Rekindle Ail-ddeffro 2024

Reg Cawthorne – High Sheriff of Powys with Michele Humberstone (Administrator), Jodie Hughes (Service Delivery Manager & Counsellor), Lindsay Cameron-Brown (Administrator) and Cristina Roberts (Recovery Practitioner and Activities Officer).

Rekindle - supporting young people aged 16 - 25 

to improve their mental health and wellbeing

by Jodie Hughes

Service Delivery Manager

We were thrilled to kick off 2024 in our new location in Newtown, just a stone's throw from our previous building. The new facility provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere for young people including outside space, a communal area for activities and three therapy rooms allowing us to expand our capacity offering more appointments to young people. 

We have recruited a larger team to help us to meet demand for our counselling services, one-to-one support and to develop our activities programme.

Our counselling service remains person-centred, meaning the sessions are guided by our clients, giving them the power to talk about the things they want to. After receiving counselling sessions with our team, a young person shared:

"I'm super-duper grateful for all the help and support. It's really improved my life."

Dafydd Llewellyn – Police and Crime Commissioner, speaking at Rekindle's opening event

Our one-to-one recovery team continue to support clients with housing, finances, employment, education, health, self-confidence, friendships, relationships, self-care, life skills, resilience, and more! One of the young people who uses the service shared:

“A friend is in need of help, and I told them to come straight here, as you actually help”.

Rachel Wright (Lead Recovery Practitioner), Jodie Hughes (Service Delivery Manager / Counsellor) and Robin Brierly (Chair of Rekindle) with local Police Community Support Officers.

In further development of our services, we have recently teamed up with Beam, a social enterprise charity, to assist our 18 - 25 year old clients with dedicated career and employment support. The project will offer bespoke career coaching and wellbeing support to help people climb the career ladder with support to access skills and qualifications alongside financial assistance to make finding a job that little bit easier.

Anyone can make a referral to our services by completing our referral form available on our website or by speaking to a member of the team.

Want to know more about Rekindle?

Follow us on social media:

Facebook rekindlecharity

Instagram @rekindle.charity

Linked-in REKINDLE CHARITY

Visit our website – www.rekindle.org.uk

Speak to our team – 01686 722 222

Check out our new space: 2-3 Ladywell Centre, Newtown, Powys SY16 1AF

Area 43 – Powys schools & community-based counselling services

Lisa Head is the Communications & Engagement Manager, she has been at the charity Area 43 since 2017. She joined the organisation as a Senior Youth Support Worker, then moved to Centre Manager, Services Manager and Operations Manager, before commencing her current role. Area 43 provides safe spaces, information, support, counselling and training to young people aged 11 – 25 at their flagship Youth Café, Depot in Cardigan in West Wales. Their counselling services span the whole of the mid and west Wales area supporting children and young people aged 3 – 30.

In October 2023 Area 43 became the new provider of Independent School and Community Based Counselling Services for Powys.

I recently met up with Lisa to find out more about the work of Area 43.

What drew you to your role at Area 43?

It’s a long story. I am a single parent of 2 girls, one of which was particularly challenging when she was younger. They are both in their 20s now, but when they were little, I was so disillusioned by the lack of support available to children, young people and their families that I embarked on an Open University degree to learn how to support my children better. It began as something I was doing for my own personal interest, but the more I learned, the more I realised I could do to help others in my community.

In 2011, I set up a youth club in the village where I lived, the young people wanted to launch the club with a mini music festival, so they worked with me to plan, coordinate and manage the event. I had a background in Arts Marketing, so I had the marketing and events management knowledge and plenty of contacts who were happy to perform. We attracted over 1000 visitors and the youth club went from strength to strength. I ran the club for about 8 years and over that time we expanded on the music festival idea to re-establish a village carnival, with young people in the lead. We ran that event 3 times.

I had known about the work of Area 43 for a long time, but at that time they only worked with 16 – 25 year olds and my children were much younger. However, when I saw the Senior Youth Support Worker role advertised early in 2017, I jumped at the opportunity to join the team and put all my learning and experience into practice.

During the lockdowns of the Covid pandemic, Area 43 took the opportunity to conduct a large-scale consultation with young people in the Ceredigion area to ask them what they felt they needed in Cardigan. They overwhelmingly told us that they needed safe spaces and an affordable café, where they could hang out and socialise without the pressure of having to spend money or feeling that they are not welcome… And so, Depot was the result.

Tell us briefly how Area 43 came about

Area 43 was born out of a community needs-led project in 1996. Back then there were 30 odd pubs in Cardigan and all the young people were hanging around playing pool and there were issues with them not going to school or college. It was identified that they really needed a place to go to that was not alcohol-fuelled or potentially putting them at risk. A group came together to put in a lottery bid to establish Cardigan Youth Project. They were successful in receiving lottery money and it snowballed from there.

From the early days, we had volunteers and eventually staff – including counsellors and support workers. We were quite early in offering counselling to young disadvantaged people in this area. When it became statutory law in Wales to offer counselling in schools in 2008 we were successful in tendering for a couple of those contracts because of this experience, and have held on to most of those ever since.

We now deliver services throughout Powys, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion and will see in the region of 5000+ individuals this year.

There are a total of 30 counsellors and therapists in Powys and another 28 covering West Wales. When Area 43 recently took over the contract from Kooth, most of the staff transferred over, so they all have plenty of experience with young people in the Powys area.

How can counselling help children and young people who may be struggling with their mental health?

Area 43’s counselling service is delivered by highly trained professionals and managed by people who fully understand the values, aims and limitations of counselling.

Counselling can allow a space for children and young people where they feel they are not judged and offers the opportunity to increase self-awareness, develop personal resources and understand their problems. It is a skilled way of helping those with personal, emotional and developmental issues or difficulties that takes place in a safe and confidential environment. This allows them to explore, discover and embed strategies to cope with change and live in a more satisfying, resourceful way.

By helping children and young people to share their worries and concerns with a counsellor or therapist, the young person can gain a better understanding of themselves, making sense of what they are experiencing, which helps them gain clarity and build resilience within themselves.

