A transformational Youth Hub for students with Additional Support Needs has started once again at the Falkirk Campus, thanks to funding from the Falkirk Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund.
The Fund which is managed by CVS Falkirk, on behalf of the Scottish Government, awarded FVC a grant of £9,261 which has allowed the Youth Hub to take place at our Falkirk Campus on Tuesday afternoons from 4-6pm.
At the Youth Hub – run by Additional Support Worker Ewan Aiken - small groups of Additional Support Needs (ASN) students come together and socialise through games, and at times through trips out of the College, such as walks to The Kelpies and The Helix. The overall aim is to support their mental health and wellbeing through coming together in an informal setting – helping to discuss any issues and also make friends.
Tariq Mahmood, Team Leader for Organisational Development at CVS Falkirk, said: “Like the other funded projects, the Youth Hub exemplifies many of the key aims of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund – including the opportunity for participating students to build social connections, which can help them create a strong, supportive network for when they need it. We’re delighted to be able to fund the Youth Hub, and the other successful applicants from Round 2, and wish everyone all the best with their projects.”
Pauline Jackson, FVC’s Development and Fundraising Manager, said: “Thanks to the funding from the Falkirk Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund we have been able to offer this additional resource to support learners. The importance of this cannot be underestimated particularly as we still feel the impacts post-Covid on the ability and opportunities for our ASN students to socialise out with their College course”.
Ewan Aiken, said: “Every student from Lifestart and Workstart courses from all three campuses are invited to attend. These small sessions are excellent for the ASN students as this allows them to have time in College that is not based in classrooms and around work, but instead time spent liaising with their classmates, and even students who they have not had the chance to meet from different campuses.
“The Youth Hub was very successful previously when it had been run just before the end of last term, with high attendances and many of the Workstart students thoroughly enjoyed their time there. We are hoping that some of the previous attendees who are completing their second year return.”
Anyone needing more information on the Youth Hub should contact ewan.aiken@forthvalley.ac.uk