A Standlake charity is calling on political parties to keep children and young people at the heart of their policies ahead of the general election.

The Mulberry Bush has unveiled its first ever Charity Election Manifesto, which highlights the complexity of needs concerning children and young people.

It also highlights aspects from early intervention to support around adoptive families and training for those working with children.

John Turberville, CEO of Mulberry Bush, said: "As CEO of The Mulberry Bush charity, I am excited to share our first manifesto with you.

"As a national charity Transforming Troubled Lives Together with many of you, the manifesto asks whichever party is elected to focus their efforts and energies on six key areas that we believe will help transform the lives of people troubled and traumatised as children.

"These six important areas would help break the cycle which create such vulnerability, for so many people."

The Mulberry Bush is a therapeutic community, registered as a children’s home and a non-maintained residential special school. 

It said it believes every child, with support and a community, can overcome their challenges.

Since 1948, it has been helping children and those around them through specialist therapeutic services and activities.

It said it sees young people's "untold stories, possibilities, dreams, and untapped potential – and believe in their ability to rewrite their destiny".