How is the school counselling going in Powys and what do you offer?

Thanks to the great team that Area 43 inherited from the previous provider, our service is running seamlessly. Area 43 will continue to provide counselling services for all eligible young people to the age of 25. The Powys model works slightly differently from the west Wales model, but essentially there are counsellors and therapists in all the secondary school settings and selected primaries.

Counselling is predominantly delivered face to face with the flexibility for online provision for those aged 10 – 19 (year 6 to Year 13) in education settings, but there is also an option for up to 25 year-olds to access counselling support either online or in the community.

All young people in Powys up to age 25 are eligible to access the counselling service.

We have 20 counsellors and therapists available for 37 days per week in secondary schools, 11 counsellors and therapists based in 15 of the primary school settings and we provide at least 3 days per week of online or community counselling sessions.

How are children and young people in Powys referred for counselling support?

Whilst parents and professionals can use our referral forms, any young person can register in exactly the same way and we encourage self-referral. It helps young people to feel ownership of the counselling support and let’s be honest, counselling or therapy isn’t something that can be done to somebody, it’s a meaningful, emotional process that takes a lot of commitment and vulnerability.

Referral forms, support resources and counselling information to help children, young people, parents and education staff to have discussions about counselling and decide whether it is suitable for them can be accessed through the Area 43 website page Powys Counselling.

Tell us more about the Youth Café you run in Cardigan

It’s about driving young people’s dreams forward, allowing their voice, hearing them and acting upon their needs. We utilised the lockdown scenario to do some online consultation and canvassed young people in the whole of our area as well as external services, to see what they would like from Area 43. Young people told us overwhelmingly that they needed safe spaces to hang out and socialise with friends where caring professionals could offer alternative views and provide additional support.

They also explained that they didn’t feel welcome in the town centre cafés - they felt stigmatised walking in as a group. The result of the consultation is Depot, which is led by young people for young people - it is their space, we just facilitate it and keep it safe.

In the youth café, young people don’t need to buy anything, they can just come in to keep warm and see other people. We heavily subsidise the cost of food and drink. We have managed to access some food poverty grants to keep costs as low as we can, and we work with Neighbourly and Fareshare for surplus foods, so we are often able to offer free meals.

Our Cardigan building is open 6 days a week up to 7pm for 14 – 25 year olds, we also hold transition sessions on Saturday mornings for 11 – 13 year olds. There are young people out there essentially living independently at the age of 14 – 16 including homeless young people, sofa surfing or sleeping rough. They come to Area 43 to stay warm, have human contact, receive support from our team, and link up with existing specialist services - drugs and alcohol, or housing options, and we facilitate this.

We also offer supported paid work placements for young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) to help them develop the skills to progress into the workplace from a safe, supportive environment where they can make mistakes and learn from them without dire consequences.

Do you have plans to develop and expand your offer in Powys?

We are working closely with Powys County Council, watch this space…

What are the main challenges working in this field?

I guess the main issue is securing consistent funding to provide these essential services. There is no doubt that the need for mental health support is very real. Whilst talking about mental health difficulties more openly has decreased the stigma, it has also opened the floodgates, and the need for support and counselling services means the demand is great and waiting lists across the sector are growing.

Contracts for counselling services go through a competitive tendering process and although we support the campaign by Young Minds and Dr Alex George (UK Youth Mental Health Ambassador) to obtain statutory funding for early intervention mental health hubs, we are still heavily reliant upon grant funders like the National Lottery.

Tell us about some of the most rewarding work you have done at Area 43

Seeing the Youth Café come to fruition is a proud achievement, we see over 200 young people every week, and last year had over 1600 visitors, it’s amazing and proves how much the safe space is needed by young people.

The most rewarding work is the direct work with young people, slowly building trust, and learning about them, their needs, background and challenges. Then having the honour of being permitted to walk with them on their journey and see them grow as they navigate the obstacles, dramas and emotions that fall in their way. I have seen some young people come from the most distressing situations where they have a lack of supportive adults at home, a tough time in education (if they attend), and substance misuse, bullying or other abuse in their lives, manage to find themselves and their strength because they learned that they had someone they could trust, who believed them and wanted the best for them. It’s amazing what young people can achieve with the right support if they want to.

How do you like spending your time when you’re not working?

I like peace and quiet and the opportunity to rejuvenate when I’m not working. I love a spa day! I also like to curl up in a cosy armchair with a book or to get out in nature, walk with my dogs on the beach or through the woods.

Feedback from children & young people who have been supported by Area 43 

About counselling and therapy

"Helped me release all me feeling and emotions."

"It has been helpful to be able to talk to someone. It has helped all the negative energy and thoughts to disappear."

"It helped me by boosting my self-esteem and giving me more confidence in making the right choices for myself, it also really helped with my family and friends relationships which i am thankful for."

"It was good to have someone to talk when my anxiety was a problem. I was able to work out how to control my anxiety and now have way to stop it."

About the Youth Café

“The first time I went to the Youth Café I was an upset teenager determined not to speak to anyone. But after a Youth Support Worker coming up to chat with me I opened up more than I had in a while. I felt a lot lighter when I left.”

“Coming here (Depot) for the past 3 years has done more for my confidence than almost a decade of support groups.”

“I feel that Depot youth café is a treasure to the community for young people, as a mental health sufferer this place has helped me get out of a dark place, the support I have received from the youth workers has changed me massively in ways I didn't think was possible. I've made new friends, I've learned to accept myself for my self with my mental illness and I don't feel like I'm figuring it out anymore. I have started to come out the house more as I'm less anxious of the outside world."

Many thanks to Lisa for telling us about the work of Area 43. 

If you want to find out more you can contact Lisa by emailing lisa@area43.co.uk

There is also further information on the Area 43 website including an online referral form.

The DPJ Foundation launches vital children’s books

Lawnsiad Sefydliad DPJ o lyfrau plant hanfodol

DPJ founder Emma's children - Trystan, Mali & Erin 
Plant Emma, sylfaenydd DPJ - Trystan, Mali ac Erin

On Tuesday 10 October 2023, World Mental Health Awareness Day, The DPJ Foundation shared their first series of therapeutic children’s picture books the “Dan Y Bont” series with schools across Wales.

