The Courtyard’s mental health project for children and young people
#TalkAwayDontWalkAway is The Courtyard’s mental health awareness project for young people in Herefordshire. Using drama, practical exercises and games, children explore what mental health is. They also look at ways that they can look after their mental health and promote positive wellbeing.
The project started in 2018, working with pupils in secondary schools and colleges. We have now developed the project to work with primary school pupils aged 4-11 with practical workshops, as well as a digital project which focuses on the five steps to wellbeing. Herefordshire Mind have helped support and guide the creation og these workshops. Practitioners who lead the sessions are also trained in Mental Health First Aid.
We’re out and about doing workshops in schools and the response to our workshops have been overwhelming. Come back to see some of the amazing work being done.
Showcase 2024
On Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 May, we hosted a sharing evening at The Courtyard for schools and youth groups who’d participated in the project. This was an opportunity for young people to share their artistic responses to the workshops, whether it was through drama, dance, music or film. We had a very thought-provoking evening where we celebrated the talent of young people across Herefordshire.
Rebecca Cook, who leads the project said,
“The #TalkAwayDontWalkAway showcases were truly inspiring, with 16 schools performing on the main stage and films from Blackmarston, Barrs Court, and Brookfield. Each child’s unique performance reflected the insights gained from their mental health workshops. The talent was extraordinary, and heartfelt gratitude goes to all the teachers who worked incredibly hard to put their performances together! Special thanks to guest speakers David Harding from Herefordshire Mind and poet Connor Allen for summarising the evenings perfectly with their inspiring words, and reminding us there is always help available if ever we are struggling. Well done everyone, you are amazing!”
You can read more about our Talk Away Don’t Walk Away project on the Talk Away Don’t Walk Away page.
The post Talk Away Don’t Walk Away 2024 appeared first on The Courtyard.