10/02/2022
Young Mulberry’s Peer Support group was created by the Durham & Darlington Single Point of Access (SPA) team, part of Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, with the aim of the group to support children’s mental health and wellbeing, through providing new experiences and building positive relationships with people and the community.
Amanda Hadland, a community support worker at the trust, said: “Sometimes we often take for granted things like going to college, the cinema, theatres or hairdressers. Social anxiety in children and young people can often impact on their mental health, creating a lot of struggles and difficulty to make friends or participate in activities.”
The trust is shining a spotlight on available support groups and activities across Children’s Mental Health Week.
In a recent project the Peers team have paired up with Darlington Hippodrome Theatre to work on their ‘Arts Award’, exposing them to new experiences and encouraging team building, creativity and respect. The Arts Award can be awarded to any young person aged 11 to 25 and the Peers group are currently aiming for their bronze certificate, which they hope to complete and achieve in the next few months through ongoing workshops at the Hippodrome.
To achieve their Arts Award, young people participate in arts activities, experience arts events, get inspired by artists and share their arts skills with others. Young people create a portfolio and keep a record of their creative journey. Throughout the process the Peers were supported by an Arts Award adviser, acting as assessor, facilitator and mentor.
Amanda comments: “I am so proud of the group for their accomplishments so far, and as a group they have shown how much they support and encourage each other. It’s really great to see and we hope to start a photography workshop and purchase our own camera for mindful activities. We also are currently planning to create a garden or an allotment for some further team and confidence building projects.”
If you are a young person and would like to access free, safe and anonymous mental health support, visit www.kooth.com.
The Recovery College Online has free information, advice and tips for young people. To find out more visit www.recoverycollegeonline.co.uk/young-people.
