YOUNG people in Melksham now have three exciting new projects being delivered by Melksham-based charity, 4Youth (South West), to support their mental health.
The charity already delivers their TeenTalk counselling service, based at The Canberra Centre on Spa Road in Melksham, and last year introduced a new mentoring scheme.
Group Therapy Sessions
They have now announced the introduction of a new group therapy session on Monday afternoons for young people where working with their peers will more impactful than one-to-one therapy.
Lead therapist on the new service Tanya Hayter said, “I’m so excited that we are launching this new provision. It’s based on the feedback we have received from young people that we have worked with and will give us and the young people the opportunity to use peer support and social interaction to focus on their strengths and build self-confidence.”
New HeadStrong Youth Club
Monday evenings see the launch of a new youth club based at The Canberra Centre, HeadStrong. It is available to any young people aged 11 to 19 who have experienced some form of support for mental health issues. Whether it was counselling, group therapy or CAMHS, any young person who has experienced these services anywhere is welcome to attend the sessions to mix with peers in a ‘safe’ space.
Chair of trustees at 4Youth, Jon Hubbard said, “It has been an ambition of mine for several years that we should offer some form of follow-on provision for young people who have completed a course of therapy with us. Speaking with other service providers has only reinforced this view for me and I am so pleased that we are now able to offer this provision.”
The club, which runs from 7pm to 9pm every Monday, will offer young people a chance to further develop their social skills, extend their social network by meeting friends with similar experiences and take part in exciting, fun activities.
Controlling Anger Workshops
Following the successful trial of mentoring earlier in the year, where 4Youth worked alongside Melksham Oak Community School to pair young people with those working in industry, the charity is extending its collaboration with the school with the launch of a series of new Controlling Anger workshops.
Delivery of the new workshops will be based at either the school, or at the charity’s base in the Canberra Centre.
Counselling lead, Tanya Hayter said, “These workshops will encourage young people to be better aware of their behaviour and how it impacts their lives and others around them. It gives a real chance for them to build self-esteem and self-management. In the workshops, the young people will explore how they can develop alterative behaviours when they are angry.”
Vice principal, Will Ruscoe said, “Melksham Oak Community School is delighted to be part of this innovative initiative in our town. We are very grateful to 4youth for involving the school and making this important service available for our students.”
Details of all of the services from TeenTalk and how to access them can be found on their website at TeenTalk.org.uk or by calling 01225 667327.
