19/06/2023: Families needing mental health support offered innovative programme

An innovative mental health support programme has been commissioned to help young people and their families in Breckland, after a successful pilot project.

The Breckland Build Together Families programme will deliver interactive workshops and support for up to 100 young people and their families who are on local mental health waiting lists. Not-for-profit wellness and therapy service Cup-O-T, which ran the first pilot project in 2021/22, has been re-commissioned to deliver this project by Breckland Council and the Breckland Youth Advisory Board (YAB). Breckland YAB are made up of young people aged 11-19 who live or study in Breckland, and campaign about the issues that matter to them.

"We're so pleased to be back supporting young people and families in and around Breckland, who are in need of more support around mental health. During our initial programme we made a significant impact in the everyday lives of young people and their families. We hope in the next 12 months to double that impact, reaching more young people, and supporting more families with mental health concerns" says Catherine Gray, specialist occupational therapist and CEO of Cup-O-T.

The next group of free workshops will be starting in Dereham, Thetford, Watton, Swaffham and Attleborough, whilst an online version for those who cannot travel to these Breckland market towns is also being offered. Families can refer themselves to the programme via the cup-o-t website or via referrals from professionals and community organisations working with families.

Cllr Tristan Ashby, Executive Member for Health and Communities at Breckland Council, which has helped to re-commission the life-changing programme, commented: "The Build Together Families programme will support 100 families in Breckland over the next 12 months, funded by our Inspiring Communities programme. I have been deeply moved and impressed by the results from the original pilot programme in Breckland. The interactive workshops designed to support young people and their families will provide essential tools that they need to support each other and support their mental health recovery."

For more information, and up-to-date details on workshop dates and locations, please visit www.cup-o-t.co.uk, (opens new window) or contact the team via email at info@Cup-O-T.co.uk.