Emotional Health Support for Children and Young People
Who supports children and young people in South Tees?
As part of the HeadStart programme we provide:
Training for school staff, parents/carers and other professionals so they can better support emotional health and recognise when someone needs help.
A resilience-building approach in schools (this means helping you, your friends and your classmates to develop skills such as problem-solving, self-confidence, managing change).
A peer-ambassador scheme (called “HeadStarters”) where young people become champions for emotional health, supporting others and helping to shape what’s offered.
Resources, information and one-point-of-contact support for families and young people, to make it easier to find help when you need it.
The Headstart offer
We believe every child and young person in South Tees deserves support to build good emotional health. That’s why we run HeadStart South Tees - a programme to help you feel more confident, resilient (able to cope when things get tough), and able to enjoy learning and life. We work in schools, at home, in the community and online so that support is available wherever you are.
We provide early help so that common mental health problems (when feelings such as worry, sadness or stress become difficult to manage) are less likely to start.
We also work with families, carers and professionals so that everyone has the right tools to support wellbeing.
To find out more or get support from our Headstart team, visit the Headstart website.
Emotional health is just as important as physical health. When you feel supported, you can learn better, form positive friendships, cope with change and enjoy life more.
By working early and across different places (school, home, community), we help prevent small worries from becoming bigger problems. This means fewer young people will need more serious help later.
We also believe that when young people, families, schools and professionals work together, the support is stronger, more meaningful and lasts longer.
Why does this matter?
Make It Better is a collection of simple ideas that help children and young people use creativity to support their health and wellbeing.
Being creative doesn’t mean being an artist or doing something perfectly. It can be anything from drawing a quick picture, moving to music, building models, creating a game, writing a few lines, or trying something new just for fun. Small creative moments can have a big positive effect.
The key idea is simple: everyone can be creative, and taking part is what matters most.
Many children and young people are feeling under pressure or finding things hard. Make It Better offers easy ways for families, schools, health workers and community groups to help support young people early, before worries become more serious.
Creative activities can help children:
feel calmer and relax
understand their feelings
cope better with everyday stress
build positive routines
Creativity can be quick or calm, active or quiet. It might be a short drawing, dancing while making tea, writing thoughts down, creating something online, or exploring a new interest.
The Make It Better toolkit is shared across the region through GP practices, schools, youth services, community groups and social media. It includes short prompts and challenges that are simple, inclusive and easy for anyone to try.
View the toolkit here (PDF size - 16,158KB)
How to get involved
If you’re a young person: you might hear about HeadStarters in your school or find out about groups or activities.
If you’re a parent or carer: you’ll find resources and information on our website, and one-point-of-contact support if you’re worried about your child’s emotional health.
If you’re a school or professional: contact the HeadStart team to talk about training, how to embed the resilience approach in your setting, or how to work together locally.
To find out more or get support from our Headstart team, visit the Headstart website.
Using creativity to support children’s health and wellbeing
Headstart South Tees
Reading for Wellbeing Service - South Tees
Are you a parent or carer of a baby?
Would you like to learn how reading together can help your baby’s development – and support your own wellbeing too?
We offer free and friendly one-to-one reading sessions designed just for you and your baby.
You do not need to be confident with reading – or even enjoy it yet. These sessions are for everyone.
We will show you how sharing stories can:
help you feel closer to your baby
spark your baby’s imagination
make learning easier as they grow
help you feel calmer, more relaxed and connected
It is a relaxed and supportive space where you can discover what works best for you and your baby.
If you would like to give it a try or find out more, get in touch with our South Tees Community Reading Coach, Linda Johnstone.
Call Linda today - 07518 294525
Or email - linda_johnstone@middlesbrough.gov.uk