The DPJ Foundation, founded in 2016, supports the mental health of agricultural communities across Wales, providing a 24/7 helpline ‘Share The Load’. This includes supporting those who are bereaved and are experiencing grief.

Ar ddydd Mawrth 10fed o Hydref, 2023, Diwrnod Ymwybyddiaeth Iechyd Meddwl y Byd, rhannodd Sefydliad DPJ, gydag ysgolion ledled Cymru, llyfrau “Dan Y Bont”, eu cyfres gyntaf o lyfrau lluniau therapiwtig i blant.

Mae Sefydliad DPJ, a sefydlwyd yn 2016, yn cefnogi iechyd meddwl cymunedau amaethyddol ar draws Cymru, gan ddarparu llinell gymorth 24/7 ‘Rhannwch y Baich’. Mae hyn yn cynnwys cymorth i’r rhai hynny sydd wedi cael profedigaeth ac sy’n galaru.

The idea for this project came from the DPJ Foundation’s charity manager, Kate Miles. Kate recognized the increasing need for bereavement support for children in rural communities, especially those in agriculture and often found parents turning to the DPJ Foundation for assistance when their children were grappling with the complexities of grief. Thanks to a grant from the Welsh Government’s Bereavement Support Fund, the charity was able to create a collection of three books specifically tailored to primary-age children, aiming to provide them with much-needed support during difficult times. Fundraising from within the agricultural community has enabled the DPJ Foundation to place books within schools and libraries across the country. Kate said:

“We know that everyone will experience bereavement at some point, and dealing with this as a child can be difficult. We wanted to support parents, grandparents and teachers to have conversations that can enable their children to deal with often overwhelming feelings. We know that it is hard to support your child whilst trying to face your own loss so we wanted to offer something that may help.”

Lluniwyd y prosiect yn dilyn awgrymiadau Kate Miles, rheolwr elusen Sefydliad DPJ, a oedd wedi adnabod yr angen cynyddol am gefnogaeth profedigaeth i blant mewn cymunedau gwledig, yn enwedig cymunedau amaethyddol. Roedd hi’n aml yn gweld rhieni’n troi at Sefydliad DPJ am help pan roedd eu plant yn brwydro gyda chymhlethdodau galar. Diolch i grant oddiwrth Gronfa Cynnal Profedigaeth Llywodraeth Cymru, fe’m galluogwyd ni i greu casgliad o dri llyfr a deilwrwyd yn arbennig ar gyfer plant oed cynradd, gan anelu at ddarparu’r gefnogaeth sydd mawr ei hangen arnynt yn ystod dyddiau tywyll. Mae gwaith codi arian yn y gymuned amaethyddol wedi galluogi Sefydliad DPJ i osod llyfrau mewn ysgolion a llyfrgelloedd ar draws y wlad. Dywedodd Kate:

“Mae pawb yn dioddef profedigaeth ar ryw adeg. Gall delio â hyn pan yn blentyn fod yn anodd. Roeddwn am gefnogi rhieni, neiniau a theidiau ac athrawon i gynnal sgyrsiau a allai alluogi eu plant i ddelio â theimladau sydd, yn aml, yn gwbl llethol. Deallwn ei fod yn anodd cefnogi’ch plentyn tra’n ceisio wynebu’ch colled eich hun, felly roeddwn am gynnig rhywbeth a allai fod o gymorth”.

Collaborating with the dedicated team at Green Wellies Publishing in Builth Wells, the Charity’s founder, Emma O’Sullivan alongside Kate, worked to lay the foundations for these stories. Anwen Nicholls and Kenneth Rees then skilfully crafted the words and illustrations to bring these ideas to life.

The Dan Y Bont series revolves around the lives of three children in a small village, each of whom has experienced a different type of loss—whether it's the passing of a grandparent, the sudden loss of a sibling, or the tragedy of a parent's suicide. These books approach these sensitive topics with great care and in a child-friendly manner, offering children explanations and suggestions for moving forward while reinforcing the message that it's okay not to feel okay during such difficult times.

Wrth gydweithio’n agos gyda thîm cyhoeddi ymroddgar Green Wellies yn Llanfair ym Muallt, aeth Emma O’Sullivan, sylfaenydd yr elusen, a Kate ati i ddatblygu seiliau cysyniadol y llyfrau hyn. Yna, defnyddiwyd talent creadigol Anwen Nicholls a Kenneth Rees i ysgrifennu a darlunio’r storïau er mwyn rhoi bywyd i’r syniadau hyn.

Troella gyfres Dan Y Bont o gwmpas bywydau tri o blant mewn pentref bach, ac mae pob un ohonynt wedi dioddef colled wahanol - p’un ai bod hynny’n farwolaeth tadcu neu famgu, colli brawd neu chwaer yn sydyn neu hunan-laddiad trasig rhiant. Mae’r llyfrau hyn yn trafod y themáu sensitif hyn gyda gofal mawr ac mewn dull cyfeillgar i blant wrth gynnig esboniadau ac awgrymiadau ynghylch symud ymlaen, tra’n atgyfnerthu’r neges ei fod yn iawn i beidio â theimlo’n iawn mewn cyfnodau mor anodd.

Emma, who is also a primary school teacher, established The DPJ Foundation after losing her husband Daniel Picton-Jones to suicide. Emma's personal experiences with her own children following the loss of Daniel served as inspiration for these books. Emma says:

“I am so proud of what we have achieved with these books, alongside the team at Green Wellies. When Mali and Trystan lost their dad, there was little support for them so to now see these books available for children who are experiencing grief is wonderful. As a teacher, I see the impact of books every day and I’m glad we can now contribute to that with our own books.”

