Clash wind farm fund invests in mental health support for youngsters in Huntly, Rhynie and Dufftown
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MORE young people in the Huntly, Rhynie and Cabrach areas will soon be able to have mental health support.
Clashindarroch Wind Farm Community Fund has awarded £13,927 to Full Colour Coaching, a not-for-profit company, founded by local woman Angie Shearer.
Over the past two years, Ms Shearer, (36) a PE teacher has gained coaching qualifications and completed courses in positive psychology to help the growing number of young people experiencing negative thoughts and a lack of confidence.
She used holidays and weekends to complete the training and one course, delivered from America even required her to be online in the middle of the night. Her family rallied round and nephew Ryan allowed her to hone her coaching skills in sessions with him.
She already has positive feedback for work with pupils at The Gordon Schools and Meldrum Academy and the latest award will allow her to extend her work to primary schools in Rhynie, Dufftown and Huntly as well as The Gordon Schools.
The grant will contribute towards the costs of expert coaches and trainers, materials, and team building expeditions. Additional funding has been secured from Aberdeenshire Council and Dummuies Windfarm Community Fund.
The aim of the project is to respond to the challenges of modern-day life and the impact of the pandemic on young people.
Ms Shearer said:"Early intervention is key to supporting mental wellbeing, by helping young people to develop their own coping strategies ahead of things escalating. There were young people in need of help before the pandemic but there are even more now.
“This funding will make a huge difference to the mental health and wellbeing of young people in the area, especially during these difficult times.
"More young people are experiencing anxiety, stress and low confidence and self-esteem than ever before. With coaching and wellbeing strategies we can support them at an earlier stage to improve their wellbeing.
"I’m extremely grateful to the Clashindarroch Wind Farm Community Fund and Foundation Scotland for the funding so we can offer these vital opportunities free of charge to the young people and schools we work with.”
She will offer one-to-one and group coaching for school pupils, P7 transition help,training for teachers and senior students to becomes coaches in their own schools, teacher resource packs, team-building days for young people, and support for young people to become ‘wellbeing ambassadors’ to promote positive mental health and wellbeing to their peers.
Pete Kunz, Vattenfall’s Service Leader for Clashindarroch Wind Farm said: “Supporting young people’s mental health and personal resilience is so important. I am pleased that Clashindarroch Wind Farm Community Fund has been able to support this project. Bringing access to this service should help to make a real difference to young people’s lives.”
The next deadline for grant applications is Monday, January 24 with decisions being made in March 2021. For more information and to apply for a grant visit www.foundationscotland.org.uk/apply-for-funding/funding-available/clashindarroch
