout is the UK’s only 24/7 text messaging support service, offering free and confidential help for anyone who is struggling to cope.
Making her entrance! The Duchess of Cambridge wore her Derek Lam frock with a favourite pair of black Ralph Lauren boots
During her visit, the Duchess will meet clinical supervisors, volunteers and fundraisers to thank them for their invaluable efforts to ensure that vital mental health support is available across the UK at any time of day or night
Since its launch in May 2019, Shout has taken over 1,000,000 conversations with people who are anxious, stressed, depressed, suicidal or overwhelmed and who need immediate support.
The service, which was researched, developed and launched with a founding grant from The Royal Foundation as a legacy of the Heads Together campaign, provides round the clock support from clinical supervisors and over 2,500 trained volunteers to ensure no one has to face their problems alone.
The Duchess will learn how data from the conversations taking place on the Shout service can be used to provide insights on mental health in the UK, with suicide, depression and anxiety or stress being cited as the main reasons why texters have sought support.
She will also view a live demonstration of the platform before joining a small group of Shout Volunteers to hear about their experiences of helping those in distress, and how they have personally benefitted from taking part in the service, including by gaining new skills and developing a sense of purpose.
Shout has seen usage on its platform increase by 140 per cent since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and The Duchess will hear how the service will need even more volunteers to join its ranks to ensure that it can meet this growing demand.
Her Royal Highness will also meet those carrying out fundraising efforts to help Shout to continue to deliver its crucial services including thirteen-year-old Leo Street, who raised over £8,000 by sleeping outside for the entirety of 2021, and Cassie Waters who began raising money for Shout after using the service herself when she suffered mental health challenges in 2021
For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel
Source link