Copeland MP Trudy Harrison has praised award-winning school pupils for shining a spotlight on young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Mrs Harrison visited Valley Primary School, in Whitehaven, to hear an update on the pupils’ successful Spotlight campaign, which earned them the Best Use of Technology Award in this year’s Bright Stars programme.
With a mission statement of supporting eight- to 14-year-olds to open up about their problems, worries and fears, the Year 6 pupils carried out a survey, held workshops, designed posters, placed an advert in the local press and created a website to support their peers.
Further to signposting other young people to where they can receive help and support, the pupils also championed techniques to improve wellbeing, including positive thinking, exercise and relaxation. The next stage is to create an app to extend the campaign into the wider community.
Mrs Harrison said: “It was a pleasure to hear the presentation from the Valley School pupils on their incredible Spotlight campaign.
“The work they are doing to raise the profile of mental health and wellbeing among their age-group is inspirational, and they are using creative ways of getting their important campaign messages across.
“I congratulate everyone at Valley involved in this project and I thank them for the positive difference they are making to young people’s mental health in their community.”
The annual Bright Stars programme is designed to help local businesses build better links with their local schools and introduce children to leadership and entrepreneurship by getting them excited about business.
The scheme helps children to showcase hidden talents, nurture aspirations and build confidence. In the light of the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s programme focused on ‘making a difference in the community’.
The pupils also took the opportunity to quiz Mrs Harrison on her role and responsibilities as Copeland’s MP.
Charlotte Branney, year six teacher at Valley School, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Trudy to the school and we are so grateful for her support and interest in our Bright Stars project.
“Our pupils are very interested in their community and what is going on in the world, and it was a great opportunity for them to meet Trudy and find out more about what she does and how the Government works.”
