YeHa Youth Educatlon H•alth Advke ANNUAL REPORT.... SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLES MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING SEPTEMBER 202 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGER MEET OUR STAFF SPECIAL THANK YOU VISION, MISSION & VALUES OUR APPROACH OUR SERVICES THE DIFFERENCE WE MAKE HIGHLIGHTS COMPANY DETAILS/STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES ## “ Supporting young people to reach their full potential “ As Chairperson of YEHA, it has been truly amazing to be part of the development journey of the organisation. YEHA has created a unique environment in which young people enter into a positive, supportive atmosphere where they feel comfortable, safe, cared for, and listened to. This, in turn, gives them the opportunity to grow in confidence and resilience, to have a voice, and to highlight what is important for young people. When people feel empowered, they possess valuable skills, strength, and knowledge, which cascades into the wider community in which they live. It is paramount that young people are always at the heart of the organisation. As Chairperson, I have had the privilege of seeing and hearing first-hand from the young people who have benefited from the support services offered within the organisation. The board is fully committed to investing time and energy in the coming year. With growth, like many organisations, comes both challenges and opportunities. The board is eager to continue fostering a positive, collaborative, and safe environment for young people to reach their full potential. Over the years, YEHA has built great working relationships with other partner organisations, which is key for future development. You will have an opportunity to see the range of services and programmes offered further on in this report, as well as the range of partners and funders. On behalf of the board of directors, a big thank you to the staff team and volunteers, as our success is due to the hard work and commitment of Sean and the team, for which we are truly grateful in wanting to make a difference in young people’s lives. To finish, I would like to thank my fellow board members for their time, dedication, and commitment they give to the organisation so freely, because they believe in the work the organisation carries out and know the wider community will reap the rewards of having young people as role models. Jo Murphy Chair O To say this brings an end to a challenging year would be an understatement. Our determination to ensure that services are not compromised during a testing year for the community voluntary sector has required immense levels of hard work and dedication from all those involved in YEHA, particularly the staff on the front line of delivering services. This year saw the development of new partnerships and the strengthening of existing ones, with organisations vital in tackling mental health issues and providing essential services to young people and their families. I am grateful for the openness and shared values that enable meaningful collaboration and maximise opportunities to best help those most in need in our communities. The knowledge, expertise, and wisdom of the Board of Directors have been nothing short of essential in helping to navigate the organisation while ensuring growth and development in achieving our mission. The board has been purposeful in developing understanding and relationships with staff and young people, including their views in the strategic development of YEHA. The driving force behind all that we achieve in our delivery of services for young people is the YEHA staff team: Tommy, Cara, Louise, Lisa, and Jodie. We have been fortunate to retain such a dedicated and highly skilled team; their ongoing professionalism and outcomes have propelled our organisational reputation, leading to further demand, respect, and recognition of our services among key stakeholders, but most importantly, young people. I am excited as we look towards the year ahead and the new opportunities to further develop and support even more young people. I want to acknowledge the courage of those young people who come to us in their time of need and thank them for their trust. Finally, I want to thank those young people who have shown leadership and supported both their peers and our organisation throughout the year. Sean Devlin Senior Manager ## Tom Team Leader Group Support services Youth Support Worker Louise Marketing & Outreach Youth Support Worker Adrian Kerry Stephen Lisa Jodie Admin Worker Youth Support Worker Admin Worker Cara Team Leader One to One Support Services Youth Support Worker TH"A"NK SUPPORTING VOUNG SUPPORIT PEOPLF HSC John Moores Foundation Belfast Health and Social Care Trust pwc HALIFAX FOUNDATION HSC Public Health J Agency for Northern Ireland THE IRELAND FUNDS Departmerrt of . COMMUNITY FUND Education De La Salle College T:Ix VILLAGES CARE ZONE STREET YOUTH BEAT PROJECT COMMUPI￿¥ ttv To be an organisation