YMCA extends programme to deliver mental health training for schools across Fenland and East Cambridgeshire
Variety of training courses enable education providers to identify the social, environmental and mental health needs of young people.
Last year our Menu of Services secured £50,000 from the Opportunity Area Programme to deliver mental health training to teachers and early year providers across Fenland and East Cambridgeshire. The training programme has been hugely successful which is why we have worked with the Opportunity Area Partnership Board to build on the success and extend the offer for another 12 months, so that even more schools can access additional training.
Since the programme began in September 2018, we have trained 650 members of staff in 30 schools within the area. Feedback shows that over 95% of participants felt the course was relevant to their role with 92% stating their overall confidence had improved within the subject area.
One primary school teacher said: “The trainer’s expertise and passion really came across when he talked about attachment and how to support children.”
Another Head Teacher added: “The sessions were excellent and really thought provoking. Many tangible actions were taught, which we can now put into practice.”
Tricia Pritchard, Chair of the Fenland and East Cambridgeshire Opportunity Area Partnership Board, commented: “Strengthening the effectiveness of support for children and young people with mental health concerns is a key priority in the Opportunity Area’s delivery plan. The emotional well-being of children and young people plays an important role in enabling them to thrive, achieve and fulfil their potential. I am, therefore, delighted that so many staff from schools and early years settings have already accessed and positively responded to the training that YMCA Trinity Group has delivered.”
Our Menu of Services project has now extended the offer until next academic year to give more schools access to the funding, or for those who have already undertaken training to apply for courses they haven’t yet accessed. This will enable more young people facing mental health struggles to benefit from the programme.
Ryan Armes, Mental Health & Education Manager at YMCA Trinity Group added: “Mental health is a growing concern across the country, with 50% of young people’s mental health conditions starting before they are 14 years old. We are delighted to be able to extend the programme to support a greater number of schools to address the issue and build effective provision.
“Training is just one part of YMCA’s core offering in the area of mental wellbeing. We provide a whole range of essential services for schools to improve the physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing of their young people and staff including counselling, whole school audits and peer support campaigns. We are also proud to offer Thrive, a mental health mobile app which is proven to prevent, detect and treat common mental health conditions.”
To apply for the courses, education providers should contact YMCA on 01733 373187 or email [email protected] for more details.