Brandon youth project is top of the class

A Brandon youth project is top of the class when it comes to helping young people.

Brandon Carrside and Youth Project used a £5,000 grant from County Durham Community Foundation’s Community Grants Fund to help children transition successfully to secondary school.

The project used activities and online sessions to help children understand their mental health and the importance of well-being.

Quality education

Although the sessions started in the classroom, the team had to move online due to lockdown. Despite the disruption they were still able to educate children about topics like healthy eating and its affect on mood, bullying, anxiety, smoking and the importance of treating each other with kindness.

One participant said: “I’ve loved these past few weeks. It has been so much fun. I can’t wait for the next time we have sessions with you. It has helped me open up a lot more and made me feel that I can tell people how I’m feeling, so thank you so much.”

Winning project

Brandon Carrside Youth Project was set up in 1964 and covers the area of Brandon Byshottles Parish Council. It provides advice, support and guidance to young people in a confidential and safe environment and offers issue-based workshops, the opportunity to gain awards and skills and the chance to go on trips so that young people get to experience new places.

The project was recently awarded the headline grant at the Foundation’s High Sheriff Awards, taking home £2,500 for its outstanding efforts to support and involve young people through lockdown. Last year, the project worked with 280 young people, 200 other users in the community including the elderly and babies, offered eight residential experiences, 30 off-site visits and 50 people achieved a nationally-recognised award.