Gary Seath 2 years ago
Gillian will lead the face-to-face strand of the project and will help pupils, from armed forces and veteran families at Hermitage Academy, to better understand and enhance mental health and wellbeing.
We caught up with Gillian earlier this week to learn more about the knowledge, skills, and experiences she brings to the role.
“I was inspired to apply for the role of Wellbeing Worker for Your Mind Matters as I am passionate about supporting children and young people from armed forces and veteran families. I understand the additional challenges faced by forces children and young people and I want to help them feel listened to, understood and supported with the challenges they may be facing.
“I’ve worked and volunteered with children and young people for several years, and I love exploring different ways to talk about and understand our emotions. I also enjoy using creative activities while providing mental health and wellbeing support, to help children and young people learn and use age-appropriate skills and techniques that can help them to overcome any challenges they may face, both now and into the future.”
“I have completed a BSc (Hons) Psychology and Counselling degree, which equipped me with knowledge and practical skills surrounding mental health and talking therapies. I have also volunteered in the UK and abroad, supporting children, young people and adults with their mental health and wellbeing, through emotional support and psychological therapeutic activities.
“Since then, I have been working within mental health services providing one-to-one face-to-face and telephone support, using compassionate listening and supporting individuals to use and implement CBT based self-help techniques to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
“I previously volunteered for a crisis text service supporting young people and adults, primarily focusing on low mood, anxiety management and suicide intervention. I have also taken part in several training opportunities through previous employment which has increased my knowledge and ability to support others with issues such as trauma and self-harm.”
“I am most looking forward to supporting children and young people through one-to-one and peer support for Your Mind Matters. I am also excited to meet all the children and young people that are involved with Forces Children Scotland as well as build positive working relationships with others within the school and community, who share the same values about supporting forces children and young people.
“In the near future, I am looking forward to helping work towards developing the service to expand the availability of support we can offer to forces children and young people, reaching out to primary schools and groups within the community.”
Forces Children Scotland’s Your Mind Matters Project is funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
Learn more about our Your Mind Matters Hub.
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