A team of NC Working with Communities students are on their marks and set to make a difference by organising an activity day at Comely Park Primary School during Mental Health Awareness Week 2022.
On the school’s sports pitch on Tuesday 10 May, the group of seven students: Jake Duncan (18) from Doune who has the role of Chair/Project Manager for the project, Shavanna Johnstone (18) from Letham, Social Media/Promotions/Marketing, Fern Ford (18) from Sauchie, Social Media/Promotions/Marketing, Lisa Shepherd (41) from Stenhousemuir, Community Liaison, Kim Martin (24) from Cornton, Resources and Equipment, Rukhma Rhukma (19) from Camelon, Media and Zoe Drummond (21) from Tullibody, Health and Safety, have organised a Sports Day type event for Primary 7 pupils.
They have organised five different event stations, each containing a different exercise/activity for the youngsters to take part and these include:
- Race Station - Sack race, Egg and Spoon, Beanbag Race
- Athletics Station - Javelin, Standing Long Jump
- Fitness Station - Circuits, Fitness to Music
- Sport Station - Football, Basketball, Touch Rugby
- Quiz Station – Word searches, Quizzes and a presentation on Mental Health
Student Lisa Shepherd, said: “During our investigations in college, we discovered that the issue of mental health among young people in this age group has risen significantly in recent years, particularly with COVID. We felt it was already difficult for them at this age with the transition from primary to secondary school, so we wanted to raise awareness about mental health, the different types (such as stress and anxiety), and provide them with information on how to cope with it all (such as sports and exercise).
“We hope that the event will raise awareness of what mental health is, as well as some of the early signs of it, and also provide them with ideas to combat negative thoughts and make them aware of the various agencies that can assist them..
“We are all very excited about the event as a class. We are all very passionate about promoting healthy mental health attitudes and doing our part, however small, to help people, which is why we chose NC Working within Communities as our course. We've spent the last few months researching and planning this event, and we all hope that it gives these young people some insight into mental health, shows them fun ways to cope with stress, and shows them that being a sufferer is no longer a stigma.”