BEING Moray Youth take a lead for wellbeing and peer-support

Lockdown has been challenging for everyone especially young people. However, the Young Champions at Moray Wellbeing Hub have been supporting each other and making a difference for others throughout.

Becky, the Young Champion lead, hopes more under 25s will join in and feel the benefit that she has of the support and opportunity.

“Having my own lived experience of mental health challenges, it’s hard at times to be able to support others but this is where the social movement has been such an important invaluable resource; I have been able to find support among other people with lived experience. I don’t feel alone in the challenges I face in life.”

Working alongside inspiring organisations like the Elgin Youth Café, Becky has delivered courses and helped build new resources. This includes keeping important tools like the “Discover Pathways to Wellbeing in Moray” website resource up to date by involving Young Champions as young as eight to hear their views. The courses she has helped lead are really making a difference, the impact being that it is led by young people for young people. As one participant explained, they now feel more empowered by attending this kind of session, “You have the power to speak up and say how you feel, if you feel different reach out and ask for help so you can become you again.”

During lockdowns direct contact as also been key to keeping young people from feeling isolated. Becky has been running online get togethers, as well as calling and text messaging others, whatever they prefer. ‘Thank you for reaching out I’m having a bad day today… I’m just going online to my course then some home schooling.” “Really enjoyed taking the time to do activities to think about our own self-care.” Has been some of the feedback. She’s working toward training other young people to help out, including exploring delivery in schools such as Speyside High School who are keen to see young people leading change and enjoying the feeling that comes from being part of something together.

Any young person who has experienced any kind of life challenge is welcomed at Moray Wellbeing Hub, and if they want to find out been involved with course delivery and building new resources. I’ve been able to support people in my community.

“One of the great opportunities I’ve had is to deliver training to young people around well-being and having discussions with them to empower them to know that they can be a supporter as well as supported. I love getting involved and I love being able to support myself and others in their well-being. If you know a young person who might benefit then please get in touch as I’m always happy to give a warm welcome.”

To find out more about the Young Champion role visit moraywellbeinghub.org.uk where you can sign up to the mailing list of as a Champion directly or check their pages out on Facebook Becky can be contacted on 07921536683 or Becky@moraywellbeinghub.org.uk more Becky is always on hand to share her journey. They might even follow in her footsteps and end up with a formal role and even employment.

“I started by coming along to a support group at Moray College and progressed from volunteer to a paid member of the team. Within my roles I have had so many opportunities to grow as a person and really get out my comfort zone. I have been to national conferences to be part of the wider conversation around well-being. I have