Offering a mixture of virtual and face to face work support to young people from the end of September 2020
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It’s been very difficult during the last few months:
Mental health issues in these difficult times – Vision Group for Sidmouth
Lockdown does not affect everyone in the same way – Vision Group for Sidmouth
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A year ago, there was a determination to put mental health at the centre of life in the Sid Valley:
Sidmouth “to be the first mental health-friendly town” – Vision Group for Sidmouth
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And just before lockdown, there were plans to roll out more support:
Improving mental well-being in Sidmouth – Vision Group for Sidmouth
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Hannah Corfield of the Nub News writes about the latest initiative from several agencies and groups coming together – with key extracts here:
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Sidmouth soon to benefit from mental health support service for young people
A mental health support project for 13-24-year-olds is about to open in Sidmouth. Headlight, a well-established local service managed by Action East Devon, has been working in Axminster and Ottery St Mary for some time. Funding to work in Sidmouth was secured from Sid Valley HELP and their many supporters for an April start. However, coronavirus, lockdown and restrictions due to social distancing meant plans to set up the peer support project had to be put on hold…
During lockdown the Headlight team have carried on and under the guidance of Manager, Ben Feasey, have worked hard to ensure young people have had support and help via online sessions and telephone/text in the following ways:
● Weekly check-ins with referrals: Just a 5 minute check-in has meant the world to some young people as it reminded them that someone is thinking of them and was there to talk if they needed to.
● One-to-One ‘meetings’: During weekly check-ins, Mental Health Support Workers have arranged online meetings. This has been via phone call, video call or even a pre-arranged text conversation for those that find the other options challenging.
● Group sessions: These have been run online and have been much like the typical Headlight sessions with a mix of facilitated discussion, talking and sharing; activities to support young people with their wellbeing and mental health.
Once registered with a group, a young person receives a secure link to the online group session.
Headlight Manager, Ben Feasey said: “We will be offering a mixture of virtual and face to face work support to young people in Sidmouth from the end of September 2020. We have been working closely with colleagues at the Sidmouth Youth Centre to make sure we can use the venue for group sessions and individual support meetings in a safe way. Myself and the team are really looking forward to getting Headlight started in Sidmouth and helping as many young people as possible. It has been long wait.”
If you would like more information about Headlight please contact Ben Feasey on headlight@actioneastdevon.org.uk.
We are now taking referrals via the online form on the website
www.actioneastdevon.org.uk.
Sidmouth soon to benefit from mental health support service for young people | sidmouth.nub.news