Myerscough extend partnership to improve mental health in young people

Myerscough has teamed up with the Lancashire Wildlife Trust as part of the Myplace initiative, a scheme that aims to encourage people to take part in environmental activity to bring positive benefits for their own health and mental wellbeing, as well as to their local community.

Myplace aims to reach as many people as possible who may be experiencing mental health issues using what’s called ‘eco-therapy’, where the young people involved can develop new skills and increase their self-esteem therefore building resilience and self-confidence.

‘Myplace’ (Motivated Young People Looking After Community Environments), targets young people aged between 13 and 25 years old, living in the Chorley, Preston and West and East Lancashire areas. The project offers a range of fun and rewarding outdoor activities for young people that will include bushcraft, food growing, walks, conservation tasks and mindfulness.

Myerscough has already had significant involvement in the project, including the running of weekly sessions with the College’s Level 1 Employability students based at the College’s Witton Park campus.  These engaged the students in working on the site on tasks such as food growing, building a hedge and managing the woodland and garden, as well as engaging the students in community activities.

The project, in partnership with the Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Lancashire Care Foundation Trust, is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund, and is one a number across the country and gives young people referred the opportunity to be involved in a 9-month environmental programme of activity.

The signing of the agreement will see the project working with students throughout the College’s subject areas, and details a Code of Practice which sets out and formalises the relationship between Myerscough an the Myplace scheme.

The agreement also adds to the College’s already substantial student and staff support network, which includes an excellent range of welfare services provided by a dedicated advice and guidance team. This includes a specialist Inclusive Learning team providing a flexible response to students with disabilities or specific learning difficulties, counselling, careers guidance and childcare.

For more details about the project CLICK HERE or you can watch a video below: