THE RSPCA education centre hosted a celebration event after being awarded £300,000 in funding to help young people with their mental health.
The official launch at the RSPCA’s Newbrook Education Centre happened on September 8 after receiving the money from the National Lottery.
Rob Moffat, Community Engagement Manager for the centre, said: “Uniting young people and spreading the word of animal welfare and wellbeing enables those on the project to talk about their own issues, acknowledge their mistakes and strive to be better, kinder people which we hope will create a more compassionate society and help to prevent cruelty to animals in the future.”
After a small pilot of the Birmingham Wild Things project during the pandemic, 97 per cent of young people’s mental health was impacted positively, and the charity now hopes to expand this project.
At the event, staff, volunteers, partner agencies and guests were invited to a cheque presentation followed by a tour of the centre with the opportunity to participate in a range of activities the young people carry out on the course.
Building bird and bat houses, horticulture, and participating in the vet role play room were a few activities carried out on the day.
Chris Sherwood, Chief executive of the RSPCA, said he was ‘extremely proud’ of the centre and found it ‘heartening to see’ their work with animals and children.
Young people are referred to the programme through partner organisations, such as the police, Barnardos, Birmingham Children’s Trust, NHS or Psychological Therapies for Forward Thinking Birmingham (FTB).
Those referred may be experiencing behavioural and mental health difficulties and are often disengaged with education or work or may be struggling with something in their lives.
Anne Crawford-Docherty, Divisional Director of FTB, said: “We were so pleased to hear that this project has been awarded funding from the National Lottery, so it can continue to provide these amazing opportunities for young people in Birmingham.
“The course has already helped young people in FTB on their recovery journey, with many participants saying how the RSPCA project has provided opportunities and the motivation to make changes in their lives.”
Visit education.rspca.org.uk/ for more information on the education work at the RSPCA.
