Strong Young Minds

Strong Young Minds (SYM) is a Big Lottery funded project designed to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people in Herefordshire.

The SYM programme is for young people (10-26 years old) who are disenfranchised, distressed, unemployed, at risk of social isolation, poor achievement and ill health, due to poor mental health and wellbeing.

We work with young people to address issues which can have an adverse effect on their mental health and wellbeing, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, self harm, bullying, cyberbullying, relationship breakdown, employability, low self esteem, body image and loss.

Young people are offered the opportunity for 1-2-1 support, workshops and groups, in addition to peer listening and support.

The SYM programme works with young people, their parents / carers and professionals and is assisted by young project champions supporting their peers and raising awareness within their communities.

Often acting as a first line of support for young people, our Strong Young Minds youth workers, are leaders in creating a safe environment for supporting mental health and wellbeing. They're able to offer a range of support, information, signposting, advocacy and activities to help support young people with their mental health and wellbeing. Starting in 2023, an extension of Strong Young Minds will bring the project out to the market towns with sessions in local settings.