We are delighted to welcome a new member of staff to The HeadStart Team.
Introducing Gill….
‘My name’s Gill and I started with Headstart a few weeks ago. I have previously worked as a Children’s Social Worker, and have also worked as a Children’s Representative with First Choice Holidays – yes I was one of those people getting pushed in the pool by the children, and volunteered with the Girl Guides.
During my first 2 weeks with Headstart, I have shadowed Andy and Adam. We set up a stall in Middlesbrough College – as part of Mental Health Awareness week, and spoke to the students around the Headstart programme and we talked about mental health and what things we can do to make us feel better. I visited St Bernadette’s, Park End and Thorntree Primary schools. We completed a session with a group of Year 6’s around confidence, and spoke to a Class of Year 2’s around feelings and emotions. Andy and Adam ensured the session was informative, interactive and fun, and everyone joined in with the discussions and activities. It was lovely to see the positive relationships between Andy, Adam, the school staff and the pupils, and the positive engagement from the students, within the group sessions.
In the coming weeks, I will also be getting involved and supporting with the Transitions, for the year 6’s progressing to Secondary school, which is an important stage in a young person’s life.
It is important that we talk more about our mental health and continue to do this, and learn strategies that will build our emotional resilience, to deal with any challenges in life, and I am excited to be part of the Headstart Team that are supporting young people and schools with this. I am looking forward to meeting all the Headstarters, and building my own relationships with the students and staff’.
Published: June 3