Young people across north Oxfordshire will benefit from enhanced mental health support, thanks to a recent council decision.
Published: Tuesday, 5th November 2024
At the executive meeting on Monday, 4 November, councillors agreed to expand the current Youth Activator and You Move programmes. The decision commits the council to expanding mental health provision for children and families across the local area.
Eight additional schools will benefit from 48 new physical and mental health sessions that will be run from December 2024 until April 2025, and thirty families will be able to access additional You Move sessions.
To help further shape future provision for younger residents, £3,500 from the policy contingency budget will be allocated to support research with public health and education partners into youth mental health needs and explore long-term funding opportunities to enhance local services.
Councillor Rob Pattenden, Portfolio Holder for Healthy Communities, said: “It is concerning to hear that across Oxfordshire, there has been an increase in young people needing to access support to address mental health issues.
“It is crucial that we have programmes in place for our young people to be able to learn about mental health and how they can access support to address any problems they may be experiencing.
“Being able to undertake research is key in understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by young people today. Using these findings, we can create a foundation of support that extends into schools, homes, and beyond, ensuring that every young person in Cherwell has the support they need to thrive.”
The council’s Youth Activators initiative works closely with schools across north Oxfordshire to provide physical and mental sessions for children aged five to 16. Last year the team delivered physical and mental wellbeing provision in 46 schools within the district and saw over twenty thousand attendances.
Families can take part in a number of free or low-cost activities through the You Move programme. Sessions are designed to give families the chance to play and interact together, with all ages and abilities catered to. Eligible families can find out more and sign up online.