Sefydlodd Emma, sydd hefyd yn athrawes ysgol gynradd, Sefydliad DPJ wedi iddi golli ei gŵr, Daniel Picton-Jones, drwy hunanladdiad. Hysbrydolodd profiadau personol Emma gyda’i phlant ei hun yn dilyn colli Daniel i fynd ati i lunio’r llyfrau hyn. Dyma oedd gan Emma i’w ddweud:

“Dw i mor falch o’r hyn ‘rydym ni, ochr yn ochr â’r tîm yn Green Wellies, wedi’i gyflawni. Pan gollodd Mali a Thrystan eu tad doedd fawr o gefnogaeth ar gael iddynt, felly mae’n hyfryd gweld bod y llyfrau hyn ar gael i blant sy’n galaru. Fel athrawes, gwelaf yn ddyddiol effaith llyfrau a dw i mor falch ein bod yn gallu cyfrannu at hynny gyda’n llyfrau ni’n hunain”.

Books have been distributed to over 160 schools right across the country along with an accompanying assembly that is available in both English and Welsh and which can be delivered to introduce the books and open the conversation around bereavement and mental health. Assemblies will be delivered in some schools by the DPJ Foundation’s Regional Champion volunteers, including one by Mali, Emma’s daughter, who had also fundraised along with her brother Trystan and friends Reuben, Freddie and Isla who are also helping to distribute the books. Mali said:

“When mum told us about the books, we all decided to wanted to fundraise to make sure we could get these books out to schools. We didn’t have anything like this when we lost dad so it’s nice that other children and families can use the books to help.”

Trystan said “I really liked being able to look in a book and see another child who had lost their dad too and was able to get help and understand what happened. I think they will be really good for other children who have been through the same thing as me.”

Mae llyfrau wedi’u dosbarthu i dros 160 o ysgolion ar draws y wlad, ynghyd â gwasanaethau boreuol cyfrwng Cymraeg a Saesneg. Mae modd eu defnyddio i gyflwyno’r llyfrau a dechrau’r sgwrs am brofedigaeth ac iechyd meddwl. Cafodd rhai o’r gwasanaethau eu cyflwyno yn yr ysgolion gan wirfoddolwyr Pencampwyr Rhanbarthol Sefydliad DPJ, gan gynnwys un gan Mali, merch Emma, a oedd hefyd wedi bod yn codi arian yng nghwmi ei brawd Trystan a’i ffrindiau Reuben, Freddie ac Isla, sydd hefyd yn helpu dosbarthu’r llyfrau. Dyma a oedd gan Mali i’w ddweud:

“Pan soniodd mam am y llyfrau, roedd pob un ohonom wedi penderfynu ein bod am godi arian i wneud yn siwr bod y llyfrau hyn yn cyrraedd ysgolion. Doedd dim byd tebyg ar gael i ni pan gollon ni Dad. Felly, mae’n braf bod plant a theuluoedd eraill yn gallu defnyddio’r llyfrau i’w helpu”.

Dywedodd Trystan “Roeddwn wir yn hoffi darllen am blentyn arall a oedd hefyd wedi colli ei dad a chael help yn ogystal â deall yr hyn a oedd wedi digwydd. Dw i’n credu y byddant yn dda iawn ar gyfer plant eraill sydd wedi profi’r un sefyllfa”.

The charity was committed to making the books available in both English and Welsh to ensure widespread accessibility and Welsh books are currently in the print stage.

Anwen Nicholls and Ken Rees of Green Wellies Publishing are proud to have worked on these books. They said:

“We hope that the books offer some support to families when they are facing sadness, and looking to find images and words to help make sense of the challenging times in their lives. It has been an honour and great responsibility working with the DPJ on this project, and we would like to extend our thanks for being tasked with this very important piece of work.”

Roedd yr elusen wedi’i hymrwymo i sicrau bod y llyfrau ar gael yn Gymraeg a Saesneg, fel eu bod yn hygyrch i bawb, ac mae’r fersiynau Cymraeg yn nwylo’r argraffwyr ar hyn o bryd.

Mae Anwen Nicholls a Ken Rees o gwmni cyhoeddi Green Wellies yn falch eu bod wedi gweithio ar y llyfrau hyn. Dyma oedd ganddynt i’w ddweud:

“Rydym yn gobeithio y bydd y llyfrau’n cynnig rhywfaint o gymorth i deuluoedd pan y maen nhw’n wynebu tristwch, ac yn chwilio am luniau a geiriau sy’n helpu gwneud synnwyr mewn cyfnodau heriol yn eu bywydau. Mae wedi bod yn anrhydedd a chyfrifoldeb mawr i weithio gyda DPJ ar y prosiect hwn, ac hoffwn estyn ein diolch iddynt am gael y fraint o weithio ar y darn pwysig yma o waith”.

As the week commencing 10th-16th October was also ‘Ag Mental Health Week’, it’s an important opportunity for the charity to highlight the support available for mental health in agriculture, including around bereavement. Kate was keen to highlight that the books are just one aspect of the support available from the DPJ Foundation:

“We all cope differently with loss and for those that need a bit of extra help, we are here at the DPJ Foundation to listen and to support, including with counselling and other therapy. We have developed some information about the practical aspects of a death in agriculture and hope that this along with these books will help make things if not easier, then a little less hard. We also have developed free training for those in the community who want to support others with their bereavement.”

Gan fod wythnos y 10fed – 16eg o Hydref hefyd yn ‘Wythnos Iechyd Meddwl Amaeth’, mae’n gyfle pwysig i’r elusen i amlygu’r gefnogaeth sydd ar gael ar gyfer iechyd meddwl mewn amaeth, gan gynnwys profedigaeth. Roedd Kate yn awyddus i ddweud bod y llyfrau ond yn un agwedd o’r gefnogaeth sydd ar gael gan Sefydliad DPJ:

“Mae pawb yn ymdopi â cholled mewn gwahanol ffordd ac, i’r rhai hynny sydd angen ychydig mwy o help, rydym yma yn Sefydliad DPJ i wrando a chefnogi, gan gynnwys cynnig cwnsela a therapi arall. Rydym wedi datblygu peth gwybodaeth ynghylch yr agweddau ymarferol yn dilyn marwolaeth ym myd amaeth, ac yn mawr obeithio y bydd hyn, ynghyd â’r llyfrau, yn gwneud pethau’n ychydig llai anodd, os nad yn haws. Rydym hefyd wedi datblygu hyfforddiant am ddim i’r rhai hynny yn y gymuned sydd am gefnogi eraill sydd wedi dioddef profedigaeth”.

