The Leigh Youth and Community Development Trust has been successfully selected by The Peel Group Foundation to receive further support to continue delivering their impactful work in the community.

A grant from The Peel Group Foundation will be provided to the Leigh Youth and Community Development Trust’s ‘A Team Hub’, a designated centre which supports SEND Children and young adults with Neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and ADHD along with other SEND children and their families. The services delivered from the A Team Hub enhance and support the community by creating a safe and non-judgemental space, in which educational attainment, physical and mental wellbeing are all improved. Social inclusion is promoted by preventing people from becoming excluded, relieving the needs of those marginalised and assisting them to integrate back into society. 

Inspiring Minds Programme 

The grant will be used towards delivering the Trust’s ‘Inspiring Minds Programme’, which is an early intervention programme, which will help a minimum of 25 children/young adults with neurodevelopmental conditions, as well as their family members and caregivers, by giving them the tools required to develop successful coping mechanisms along with support and understanding.

When a child or young adult is diagnosed with Neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism, ADHD, sensory processing order, cerebral palsy or Tourette’s it can be a difficult and confusing time for them, which can impact greatly on their mental wellbeing.

Running over 12 months, The Inspiring Minds Programme will be delivered by working with the whole family through small group sessions, one-to-ones and parent workshops offering parent support to gain the best outcome for the child and family. The Trust will continue working closely with the CAMHS LD team, Parent Carer Forums, SEND officers from local schools and head teachers to deliver sessions such as talking groups, respite sessions, educational workshops/training, physical activity sessions and sensory stimulation sessions as part of the Inspiring Minds Programme.

Through regular assessments and tracking, the programme aims to create a positive impact which will equip the children, young adults, and their families to support and control their needs whilst giving them the tools and techniques to succeed.

A positive impact on the mental wellbeing of the children and their family members

Hannah Forbes, who has over 15 years of working in mental wellbeing and community delivery and is the Programmes Director at the Leigh Youth and Community Development Trust said: “We are extremely grateful to the Peel Group Foundation for providing us with the funding to support us in the delivery of the Inspiring Minds Programme. Through our existing work with families of SEND children and young people, schools and practitioners, we understand first hand of the overwhelming need for a programme that will provide these young individuals with the tools required to help them to understanding their diagnosis and cope better with challenges they are facing due to their needs.  The funding will allow us to provide this service having a positive impact on the mental wellbeing of the children and their family members.”

The project aligns with our core principles

Kate Holland, a member of The Peel Group Foundation Council added: “The team from Leigh Youth and Community Development Trust, provided a compelling case study on the outcomes and benefits the work provides in supporting families leading up to and after a neurodevelopmental diagnosis. 

“The project very much aligned with one of our core principles that supports the physical and mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. “We hope that the individuals and families who use the programme will find it helpful and that they can utilise the skills taught to go on to achieve great things whilst receiving the support they deserve.

“We are so pleased and privileged to enable the Trust offer such a crucial service.”

To find out more information about the Leigh Youth and Community Development trust, please visit: https://www.leighcommunitytrust.co.uk/