On 21st and 22nd June 2025, NHS worker Steph Stinson will abseil Portmsouth’s Spinnaker Tower in the Brighterway 2025 Abseil Challenge to raise funds for young people’s mental health.
Steph is a passionate advocate for young people’s mental health and a dedicated member of the New Forest CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) team at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
She joins people from across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in abseiling the iconic 100-metre landmark to raise awareness and vital funds for Brighterway. As Southern Health’s official charity, Brighterway’s crucial work funds projects that go above and beyond what the NHS can provide.
Poignant personal motivations prompted Steph to change careers, devoting herself to supporting young people with their mental health. For her, this isn’t just another fundraiser — it’s a powerful opportunity to raise awareness, support recovery, and give something back to a service close to her heart.
The Great Work CAMHS Does
CAMHS supports children and young people who struggle with their emotional wellbeing and mental health. Through a range of pathways and treatment methods, the service helps them build tools, understanding, and confidence to manage what they’re going through.
“I see every day how hard young people are working to build themselves back up,” Steph says. “And it’s a privilege to be part of that. This challenge is just one way I can give back to the service and the young people who inspire me.”
“I decided to be that voice that I never knew I needed when I was a teenager – that’s what I’m trying to become,” she continues, “So if I can do something like abseiling down the Spinnaker Tower to bring something back to CAMHS, I will.”
“I want to be the person I never knew I needed.”
Steph is now a Support Time and Recovery (STAR) worker, based within core CAMHS in the New Forest team. She works closely with people aged 5-18 who’ve been referred into the service through different avenues such as the early help and single point of access (SPA) teams — supporting them in real-world environments, practically embedding therapeutic skills they’re learning, and building their confidence up beyond clinical sessions.
Steph’s work with CAMHS is incredibly meaningful. She changed her career to do more than she was previously able to in an education role. Now, she feels like she can truly make a difference.
“I always wanted to have a positive effect on the system, to make sure people could get the best treatment possible,” Steph explains. “In my career in education, I couldn’t do this directly, because I wasn’t at the front line helping children really build up their resilience, or deliver recovery focused learning – but now I can do this within my role as a STaR worker and finally feel like I’m supporting young people in a way that will make a difference.”
Steph’s motivation to improve support resources
Steph passionately illustrates how overstretched NHS mental health services are: “The change in waiting times stems from an already-overstretched service compounded by the backlog from covid. We have young people who are waiting a very long time to be seen at times when they need support most. If we can improve support resources, we can extend the work we do further, for more children, quickly and effectively.”
Conversely, Steph also discusses how improved funding and resources can powerfully support children and young people with their mental health challenges early – because it is harder to rehabilitate ingrained thought processes and traumas in adults.
“Children have the ability to learn very quickly, they’re like sponges – so if you don’t catch things early, it… could become life-changing – but, it also could become life-changing in a positive way if you do catch things early!”
Steph’s love for her work is tangible, and she recognises the ripple effect that emanates not only from her role, but from promoting public support for charitable events and by discussing, de-stigmatising and changing opinions on mental health. “You can see where what you do comes directly back around, and really makes a difference,” she says.
Whether it’s graded exposure therapy in a coffee shop to practice social interactions, or grounding techniques on a beach, Steph’s focus is on helping young people feel safe, supported, and capable in their everyday lives.
“It’s really important to allow children to know that they can use their voice, they don’t have to be silent – because illness thrives in silence, and we’re in a world where we need to speak about these things,” she says.
“We want to help young people feel they could help not only themselves, but also other young people to feel less alone. To know that they’re not the only ones battling with their mental health can be a relief, so we need to make the conversation more visible and in the forefront of peoples minds – not a taboo subject to be silent about.”
Steph Abseils Portsmouth Spinnaker Tower to Raise Awareness for CAMHS
This same motivation underpins Steph’s decision to abseil the Spinnaker Tower. It’s not about being brave. It’s about making things better.
“Someone who shows up, not just in the therapy room, but out in the world. Someone who helps to make the work they’re doing in sessions real and relevant to them. For me, this is about advocacy,” Steph says.
“It’s about shining a light on the brilliant work CAMHS is doing, and showing people — especially young people — that recovery is possible. They can use their voice, they’re allowed to have a voice – because illness thrives in silence,” she continues.
Self-confessed “daredevil” Steph loves a challenge, having undertaken everything from volunteering to charity skydives. “I’ve never done [an abseil] before, but I have jumped out of a plane before for charity!”
What abseiling the Spinnaker Tower means to Steph
To raise awareness around her work as a STaR worker, she posts regularly on Twitter. But the Spinnaker Tower Abseil holds a particular meaning.
“This challenge gives me the opportunity to do something visible and positive that supports the service I work in. I want to help improve the experience of mental health care for young people. The funds raised will go directly towards doing that.”
Steph expands, “It’s not just about donations. It’s about visibility. When people see posts about fundraising efforts, they might start asking questions: ‘Who are CAMHS? Why are they fundraising? What do they need?’ That curiosity leads to awareness. It tells people “this is an issue, this is what we’re doing about it, and this is how you can help.”
Why this challenge matters — and where your donations go
Mental health support in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is needed now more than ever. Charities like Brighterway step in to provide added support that helps people thrive, not just survive.
By fundraising for local mental health projects, you’re helping to:
✅Fill the gaps in care – providing creative therapies, peer-led activities, and recovery-focused support not always available through statutory services.
✅Support people where they live – reaching those in rural or isolated communities.
✅Invest in long-term wellbeing – to steadily build resilience, confidence, and connection .
✅Empower real lives – from group sessions to one-to-one recovery work.
Take part in the Spinnaker Tower Abseil
Feel like being brave for a great cause? Register your interest now to join us in supporting Steph as she abseils Portsmouth’s iconic Spinnaker Tower. You can help take mental health support for young people to new heights.
✅ No previous experience needed
✅ All safety equipment and support provided
✅ Fundraising target applies
✅ Spaces are limited – don’t miss out!
Besides the adrenaline rush, you’ll take in beautiful views and create forever memories. Participants will receive a medal, GoPro video, and group/individual photos to mark the day.
✅Registration costs just £50
✅Each supporter is encouraged to try and raise £500 or more
To stay informed, why not join our dedicated Spinnaker Abseil WhatsApp Group:
Support Steph’s fundraiser
If abseiling isn’t your thing, you can still be part of Steph’s mission by donating to her JustGiving page. Every donation helps to enhance CAMHS provision — from funding therapy equipment and creative projects to wellbeing spaces for young people.
💜 Donate to Steph’s JustGiving page
Steph hopes that by raising awareness through the abseil, more people will understand what CAMHS is — and isn’t.
“There’s still stigma around mental health, especially for young people,” she says. “Sometimes people feel nervous about reaching out. But CAMHS is here to walk alongside them, to empower them — not to label them.”
Help us take mental health support to new heights
The Spinnaker Tower Challenge isn’t just about the descent, it’s about the impact. Your involvement — by fundraising, donating, sharing Steph’s story or your own — makes a difference.
Together, we can help ensure more young people experience CAMHS as a service that welcomes, supports, and uplifts them. Let’s make that visible. Let’s make that possible.
🔗 Sign up for the challenge
💜Donate to Steph’s fundraiser