To find out more about The DPJ Foundation, their picture book launch and their services, make sure to follow them on social media. You can find them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Snapchat and TikTok.

If you believe that individual children or families in your school would benefit from their own copy of a book, please contact the DPJ Foundation.

If you need mental health support, you can call them free on 0800 587 4262 or text them on 07860 048 799 (this number doesn’t accept calls).

I wybod mwy am waith Sefydliad DPJ, y lansiad o’i llyfrau lluniau a’n gwasanaethau, gwnewch yn siwr eich bod yn ein dilyn ar gyfryngau cymdeithasol yr wythnos hon. Gallwch ddod o hyd i ni ar Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Snapchat a TikTok.

Os ydych o’r farn y byddai plant neu deuluoedd unigol yn eich hysgol yn elwa ar dderbyn copi personol o lyfr, cysylltwch â Sefydliad DPJ os gwelwch yn dda.

Os oes angen arnoch gefnogaeth iechyd meddwl gallwch ein ffonio’n ddi-dâl ar 0800 587 4262 neu anfon neges testun ar 07860 048 799 (nid yw’r rhif hwn yn derbyn galwadau).

The NEST / NYTH Framework – supporting babies, children, young people & families

by Sharon Titley

Children’s Commissioning & Transformation Team

Powys County Council

NEST is a planning tool for Regional Partnership Boards across Wales, to support the development of a whole system approach to mental health and wellbeing support services who work with babies, children, young people, and families. The NEST Framework was created in collaboration with children, young people and families, alongside other professionals throughout Wales, ensuring that their voices are at the heart of what we do, and inform us how best to support them.

This video introduces the NEST framework:

Children, young people, and families that worked together to create the Framework adopted the term NEST. This is based on the notion that a NEST has a caring quality and contains many different levels. They liked the notion that all support services adhered to this theme, making sure that they all felt nurturing, empowering, safe, and trustworthy.

Some of the main aims of NEST are to:

• Broaden the conversation around mental health and move away from thinking that only specialist services can provide help.
• Provide access to expertise and advice more quickly and easily.
• Make sure that trusted adults closest to the child understand what they can do to help and give them the skills and confidence to do so.
• A ‘No Wrong Door’ approach to those who might need extra support.
• Giving babies, children, young people, and families the right help, at the right time, in the right way.

This is the NEST framework; the acronym is around the outside of the circle and then the stakeholders in the second circle. The white segments of the circle give us the 6 core principles of NEST. The inner circle contains the underpinning values of NEST which show the expectation of services and their strategic context being psychologically informed, adopting a children’s right based approach in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, respecting equality, and inclusion, being values led and being led by a child’s development rather than their age or predetermined stage.

Powys Regional Partnership Board recognises and welcomes the introduction of the NYTH NEST Framework:

“It emphasises that every relationship and every service need to work together to prioritise what is needed most if we are to build the foundations for positive mental health and wellbeing. These qualities are even more important for those who are struggling most, which is why it is about prevention AND intervention. The NEST Framework helps us keep an overview on how everything and everyone works together to achieve the best outcome.”

The RPB's Start Well Partnership is responsible for taking forward the Regional Partnership Board’s work to strengthen and transform services for children and young people in Powys as set out in Powys’ Health and Care Strategy and will therefore be leading on the implementation of NEST in Powys. Partners of the Start Well Board have developed a multi-agency model to respond to and support the emotional health and wellbeing needs of children and young people in Powys.

The Powys model recognises the importance of the community where a child lives, the schools they attend, as well as the important relationships in a child’s life which can be strengthened to support children and young people to prevent their needs from escalating into specialised mental health and statutory services. It also focusses on early intervention and prevention, a whole systems approach, which avoids duplication and allows for integrated access to service.

This model acknowledges that children and young people are more likely to communicate with adults that they know and trust. The need to focus on the adoption and embedding of early help offers has never been more important. It aims to bring about the kind of transformational change that children, young people, and their families tell us they want.

The ambition for every relationship and every environment to feel:

• Safe, nurturing base.
• Enabled to fly the nest.
• Return to the nest if need to.
• Unique to the individual.
• Builds on natural resources.
• Multi-layered.
• Same basic need for every child – but some need additional layers.
• Every interaction is an intervention.
• It is the little things that make the biggest difference.
• Culture shift away from ‘What is wrong with a child?’ towards asking ‘What is a child’s NEST like?’
  
  

How NEST is being implemented nationally

• Community of Practice.
• National Training Programme.
• A Self-Assessment and Implementation Tool.
• Aligning cross policy work.
• Regional Partnership Board Leads' meetings.
• Built into Regional Integration Fund.

How NEST is being implemented in Powys

Start Well Partnership met in October 2022 to develop a Powys Implementation Plan, which includes some of the following actions -

• Coordinating an initial NEST self-assessment across services working with babies, children, young people, and families.
• Supporting a culture change through developing a suite of training opportunities, as well as offering accessible training on values that enhance the framework e.g. Dr Treisman training.
• Defining areas of development e.g. improving coproduction and community engagement.
• A NEST Steering Group has been established to develop a collaborative approach to embedding the NEST Framework in Powys, bringing stakeholders together to develop a shared understanding of the sustainable long-term change that is required.

If you would like to learn more about the NEST Framework in Powys, or would like to discuss any training requirements, then please contact Sharon Titley – sharon.titley@powys.gov.uk

You can read about case studies, including the Development of the Team Around the Cluster Model in Powys, in the recent Welsh Government publication: 

“NYTH / NEST in action - Good Practice Examples of the implementation 

of the NYTH / NEST framework 2023.”

Black and white photographs by Myléne from Pixabay.

