The Corona Virus pandemic and the absence of many vulnerable children from the school system for a prolonged length of time, has left many schools across the UK concerned. At Brimington Junior School Staff are keen to identify and support those with mental health concerns promptly, to help them regain confidence and stability so they can enjoy the school environment once more and gain resilience and self-help skills for life.
Staff are keen to identify and support those with mental health concerns promptly, to help them regain confidence and stability so they can enjoy the school environment once more and gain resilience and self-help skills for life.
The school has mental health champions and has invested in a nurture room space. But teachers are still feeling that they need to step in and support youngsters who are not yet receiving statutory help
Brimington school, added;
“Where possible, the 3 teachers trained to deal with Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for trauma will work with the children with more complex mental health issues in their classes. However, with the new Government safety procedures and children and staff being in class bubbles, the teachers cannot have access to other children in different classes. This leaves 9 classes out of 12 without specialist mental health support. The biggest impact came from Jody, an external counsellor who came for a day per week to work with our most at-risk pupils. We would love to continue her weekly visits and as she is an external member of staff, she wouldn’t be part of a bubble, so she could have access to children from all 12 classes.”
To offer support to the children affected at Brimington school 1% Matters Fund has donated £1,000 which will cover four daily sessions with Jody, which will be spread throughout the Winter to Spring terms.
Nick Newberry, Brimington head teacher: added
“This wonderful grant will allow our school to employ a trained counsellor to promote positive mental health for our most in need pupils.”
Sarah Stainthorpe, Assistant Director Grants: added
“Access to timely, good quality mental health support for young people is in greater need than ever. We’re delighted that the 1% Matters Fund continues to provide grants through Foundation Derbyshire to support vulnerable Derbyshire communities”
Launched in 2015 by David Ryley, the 1% Matters Fund provides small grants to local projects who are helping young people, the elderly or other vulnerable members of the community.
In Derbyshire, the 1% Matters Fund is looked after by independent charity, grant maker and philanthropy hub, Foundation Derbyshire. Foundation Derbyshire has over 60 funds set up by local businesses, families and individuals, all sharing the common bond of wanting to give local. 1% Matters is a valued fund within the Foundation, with the 1% Matters team welcomed into their donor family back in 2017.
Explaining more about the 1% Matters Fund and his support of Brimington Primary school, David Ryley said:
“I’m really passionate about the local community and doing all I can to give back and believe that as business leaders we have a duty to give back where we can. This is why I made the decision to launch the 1% Matters Fund, funded through donations of 1% of profits of business leaders across the region. I’m so pleased to have been able to provide support to the school to help them continue the great work they are doing in having a positive impact on the children’s mental health.”
To find out more about how you can get involved with the 1% Matters Fund, visit http://www.1percentmatters.co.uk/