Teenage Boys Mental Wellbeing and Prevention of Poverty Programme

Within the context of Covid and the devastating impact Lockdown has had on all young people, we believed that it was even more important to find a way to ensure our work was delivered to the young people most in need. This programme worked with a group of young boys from Greenfield Community College, Newton Aycliffe

Lockdown had a devasting impact - many of the boys were dealing with bereavement and loss, which was made worse by the Covid restrictions. Our group sessions gave the boys their first opportunity to discuss the issues they faced and share their emotions and experiences around them, in a supportive environment.

All of the young people found it useful to talk to each other about their relationships with their families and their peers. The realisation that many of them were struggling with the same issues, made them feel better about their own situation. They all said they were grateful for the bond that had been created through the group, and that they felt much more confident having others to turn to if they needed support.

The boys particularly enjoyed going karting as a group, and they were very excited at having the opportunity to do this all together. They also loved the art sessions with Tommy Anderson, having the opportunity and creative freedom to produce their own art to support the emotional wellbeing of others made a real and lasting impact on the boys.