Page 8 - Frittenden Parish Mag - December 2021

Charity Focus Charity Focus

the knowledge and confidence Cranbrook Parents Support Group
to notice, interact and support For parents and carers of young people experiencing
that person, could positively
Registered charity 1177924 poor mental health. We meet once a month,
impact the outcome of their
(currently via zoom but hopefully face-to-face
mental health journey. We again soon). This is a place to feel supported,
The work know from teachers and listened to non-judgementally and to ‘offload’ in a
parents, that many of them
confidential, friendly, safe space. It is facilitated
feel anxious and ill-equipped
of the to approach a young person by a very experienced child psychotherapist and
open to any parent or carer in the area. For more
with emotional challenges. Adults want to help the
information email: cranbrookcarersgroup@gmail.com
young person in their care but are worried to act
Sam West in case they make it worse or say the wrong thing. parents, youth leaders, and sports coaches. Even Three things you can do to check your loved
YMHFA training enables people to spot warning
one is OK and open conversations
sixth-formers can benefit, the skills will be so useful
signs, notice, approach, and assist a young person,
Foundation and most importantly ‘walk alongside’ them. when supporting friends at university or college. For 1. Notice any shifts in behaviour or physical
appearance be it angry, or withdrawn, or they
more information email Michellewestymhfa@gmail.
The SWF heavily subsidises the Youth Mental Health
may be unusually upbeat and overly happy
com or go to the www.samwestfoundation.org
First Aid training courses. We encourage local schools
to offer these courses to staff and parents. Since In-school support: following a period of being down. Notice,
name the emotion and ask “I notice you’re
An interview with co-founder September 2018 the SWF has funded 187 adults 1. Counselling in primary [angry], [sad], [happy]” followed by “you
Michelle West by to be trained as Youth Mental Health First Aiders, schools: feel [angry], [sad], [happy] because?”
including staff from the following local schools:
Ann Booth-Clibborn The SWF is funding 2. Listen empathetically without being judgemental
Frittenden Primary School (15 all staff) a counsellor through eg “Thanks for telling me how you’re feeling, it
Dulwich Prep School (21) the charity Place2Be must be frustrating for you when [X,Y,Z] happens”
From day one, our local community have been Cranbrook Grammar School (16) for one day a week in 3
amazing supporting our family and the Sam West Claremont (7) local primary schools (Sissinghurst, Cranbrook and 3. Ask on a scale of 1 to 13 what was their day like.
Foundation (SWF). The generosity of Frittenden Staplehurst Primary (2) Hawkhurst) using Cranbrook Grammar School What was something good that happened today?
folk, the surrounding parishes and those further Cranbrook Primary (2) as a hub. Place2be is a charity which provides a
afield, have enabled us, three years on to embed Goudhurst and Kilndown Primary (3) wide range of mental health support in schools.
some positive mental health initiatives locally. Hawkhurst Primary (3) 2. Embedding training within an Academy Trust: Help and Support:
When we first became aware that our son Sam was ill, This is what people have said We are working with The Kemnal Trust Academy Papyrus (prevention of young suicide)
we discovered that local GPs were seeing many young following course attendance: (TKAT), which runs 45 schools in the South-East, – ‘HopelineUK’ – 0800 068 41 41
patients experiencing poor mental. Our amazing GP, “one of the most important courses to embed a mental health strategy across all of its SHOUT– text 852258 – 24/7 confidential
Dr Dineli Charlesworth was already looking for ways I have undertaken” schools, supporting students, teachers and parents. support for anyone feeling anxious,
to support young people in the Cranbrook area, and in We have trained 5 TKAT staff members as youth stressed, overwhelmed or depressed
2017 she fund-raised for a Youth Mental Health First “An eye opening and informative course, giving mental health first aid trainers who can deliver
Aid Course in Cranbrook. The generous funds raised essential information and the confidence in-house training to other members of staff. We https://www.youngminds.org.uk
since both locally and further afield, for which we are to cope with what students present” hope to take this model to other Academy Trusts https://www.themix.org.uk/ – support service
hugely grateful, have enabled the SWF to expand on “It has really helped me realise I can make 3. Mental Health Champions for Senior Leaders: for young people 25’s for any challenge be it
this, and undertake the following projects so far: a difference in my school by asking the right We have co-funded with the Brook Trust, 14 local mental health, drugs, homelessness, money
Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Training questions and listening to students” schools to go through this Place2Be programme. www.Beatingeatingdisorders.org.uk
This provides school leaders with knowledge
We all have mental health, our brain is just another The YMHFA courses are available to anyone in and skills to design and implement a bespoke, www.newmaudsley-kent.co.uk - for those caring
organ, and just like our other organs it can go wrong. contact with young people aged 8 to 18 years. robust mental health strategy for their school. for a loved one with an eating disorder
Being aware of the early signs of deteriorating mental Anyone over 16 years can come on the courses.
health in a young person (and ourselves) and having We have trained teachers, teaching assistants,
For more information email Michellewestymhfa@gmail.com or go to the www.samwestfoundation.org

8 Frittenden Parish Magazine December 2021 / January 2022 Frittenden Parish Magazine December 2021 / January 2022 9