More than 2,000 children and young people with mental health concerns have received support since the programme was first launched in July 2021.

This week (6-12 February) marks Children’s Mental Health Week with Sandwell Council announcing a further investment of £500,000 to their Emotional Wellbeing Programme to help more children and young people in the area.

Students at Bristnall Hall Academy in Oldbury have been taking part in a sport mentoring programme using sporting activities to help improve their confidence, resilience and emotional wellbeing.

Youth Mentors Jevaughni Robinson and Daniel McCalla from local charity Sport4Life have worked with academy children since Autumn 2022. Daniel McCalla said: “I’m proud to be involved in a project like Sandwell’s Emotional Wellbeing Programme.

“Seeing the young people come out of their shell and talk is really important, I don’t do this job for the money, I do it because I want to make a difference.

“I want to see young people being aspirational and know that with a little bit of help, they all can achieve.”

Councillor Simon Hackett, Cabinet Member for Children and Education recently visited Bristnall Hall Academy in Oldbury. He said: “I am overwhelmed hearing from the young people involved and the positive impact these mentoring sessions have made to them personally.

“It is clear the students really look up to Jevaughni and Daniel who are really making a difference to the young people they mentor.

“This programme is having such a positive impact on our children and young and I am pleased to announce during Children’s Mental Health Week, our investment into the programme will continue in 2023.”

Lindsay Mason, assistant principal at Bristnall Hall Academy said: “Being part of the council’s Emotional Wellbeing Programme has meant a lot to our young people who have gained a considerable amount from the sessions, in terms of both their physical and emotional wellbeing.”

“Thank you to mentors from Sport4Life who have made a real positive impact to the young people involved in these sessions.”

Work will now continue on rolling the Emotional Wellbeing Programme out to more children and young people with support from the voluntary sector, education and health partners.

The programme has seen Sandwell Council team up with partners in the voluntary sector for the delivery of targeted help and support for young people with mental health concerns.

There have been 13 organisations funded to complete programmes providing a broad range of support for young people aged five to 18, including one-to-one and group work, mentoring and counselling.