Active in Mind

The Active in Mind national pilot is funded through Sport England National Lottery funding. It established 25 projects that targeted those young people who are already experiencing low level mental health issues and are already part of a wellbeing support programme within the school (pastoral support/counselling) or beyond the school (Tier 1 or 2 Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services).

The projects create a ‘nurture group’ environment for those young people most in need of support, using sport and physical activity as the vehicle for change. They increase physical activity and provide an alternative approach to simply addressing the mental health of the participant and look to also address their lifestyle, mindset and support network. The primary outcomes are to address inactivity and develop positive behaviours but also to provide a safe environment with their peers for young people to share personal insight, experiences and support of mental health issues.

This approach supports the knowledge and insight gained from previous successful interventions and is reinforced by Sport England’s youth insight reports. The projects are supported by a named and trained Wellbeing Champion (lead adult member of staff) and delivered through a small team of Young Mental Health Champions (young people aged 15-18) who receive advanced training in developing strategies to improve mental wellbeing and reduce stress and anxiety in their peers. Each setting works with the additional support services that are available to the school for mental health awareness and training and will be part of the schools’ holistic approach to mental health.

Each of the 25 schools has embarked on sharing the learning, insight and resources from their pilots with three partner schools who will now access the programme from January 2019 meaning there will be 100 Active in Mind projects being delivered.

For further information, please contact:

Chris Wright
Head of Health & Wellbeing
chris.wright@youthsporttrust.org
07702 370139