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Flintshire Junior schools benefit from wellbeing pilot scheme

Published: 27/09/2017

Flintshire Communities First has been running a pilot scheme with the Meee Project to help and support local children. The Meee Project (My Education, Employment and Enterprise) offers specially designed workshops which teach techniques for coping with the stress and anxiety many feel when they lose a sense of where they fit in - whether in school, work or wider society. Flintshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education and Youth, Councillor Ian Roberts, said: “The aim of this particular pilot is to help all school children, including those who are in danger of becoming disaffected and disillusioned, identify new skills and where necessary reengage with education, through a series of inspirational workshops run by a range of education and wellbeing experts.” The pilot scheme involves a series of two-hour workshops with children selected from Flintshire schools. Sessions cover a range of topics including self-esteem, ambition, enterprise, health, ethics, belief, well-being, languages, diversity and communications. A variety of methods are used to engage, inform and inspire pupils, including individual and group work, presentation writing and skills, creative thinking and application. The pilot has now been extended, following a successful three-month trial with Ysgol Maesglas in Holywell and Ysgol Caer Nant in Connah’s Quay. Over 50 Year 5 and Year 6 children attended workshops. Sid Madge, founder of the Meee Project, said: “The extended pilot scheme is a fantastic endorsement of the work we are trying to do, to help young people find themselves, to be inspired and to engage with education in a different way.” Commenting on the experience at Ysgol Maesglas, head teacher, Gavin Cass, said: “We were delighted to be a pilot school for this project. Sid and his team are so enthusiastic and understanding. They worked tremendously hard to give our pupils a real boost prior to moving on to high school. My staff and pupils were very positive about the experience and cant wait to work with Meee again.” Kate Fox-Parry, head teacher of Ysgol Cae’r Nant, said: “The MEEE project for our pupils was totally in line with our growth mind set work, the children really enjoyed it, as it certainly challenged them and set high expectations for them.” The extended pilot will run from September 2017 to the end of March 2018.