A pioneering initiative to help enhance mental health support for young people across Gedling borough has been launched this week.
Gedling Borough Councillors Henry Wheeler, Portfolio Holder for Lifestyles, Health, and Wellbeing, and Kathryn Fox, Portfolio Holder for Life Chances and Vulnerability, have partnered with Positively Empowered Kids CIC, a local social enterprise committed to empowering young people and parents. The organisation offers essential tips, tools and signposting for children’s mental wellbeing as a preventative measure.
Other local partners in the initiative include NottAlone, a website providing information and mental health support for people in Nottinghamshire and Be U Notts, who provide mental health and emotional wellbeing support for people between 0-25 years of age and their parents and carers.
The collaboration focuses on talking to young people about their experiences and knowledge around mental health, alongside gaining valuable information about what they need in their community to support them and their peers.
As part of this initiative, Cllrs Wheeler and Fox, along with representatives from Positively Empowered Kids, visited youth centres in Calverton, Redhill, and Netherfield. During these visits they gathered valuable feedback from young people on their experiences of the current state of mental health support they are aware of and identify areas for improvement.
Cllr Wheeler emphasised the importance of the initiative.
He said: “Supporting the mental health of our young people is crucial. By listening to young people, we can better understand their needs and ensure that every child in Gedling borough has access to the resources they need to thrive.”
Cllr Fox added: “This partnership is about giving our children the tools they need to manage their emotions and face the challenges of growing up. We are committed to ensuring that no child is left without the support they need as they progress through their educational journey.”
Jackie Wilson, director of Positively Empowered Kids said: “Collaborative working is the way forward to make a bigger difference for young people. Taking time to listen to their views and ideas has been an incredible opportunity for us to collectively understand their experiences and needs.
“My hope is that this work can continue, this time in co-production with the young people so they are empowered to be pro-active with their mental health, with a clear understanding of services and support they can access, and ripple that knowledge out to theirpeers”
Gedling Borough Council said it will be working with key partners including NHS & Public Health to ensure that adequate mental health services are accessible for children & young people within their educational settings.
