Cambridge United and Cambridgeshire County Council are working together to provide local young people and their families the opportunity to speak about their mental health at four drop-in sessions throughout the year.
The drop-ins are for parents who would like to talk about any social, emotional or mental health difficulties their child is having, or for young people aged between 16-25 experiencing social, emotional or mental health difficulties. Parents are welcome to attend with children if they would like.
The drop-ins are hosted at the Abbey Stadium by Educational and Child Psychologists that work for the Special Educational Needs and Disability Service (0-25) at Cambridgeshire County Council. The psychologists are all registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.
The first two of this year’s drop-ins took place in January and March, and both saw eight families visit the Abbey Stadium and take the opportunity of coming to an informal setting, for a discussion with a professional, all free of charge. There are still two further drop-in sessions later this year set to take place in May and June.
Tom Hughes, Senior Educational and Child Psychologist at Cambridgeshire County Council, stated: "Our experience shows that parents and young people value drop in sessions as a good chance to have an informal chat about any concerns regarding their emotional health and well-being. They are a chance to share what's been going on and do some joint planning as to what might help".
Supporting people in the local community is an aim of Cambridge United Community Trust, and providing support around the topic of mental health is part of Cambridge United's wider aim of being a 'mentally healthy' football club.
Cambridge United have received an incredibly high amount of interest for the mental health sessions with May's drop-in already fully subscribed. If you would like more information on the drop-in session in June, or would like to book a slot; please email daz.coakley@cambridge-united.co.uk.