Ewch allan i Fyd Natur! / Get Out and About and Active in Nature!

gan | by Hayley Sharp, Eleri Thomas, Anna Edwards & Lora Davies

Yn ein gwaith fel Swyddogion Addysg i Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog rydym wastad wedi credu bod dysgu yn yr awyr agored yn dda ar gyfer lles ac iechyd cyffredinol. Gall bod allan ym myd natur wella eich lles, eich hyder, eich iechyd corfforol a’ch ymlacio. Mae’n amlwg ni bod yr awyr agored yn cael dylanwad positif ar les pobl ifanc. Rydym wedi gweithio yn yr awyr agored gydag ysgolion a phobl ifanc ond yn ystod Covid a’r cyfnodau clo roedd rhaid i ni ddyfeisio mathau gwahanol o weithgareddau er mwyn ymgysylltu gyda phobl ifanc mewn ffyrdd gwahanol. Rydym wedi cynllunio gweithgareddau a chynhyrchu ffilmiau byr i annog paw bi fynd allan ac ymgysylltu gyda byd natur ble bynnag maent yn byw!

In our roles as Education Officers for the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority we have always believed that learning outdoors is great for all-round health and well-being. Being outdoors in nature can improve your well-being, improve your confidence, physical health and can help you to feel more relaxed. It is obvious to us that the outdoor space and surroundings our young people are exposed to has a positive impact on them. We have always worked outdoors with schools and young people but during Covid and the lockdowns we had to devise different activities to engage with young people in different ways. We have designed activities and produced short films to encourage everyone to get outside and to engage with nature wherever they lived!

Y Gwanwyn hwn, rydym yn eich annog chi i wneud yr un fath. Gwnewch amser a threulio amser gyda’ch teulu a ffrindiau yn yr awyr agored. Mae’n rhad ac am ddim, mae’n hwyl ac yn codi calon. Does dim rhaid iddo fod yn gymhleth, er weithiau mae’n teimlo fel ymdrech i fynd allan, unwaith rydych yn symud gall wneud wahaniaeth enfawr i sut rydych yn teimlo. Gall mynd am dro, roi cyfle i chi sylwi ar newidiadau ym myd natur. Anadlwch. Edrychwch ac edrychwch eto. Rhowch gyfle i sylwi ar y pethau bach. Rhowch gyfle i fwynhau. Gadewch i’r synhwyrau sylwi ac archwilio'r hyn sydd o’ch cwmpas.

This spring, we are encouraging you to do the same. Take time out and spend time with your family and friends outdoors. It’s free, fun and uplifting. It doesn’t have to be complicated and although it can sometimes feel like an effort to get out of the door, once you are moving it can make a huge difference to how you feel. Just a short walk outside can provide opportunities to notice the natural changes that are taking place. Take a moment to breathe. Look, and look again. Allow yourself time to notice the small things. Take time to enjoy. Allow your senses to notice and explore your surroundings.

Gyda’r tymor yn newid, dyma syniadau i annog pawb i fynd allan a mwynhau:

Wrth fynd am dro, beth am chwarae “Rwy’n gweld gyda’m llygaid bac hi rhywbeth glas / gwyrdd / coch…” neu os yw’r plant yn gwybod eu synau “ Rwy’n clywed rhywbeth yn cychwyn gyda….”. Gwnewch lwybr gyda saethau allan o frigau. Beth am greu casgliadau lliw gan ddefnyddio cerdyn a phlastig gludiog neu gasgliad cibab dail wrth fynd am dro.

With the season changing, here are some ideas to encourage us all to enjoy being outside:

Out on a walk look for colours and play “I spy something blue / green / red …” or if your children know their sounds, you can play “I hear something beginning with…”. Make a trail of arrows using fallen twigs. Create a colour palette of natural materials on sticky backed card to capture your journey in colour, texture and shape or a leaf kebab.

Beth am greu cyfleoedd i ddweud straeon go iawn neu rai dychmygus- pwy neu beth allai fod yn byw yn y twll yn y wal, yn y berth, mewn coeden sydd wedi cwympo neu gae? Pa siapiau allwch chi eu gweld yn y cymylau? Ewch a thegan allan ar antur neu ddefnyddio deunyddiau naturiol i ddweud stori neu chwarae gem a dychmygu sut byddent yn siarad a beth fyddent yn ei ddweud. Mwynhewch! Os nad ydych yn gwybod sut i ddechrau, cychwynnwch gyda stori gyfarwydd a defnyddiwch yr hyn sydd o’ch cwmpas i ddweud y stori. Dewch o hyd i rywbeth ym myd natur i fod yn gastell dychmygol, maes parcio, siop, a chwarae! Er enghraifft gallech ddefnyddio dail i gyfri a chwarae siop. Mae digon o gyfleoedd i greu celf naturiol a threulio mwy o amser tu allan.

Create opportunities for real stories and imaginary ones – who or what could be living in those holes in the wall, hedgerow, fallen tree or field? What shapes can you see in the clouds? Take a toy outside for an adventure or use natural materials to tell a story or play a game and imagine what they might say and how they might speak. Have fun! If you’re not sure how to start then begin with a well-known story and use what you have around you to recreate the story. Find something in nature that can be an imaginary miniature place for the castle, car park, shop, house and play! For example, you could use leaves for counting and play shops. There is often an opportunity to create natural art and continue the time outside.

Yn llawn hwyl a sbri, lliw gydag adnoddau rhad neu am ddim, dyma syniadau a ffilmiau byr a thaflenni gweithgareddau sydd wedi eu datblygu er mwyn eich ysbrydoli. O ddod o hyd i arwyddion y gwanwyn, anifeiliaid y nos, cartrefi i drychfilod neu ‘swynion ‘hud, offerynnau cerdd a hyd yn oed rygbi, dilynwch y ddolen yma.

Full of fun, colour and with natural, inexpensive or re-used resources, here are some ideas accompanied by some short films and activity sheets developed to inspire you. From spring spotters, nocturnal animals and insect hotels to magic ‘potions’, musical instruments and even rugby, follow the link here.

