Phase is a small Hitchin charity with a big mission – to work alongside young people to promote their wellbeing and resilience.

With youngsters heading back to school next year after a challenging year, Phase's mission becomes even more important as they attempt to help ease the challenges of lockdown, social distancing and stress caused by Covid.

Phase strongly believe that when children are supported early it is possible to prevent more serious emotional and mental health issues developing.

So, read on for Phase's highgly-acclaimed director Kieran Murphy share his thoughts as pupils gear up to return to school next week.

....................

Most children are resilient, but some do need additional support especially with the full return to school from March 8.

Over the past six months a new group has been set up to ensure additional support is available for children, students, parents/carers and teachers.

The Hitchin Mental Health Recovery Team brought together representatives from Hitchin Primary and Secondary Schools to discuss the support needed for our young people returning to school after lock-down.

The plan brings together the skills, knowledge and expertise of local organisations to provide the best possible mental health and wellbeing support for the children.

Sharing resources and collectively agreeing a way forward is the best way to reach as many young people as possible without duplication.

The team is made up of the following charities and organisations:- Hitchin Youth Trust, the Rotary Club of Hitchin Tilehouse, Hitchin Partnership CIO, Grit, Stand-By-Me, Phase, Tilehouse Counselling, NESSie and The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living.

All were keen to be involved and help support our young people.

Feedback from school representatives guided the team to put together a staged programme to provide support to adults (staff and parents/carers) first to enable them to support the children.

The plan includes short videos, webinars, virtual group programmes, safe spaces, group activities and mentoring, art therapy as well as one to one counselling.

Funding has already been secured from Hitchin Youth Trust, Rotary Club of Hitchin Tilehouse, NHDC, local County Councillor Judi Billing and the Sir Tom Moore NHS Charities Together Fund.

Initial support has already started with online groups and activities for staff and children.

Feedback has been positive "It had helped me find coping mechanisms and have a safe space to talk about everything. It gave me something positive in lockdown".

With the pandemic we know that unfortunately there will be an increasing need for mental health support for children, students, teachers and parents.

If you would like to support the team in this essential work, please see click here

David McIntosh from the new group thanked all the organisations involved for their support to date.

Additionally, he said "School leaders, teachers and support staff are doing an extraordinary job right now.

"While they are trying to catch up on lost learning time, they find themselves helping pupils, and some families come to term with the impact of the pandemic.

"Many may have anxieties and worries of their own, but they put them to one side and put the young people first. We want to say thank you".