at the heart of the community that actively values and supports young people’s health and wellbeing To make a positive difference to young peoples mental health and wellbeing Confidentiality, Care and Compassion will underpin everything we do. Our services embrace the core principals of youth work with therapeutic approaches with the aim of: Motivating young people to realise their potential Develop skills and confidence to address issues Equip young people with the resources to look after their mental health and well-being Encourage supportive relationships with family, peers and the community We are passionate about providing support for young people centred around ownership, choice and individuality. Young people work alongside their key support worker to develop an individually tailored support plan. Young people choose the services they want. One to One Mentoring & Life Coaching Counselling & Therapuetic Interventions Peer Support Groups Schools Wrap-around Support Peer Mentoring Programmes Qualifications and Skills Development Our dedicated youth work team provides weekly one-to-one support for young people to develop an understanding of issues and challenges and their impact. We help them develop communication and coping skills, make positive choices, and challenge negative thinking. Together, we work to achieve goals and actions that bring about positive change. Our service supports young people in talking about and exploring their feelings, thoughts, and experiences to bring about effective change and increased well-being. Our multi-skilled team of counsellors employs art, creative materials, and play therapy, while also integrating a range of skills, techniques, models, and approaches tailored to each young person’s needs Group work programmes encourage supportive peer relationships and the sharing of lived experiences to explore coping strategies and problem-solving. Activities and group work content are designed to help young people achieve personal and group goals. Discussion themes and information provided aim to encourage self-care and coping skills, as well as promote mental health awareness. We currently offer one-to-one mentoring, home liaison services, counselling, and group work services: Five days per week at Mercy College Two days per week at Belfast Royal Academy One day per week at De La Salle College. Young people aged 16 and over undertake training to offer guidance and support to their peers at school and in the community. Peer mentors also support the YEHA team in delivering activities and events that promote positive mental health and well-being. Peer mentoring programmes are ongoing at Mercy College, De La Salle, St Malachy’s College, and Malone College. As an OCNNI-recognised centre, YEHA provides a range of accredited training programmes. Our young leaders, volunteers, and peer mentors complete training in youth work, mental health awareness, and peer mentoring. **----- Start of picture text -----**
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Young people took part in groupwork programmes Young people availed of 1-1 mentoring support Are more aware of issues that affect mental health Mental health and wellbeing events Average of Young people attending weekly Fresh Start Wednesday Breakfast morning Feel better equipped to look after their mental health Young people availed of Young people trained as counselling mentors Of participants would recommend YEHA to a friend HIGHLIGHTS Lijlll 'j,' MERCY COLLEGE PEER MENTORS AT A SHARED LEARNING EVEKr WITH GIRLS MODEL DISCUSSING WAYS THEY CAN HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOUNG PEOPLES MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING AT SCHOOL THE YEHA STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS FROM PWC HOSTING A VERY SUCCESSFUL MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS BRUNCH FOR MERCY COLLEGE STUDENTS BELFAST ROYAL ACADEMY GROUP SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THEIR PEER LEADERSHIP AND COLLOBORATIVE EMPOWERMENT PROGRANNE FRESH START WEDNESDAYS CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR A SECOND YEAR RUNNING. A WEEKLY EVENT HELPING OVER 80 YOUNG PEOPLE PER WEEK BY PROMOTING A HEALTHY BREAKFAST,SAFE SPACE AND Yoimi SUPPORT HIGHLIGHTS YOUNG rnms GROUP WHO, SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE YEHA YOUNG MUMS PROGRAMME AND PROGRESSED INTO YEHA VOLUNTEERS YEHA INTERVENTION SUMMER PROGRAMME 2024 YOUNG PEOPLE FACED THEIR FEARS AND EXPLORED PADDLE BOARDING ¢rii MERCY COLLEGE PRINCES TRUST YOUNG PEOPLE cofipLEfiNG PROGRAMME COMPLETED THEIR OUTDOOR BUSHCRAFf AND COMMUNITY GIVEBACK BY LEARNING SURVIVAL SKILLS CLEARING LAND AROUND PENSIONERS HOMES TO HELP THEn DURING THE WINTER MONTHS Mary Josephine Murphy Sean Breen Patrick Smyth Chris Karelse Stephen Morrison Anthony Crowe Martin Pelan Caroline Rutherford Courtney Swandel Danske Bank, Belfast Co.Antrim Insight Business Services 107606 658697 @yeha_project Yeha Belfast yehaproject.com @yeha_project