Teen band Split Second will be playing in Ross next month to promote mental health and wellbeing for young people.

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust have teamed up with the band as part of the mental health campaign across the two counties. Residents are invited to come along to one of the five free live sets between August 1 to 3. They’re taking the stage at Market Square, Ross-on-Wye on August 3, at 10.30am to 11.30am.

Split Second are a Worcestershire based band comprising of four 14-15-year-olds who have written a new song, Reach Out, about the impact the pandemic has had on their mental health.

Levi Husbands, songwriter on Reach Out and guitarist in Split Second said: “Lockdown had a big impact on my own mental health which led me to the NHS and the writing of this song. It’s serendipitous that the two have come together and we’re now collaborating with the Trust to launch this exciting project. We’re really proud of the song and we hope it reaches out to as many people struggling with their own mental health issues and provides a sense of empathy that they’re not on their own and there are people and organisations out there who can help.”

Alongside a live performance of the track, the event will host information on health and wellbeing support for young people and their families.

Trudy Neal, participation and engagement worker at the trust said: “The pandemic has put a huge strain on many young people who were already struggling with their mental health. We hope these events will signpost to a range of local support available for young people and their families.”