Gobeithio y gwnewch chi ddod o hyd i syniadau yn y llyfryn gweithgareddau hwn a fydd yn eich helpu i ddeall pam bod Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog yn ardal warchod. Bydd hyn yn eich gwneud yn llysgennad da a fydd yn gallu helpu eraill i ddeall pam y dylem edrych ar ôl yr ardal at y dyfodol. Bydd y gweithgareddau yn eich helpu i ddarganfod mwy am blanhigion arbennig ac anifeiliaid a lleoliadau Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog a bydd hefyd yn helpu chi feddwl am sut gallwch chi fwynhau ac edrych ar ôl yr ardal rydych chi’n byw ynddi.

Yn y ddolen hon gallwch argraffu llyfryn gyda gweithgareddau i’w cwblhau a thystysgrif Llysgennad Ifanc y Parc Cenedlaethol.

We hope you find some ideas in this activity booklet which will help you understand more about why the Brecon Beacons National Park is a protected area. This will make you a great ambassador who can help others understand why we should look after this area for the future. The activities will help you to discover more about the special plants, animals and places in the Brecon Beacons National Park and will also help you to think about how you can enjoy and look after the area where you live.

In this link you can print out a booklet with activities to complete and a National Park Young Ambassador certificate.

Os am fwy o ysbrydoliaeth at y Gwanwyn, beth am wneud adduned i wneud newid positif at y dyfodol? Mae ein Llysgennad Ifanc o 2022 Dylan E. Matthews wedi meddwl am newidiadau y gallwn eu cymryd a fydd yn cael effaith positif ar Weithredu ar yr Hinsawdd:

A- Arbed ynni, diffoddwch e!
Dd- Ddaw dim lles o wastraffu
E- Eich cinio.
W- Wrth ymarfer corff
I- I deithio o le i le.
D- datblygwn erddi
I-I fyd natur.
O-Osgoi pwysau ar ein cyflenwad dŵr
N-Nawr safwn yn falch a rhannwn

Mae cerdd Dylan yn dweud cyfrolau, ond os hoffech chi fwy o syniadau, edrychwch ar y ddolen yma.

Needing some more inspiration to jump into Spring and pledge to make a positive change for our future? Our Youth Ambassador for 2022 Dylan E. Matthews captures some changes we can all make for positive Climate Action:

P- Power down, save energy
L- Lunches free of waste
E- Exercise, place to place
D- Develop homes for nature
G- Grow a garden
E- Ease pressure on the water
S- Stand proud and share

We think Dylan’s poem speaks volumes, but if you would like some more ideas have a look at our link here.

Gyda’r nos – diffoddwch y golau ac edrych fyny! / In the evenings - power down, look up!

Mae llygredd golau isel yn dda nid yn unig i syllu ar y sêr ond i fywyd gwyllt y nos ac i’n lles ni ein hun.

Mae lleihau llygredd golau yn cadw ein rhythm circadian (ein cloc corfforol) i weithredu’n naturiol. Pan aflonyddir ar y rhythm yma, gall achosi newidiadau meddyliol, corfforol ac ymddygiadol.

Mae bywyd gwyllt hefyd angen tywyllwch i gynnal cylched circadian, fel rydym ni. Mae niferoedd llawer o rywogaethau’r nos fel gwyfynod a draenogod yn gostwng. Mae ystlumod yn amrywio eu llwybrau er mwyn osgoi golau artiffisial, a gall hyn gael effaith ar eu gallu i hela neu osgoi ysglyfaeth. Trwy leihau ein llygredd aer gallwn helpu i ddiogelu bywyd gwyllt y nos. Mae Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog yn dathlu deng mlynedd o fod yn Warchodfa Awyr Dywyll.

Beth am gael eich ysbrydoli gan anifeiliaid y nos a gwneud eich celf eich hun? Mae hefyd llawer o syniadau i ysgogi pobl ifanc am awyr y nos yma.

Low light pollution is not only good for stargazing, but also vital to nocturnal wildlife and to human wellbeing.

Reducing light pollution keeps our circadian rhythm (our body clock) functioning normally. When this rhythm is disrupted, it can cause behavioural, physical and mental changes.

Wildlife also needs darkness to maintain circadian cycles, just as humans do. Many nocturnal species, from hedgehogs to moths, are in decline. Bats will alter their routes to avoid artificial light, and this can have impacts on their ability to hunt or to avoid predators. By reducing our light pollution we can help protect our nocturnal wildlife. The Brecon Beacons National Park is celebrating ten years of being a Dark Sky Reserve.

Why not be inspired by nocturnal animals and make your own art? There are also lots of ideas to engage your youngsters with the night sky here.

Os ydych yn gallu teithio, beth am ymweld â Chanolfan Ymwelwyr y Parc Cenedlaethol, ger Libanus (LD3 8ER) - edrychwch allan am yr arwyddion ffordd. Mae llawer o gyfleusterau newydd yno yn cynnwys parc chwarae, parcio i’r anabl newydd a pod newid newydd. Mae Café, siopa a Chanolfan wybodaeth yno hefyd. Ceir digon o le i chwarae, ymlacio ac archwilio. Os ydych awydd antur mwy o faint gallwch grwydro’r comin gyda golygfeydd godidog!

Cyn bo hir bydd cadair olwyn ar gyfer pob tirwedd y gallwch ei fenthyg o’r Ganolfan Ymwelwyr.

If you can travel, why not visit the National Park Visitor Centre, near Libanus (LD3 8ER) - look out for signs to get you there. It has great new facilities. There is a new playpark, new disabled parking and a new changing pod as well as a lovely café, shop and information centre. Within the grounds there is plenty of room to play, explore and relax. If you want a bigger adventure there is also easy access to the common with even more incredible views!

There will soon be an all-terrain wheelchair to borrow, based at the Visitor Centre.

Lleoliad arall gwerth ei ymweld yw Parc Gwledig Craig-y-nos, (SA9 1GL). Wedi ei leoli ym mhen uchaf Cwm Tawe mae’n le hyfryd i archwilio gyda choed, pyllau, afon a chaeau a llawer o lwybrau llydan, gwastad addas i gadeiriau olwyn a phramiau. Dewch i weld y Gerddi Cymunedol sy’n cael ei redeg gan wirfoddolwyr- efallai y cewch syniadau newydd. Mae toiledau, café a siop a gweithdy ar y safle ac mae digwyddiadau yn cael eu cynnal yn aml. Mae ar lwybr bws T6.

