Teachers from Adult Education Wolverhampton have scooped a prestigious West Midlands Combined Authority Mental Health Star Award. The Like Minds Team was nominated in the Large Organisation Team, Service or Organisation category, to recognise businesses, public services or voluntary organisations which have ‘gone above and beyond’ to support mental health and wellbeing in their area.
And they were announced the winner at an awards ceremony. Judges noted students’ positive comments on their experience and the important role of adult education in lessening mental health difficulties.
The Like Minds Team have built up a reputation for providing creative learning programmes, focussed on arts and crafts, yoga and pottery, that make a real difference to the lives of Wolverhampton residents suffering from mental health issues. The courses are designed to allow tutors to support students to move to a more positive state of mind, building friendships, gaining confidence and having a purpose.
Councillor Chris Burden, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work, said: "The Like Minds team have achieved positive results for many students.
“Their trick is to listen to what students want and need and to flex the learning programme to meet individual needs. Ultimately, they provide a safe and nurturing environment which enable confidences, self-esteem and well-being to flourish. The team go beyond above and beyond and I am delighted that they have received a Mental Health Star Award."
The awards celebrate the ground-breaking work being done across the region to improve mental health and wellbeing. This year hundreds of nominations were submitted which recognised acts of heroism and innovation that have helped people within our communities get through life during the Covid-19 pandemic.
These acts will also heavily influence the work of the new Mental Health Commission as it reports later in 2022.
