‘My Voice Matters’ is the theme of Children’s Mental Health Week, which runs from the 5th-11th of February. Children’s right to be heard is protected under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and this week focuses on allowing children to feel heard, express themselves and feel empowered to make positive changes.
"Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future." John F. Kennedy.
Good emotional health in childhood shapes the adults they will become. According to the Mental Health Foundation, “Good mental health helps them develop the resilience to cope with whatever life throws at them and grow into well-rounded, healthy adults.”
How to promote good emotional health in children
The Mental Health Foundation says the following things can promote wellbeing in children and young people:
- being in good physical health, eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise
- having time and freedom to play, indoors and outdoors
- being part of a family that gets along well most of the time
- going to a school that looks after the wellbeing of all its pupils
- taking part in local activities
They also stated that ‘feeling loved, trusted, understood and safe. Children who are optimistic, and resilient, have some control over their lives and feel like they belong are more likely to have good well-being.’
Children who live in this way are more likely to say ‘My Voice Matters’ and are more likely to have good emotional health.
With that in mind, we’d like to share some ways in which we can support children and young people to be heard and live a safe and fulfilled life.
How can Active Luton help children say ‘My Voice Matters’?
“I can tell by the way you talk it shows you really care, I appreciate your empathy.”
This is a quote from a young person on Active Luton’s Life Hacks programme, said to one of our link workers.
Life Hacks is a young person’s social prescription service that supports children and young people from ages 11 to 19 to help improve their social, emotional, or physical health and wellbeing.
It’s an award-winning programme that has grown in recent years due to its success, securing local and national funding.
The power of Life Hacks is in giving young people a voice.
‘We want to know what matters to the child or young person – in their own words. And we’ll work with them to find solutions. It could be access to something sporty, arty, creative or social. Or linking with volunteering or advice or counselling services. Whatever it is, it comes from the child or young person.’
The problems young people need help with are wide-ranging, but commonly include:
- Low mood
- Anxiety
- Unhealthy / risky behaviours
- Low self esteem
- Identity issues
- Loneliness / social isolation
Often, the young people we work with have other risk factors. There may be child protection issues, behavioural challenges, learning differences or parental issues such as domestic violence or substance abuse.
Whatever challenges a young person is facing, the link workers in the Life Hacks programme work with them to give them control over the best ways to help them. Link workers help young people to identify their challenges, set achievable goals and create long-lasting behaviours that focus on their self-identified priorities.
This case study demonstrates how the process works and the impact it has.
The young person (YP) involved was a 15-year-old girl who was experiencing the trauma of the sibling being killed.
She had become withdrawn and disengaged and was regularly suspended from school.
Initially, the YP was withdrawn and unwilling to talk to the link worker (LW). However, when the LW suggested going to the gym, the YP seemed brighter and began to talk more openly to the LW.
Active Luton set the YP up with a Swim and Gym membership, and soon, the YP was regularly attending independently. The gym became ‘their time’ where no one could disturb them.
Over the coming weeks, the YP’s school said they were a different child, describing them as bubbly, and there were no further suspensions.
The YP also began to open up about their feelings and why they found it difficult to talk to their family about their trauma. The LW created a safe space where the YP could address their feelings.
The YP’s parent was overjoyed by the impact of Life Hacks, saying that the YP was making better decisions and doing things they never would have done otherwise, and that their relationship had also improved.
Every child is different
Life Hacks has helped many children across Luton, Bedford, Central Beds and Milton Keynes. Every child has unique challenges, experiences, interests and goals. The link workers at Life Hacks offer various kinds of support and work with a range of other services, from school mental health services to youth partnership services, to find solutions that are right for each child.
If you care for or work closely with a young person in need of support, they can be referred to Life Hacks either through the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) via school or through their GP.
A list of GP surgeries that refer to the programme, plus further information on referrals, can be found on Active Luton’s Young Persons Social Prescription page.
Following referrals, young people undergo an initial assessment to identify their needs and goals. They then begin a 12-week programme that supports them through whatever they're struggling with. This could include taking them to groups based on their interests, helping them meet new people, developing good habits, and supporting their independence. Young people typically have four to five contacts with link workers throughout the 12 weeks.
If you need any more information around Young Person’s Social Prescription, feel free to email active.luton@nhs.net, and mention ‘Life Hacks’.
Other ways Active Luton supports young people’s emotional health
As well as having a voice, physical health is also a key factor in young people’s emotional health. At Active Luton, we aim to make it as easy as possible for parents to get kids into health and fitness.
Junior memberships
We offer a competitive junior membership which gives 11-17 year-olds access to over 100 groups fitness classes. Under 16s are also welcome to use the gym unaccompanied during ‘Junior Gym’ sessions. We also welcome competent swimmers over the age of 8 to join any regular swim session. Find out more on our Junior Memberships page
£1 sessions with Go4Less Advantage
We believe low income should not be a barrier to children’s health and wellbeing. If you receive benefits, you’re entitled to a Go4Less Advantage card, which means you can join group fitness classes, and attend gym and swim sessions for just £2. What’s more, children can attend for just £1.
Youth Zone
See our range of after-school activity sessions for kids (also available at £1 per session with Go4Less Advantage).
Weight Management (child and family)
This free 12-week programme helps families build the foundations for lifelong health.