Animal welfare link-up improving mental wellbeing for young people
Teams at Forward Thinking Birmingham (FTB) and the RSPCA have joined together to deliver a unique animal welfare project that is benefitting the mental wellbeing of young people in Birmingham.
The bespoke six-week course, co-designed by young people at FTB, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust's 0-25s mental health service, is playing a key role in making things better for those taking part by promoting kindness and compassion to animals.
Callum Moore, Psychological Therapist and Registered Mental Health Nurse and Pete Beckett, Intensive Outreach Recovery Co-ordinator at FTB, were instrumental in establishing the programme and in the ongoing support of the young people who have participated.
"The idea that set the project into motion was born out of a nurse session with one of our young people who had not left the house in over a year," said Callum.
"They were asked what they thought would help them start engaging with education and the world again, and they told us something to do with animals. Immediately, we contacted the RSPCA Birmingham Education Centre to see what was possible."
The RSPCA signed the young person up to a dog training and care course called Paws for Change, which became a life-changing experience for those involved.
Callum added: "Seeing the impact of Paws for Change made us passionate about seeing if there was scope to do more. We shared our thoughts with the RSPCA, which offered a bespoke individual programme for this young person.
"It was a catalyst that provided the framework for the six-week course, in which we now run two groups on a rolling basis together throughout the year."
The programme has helped the group understand animal sentience and behaviour, the concepts of feeling safe for both humans and animals, as well as practical activities and other learning.
Seventeen-year-old Harry Goodall, from Birmingham, took part in the programme. He said:
"This course was such an enjoyable experience and gave me something positive to do when I was in a low place.
"It helped to increase my confidence in talking to new people and gave me a chance to have my voice heard."
Mollie Swadkins, aged 19, from Frankley, is another who has benefited from taking part in the programme.
She said: "This course has helped me so much with my confidence and wellbeing. Before this programme, I couldn't leave the house, but this course pushed me to leave the front door and get past my fear of going outside.
"Being on the course, I met a lot of new people and it really helped with my anxiety. I used to find it hard making friends but being in a group of supportive individuals where everyone was treated equally no matter their background really helped to build up my confidence."
Mollie continues to volunteer with the RSPCA with the dream of one day becoming an Inspector.
"I can't recommend this course enough," she added. "If you are a person that struggles, it could help and benefit you so much."
Callum and Pete were awarded the Research and Innovation prize at the Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust's annual award ceremony, the BWC Spirit Awards, for their dedication in bringing this project to life.
"I was shocked, over the moon and lost for words that we had won the award," said Callum. "I immediately told Pete and our colleagues at the RSPCA centre, who were all equally excited.
"The young people on the programme have also congratulated us on the programme's success at the awards and they hope it will help increase the future scope of the programme."
Robert Moffat, RSPCA Youth Engagement Manager who oversees the project, has highlighted the success of the course after seeing the impact it has had on the young people taking part and how it has helped improve their mental wellbeing.
"It's brilliant to see how the young people have developed and grown during this project. They have made friends, learnt new skills and massively grown in confidence, some having even gone on to start their own businesses."