Another great family friendly day out is to Craig-y-nos Country Park, (SA9 1GL). It is in the Upper Swansea Valley and is a wonderful place to explore. It has woods, meadows, ponds and rivers as well as lots of wide, level paths suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Come and have a look at the volunteer run Community Garden – you might pick up some new ideas. There are toilets, a café, shop and workshops on site and there are often events taking place. It is also on the T6 bus route.

Swyddogion Addysg i Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog 

Education Officers Brecon Beacons National Park Authority

Rydym yn cynnig ystod wych o weithgareddau i grwpiau Ysgol, gallwch dderbyn mwy o wybodaeth yma.

Ar ol tywyllwch ac oerni’r gaeaf, mae arwyddion bywyd newydd y gwanwyn yn dechrau ymddangos. Gyda’r dyddiau’n ymestyn a’r tywydd yn cynhesu beth am fynd allan ac archwilio, gan ddefnyddio’ch synhwyrau i fwynhau’r hyn sydd i’w weld, glywed a’i arogli o’ch cwmpas.

We offer a great range of activities for school groups, more information can be found here.

After the cold and dark of winter, signs of new life begin to emerge in spring. With the days getting longer and warmer why not get out and explore, using all your senses to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of your surroundings.

Am fwy o wybodaeth am ein Gwasanaeth Addysg, cysylltwch gyda ni ar | For more information on our Education Service contact us on educationemail@beacons-npa.gov.uk

Children's Mental Health Week 2023 - how to maintain good mental health in school

Children's Mental Health Week 2023, 6 - 12 February, is all about making a difference to the lives of children and young people across the UK. The awareness week is organised and promoted by the charity Place2Be. The theme this year is "Let's Connect." 

Today, as part of our week-long celebration of Children’s Mental Health Week, we are pleased to introduce a young guest author. Lucy is a member of the Junior Start Well Board* in Powys, and writes about her life as a high school pupil here in Mid Wales.

Maintaining good mental health may come as a struggle and is a constant balancing act. However, it does not always have to be a difficult and negative experience. 

As a teenager (I’m 15 years old) I can really appreciate how complicated our continuously changing lives are and living in the moment allows me to relate to and understand many problems teenagers are facing currently. Whether that would be post COVID struggles such as social anxiety and work overload, or simply exam stresses to friendship and relationship problems. 

All the listed above are completely understandable and relatable issues for many at the moment, and it would be inconsiderate not to address them. If you find yourself in any one of these situations where you’re not sure how to balance your head with your heart and maintain a sensible level of emotion, don't be afraid to reach out to others for help.

It is not often thought about, but we all have a mental health, and almost 100% of what we do will impact that mental health some way or another. Be it good or bad. This is where the balancing comes into practice. 

Changing lives and changing emotions, will mean a changing headspace. Here is what appears scary. Uncontrollable thoughts and feelings will arise, that will weigh you down like the devil and angel. None of which can be predicted. Way to dramatise, right? But that is how we feel. 

Finding ourselves can be a daunting experience; social image and acceptance are crucial in a young person’s life, however much they tell us that it doesn’t matter. Of course, it’s built into society, and no amount of preaching will fix that problem. On the one hand, having something to work toward, and maintain yourself for, is always an asset in life. On the other hand, don’t be fooled into a negative mindset of focusing on others’ opinions of you.

High school is like juggling balls of fire. You take your eye off the ball, and all hell breaks loose. Of course, in reality it’s not that deep, but try telling me that when friendships are broken, and secrets are spilled the day before I have an important exam. So how do we cope with stresses like this?

The simplest answer: Take a chill-pill. Sit down and just think. Remove any social device from your presence and commit to a full connection with your emotions. Ask yourself, how am I feeling? Why am I feeling this way? Is this a normal feeling? Or a new feeling? What is the best way to get rid of this feeling?

A feeling of overwhelm and confusion is best dealt with in a way which works for you. Be it, writing it down on a piece of paper – and burn it later if you want - (this works best for me), messaging a friend or family member to let out your emotions, and have a little rant, even recording a voice note and then deleting it after. Any way you can use to release your emotions is beneficial for your mental health. Even the smallest of things. Imagine wringing out a dirty wet sponge. All that weight and dirt and grime has built up until you can take no more. The only way is out.

All being said, the best way to aid a situation like this, is to avoid it all together. As I mentioned, High School is an unpredictable place, where we can be dragged into all sorts of issues that are beyond our control. But let’s back up and take a look at what is within our control.

Having a healthy work / life balance is wildly important for anyone, and in school it’s just the same. Attitude going into classes will determine how the teachers view you and your values. And remember; respect goes both ways. The best way to enjoy school is to be honest, open, and caring to all around you. That will make school life easier. In turn this should take stress off exams, as you will start to enjoy your classes. 

As for friendships and relationships, they will fluctuate with time, so don’t let that put you off. We can’t hold on to something that is not meant to be. And to be honest, try and avoid being petty. Life’s too short to hold a grudge.

The main person in control of your emotions is you. So do things that make you happy, have friends that make you happy, and go places that make you happy.

Having experienced many of the things above myself, I hope this advice will act as an understanding of what we go through as teenagers. From one to another.

*Junior Start Well Board is a group of young people aged 11 – 17 years of age who meet every month to talk about the issues affecting young people. The purpose of the group is to listen to the views and the opinions of their peers and provide a voice for young people in Powys, so that they can feedback and contribute to decisions that affect them. Based on these conversations, they ask to meet with the services in Powys who are best placed to listen and respond or look at setting up any new projects in response to need.

If you would like more information on how to join please contact sharon.titley@powys.gov.uk

Find out more about SilverCloud online resources for children, young people and supportive adults.

Reading Well for teens suggests recommended reading and digital resources to help you understand your feelings and boost your confidence.

Photos from unSplash - Nick Fewings