The ground breaking HeadStart Wolverhampton programme is recruiting Year 7 pupils as mini ambassadors who will influence its services and help ensure it delivers the very best support for young people in the City.
They will work alongside HeadStart's Young People Engagement (HYPE) Team to shape provision in the four key HeadStart Wolverhampton target areas where need is known to be greatest: Low Hill, The Scotlands and Bushbury South; Springfield, Heath Town, Park Village and Eastfield; All Saints, Blakenhall, Parkfields and Ettingshall; and Bilston East.
The mini ambassadors programme was officially launched with a special event at the Big Venture Centre in Low Hill on Thursday (18 January) attended by potential mini ambassadors and their parents.
Sunita Pallan-Jhalli, Senior Young Person Engagement Coordinator, said: "We have been inundated with applications and it's wonderful to see so many young people wanting to help preserve the mental wellbeing of their peers.
"All our mini ambassadors have to complete a short application form, telling us a bit about themselves, why they want to become a mini ambassador and what they hope to bring to the role.
"Our chosen mini ambassadors will be providing a voice for younger people in Wolverhampton, and have the opportunity to choose local initiatives and add value to community projects."
Councillor Val Gibson, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "The mini ambassadors programme allows young people to have their say on the support they, and their peers, need most. As well as contributing to their local communities, they will become active agents of change City-wide, and have the chance to gain accreditation too.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to get involved in, and I would encourage Year 7 pupils in the four key HeadStart target areas to apply."
For more details about becoming a mini ambassador, please email Sunita Pallan-Jhalli via headstart@wolverhampton.gov.uk or call 01902 550851.
HeadStart Wolverhampton is designed to improve the mental health and well being of children and young people aged 10 to 16 by giving them the skills they need to cope with the challenges of modern life.
As well as running a series of specific programmes in its 4 key target areas, HeadStart Wolverhampton offers city wide help through a Type=links;Linkid=9943;Title=Support and Guidance Directory;Target=_blank; which provides well-being and mental health resources from different organisations, including information targeted at young people, parents and carers, and professionals.
To find out more about HeadStart, please visit Type=links;Linkid=6584;Title=HeadStart;Target=_blank;, follow @headstartfm on Twitter or Instagram, or find HeadStart on Type=links;Linkid=7788;Title=Facebook;Target=_blank;.
- released: Wednesday 24 January, 2018