Wigan Deanery Trust’s social action projects across Wigan provide vital support to individuals and families in need. Our vision 'Believing in Wigan' drives us to give individuals and families a 'lift' out of food poverty, financial debt, mental health and unhelpful habits. We partner with others to foster a thriving environment for all Wiganers, particularly young people, and are reliant on grants and donations to enable us to carry out our projects. In recent years we have successfully partnered with two major high schools in Wigan to support the wellbeing of pupils and families which have been badly affected by generational trauma such as lockdown.
This has involved a successful 3-year pilot at the Deanery CofE High School and Sixth Form College where Wigan Deanery Trust has funded one full time counsellor in addition to the school-employed Wellbeing Lead by securing funding from local companies local companies, churches and national grant funders..
During this time hundreds of students have accessed 1-2-1 counselling, drop-in sessions and targeted support for eating disorders and peer relationships that has transformed their lives. Over 60% have reported feeling better thanks to the counselling provision.
One year 11 pupil said: “I have learned key communication skills and self-worth, setting boundaries. I have worked through what made me react angrily and aggressively with people, so I know how to manage now in those situations and calm myself down.”
A year 10 pupil wrote to the counsellor to say: "I have been able to repair my bond with my mum, we go for days out and laugh and I don't feel any resentment towards her any more. I got through my GCSEs and sat every paper, revised my hardest and tried my best. You helped me find my motivation, I even went back to dance!" They passed their GCSEs and now continue at college.
The benefits to the school have included:
- Low to medium waiting times to access mental health support.
- Continuity of support relationships that are accessible in school.
- Low disruption to learning due to onsite appointments.
- Measured impact of counselling interventions that have affected successful learning and GCSE outcomes.
- Positive impact on pupils’ families.
- Whole school wellbeing awareness.
- Two-way referral between School and CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service) and other counselling/mental health services in Wigan allows flexibility of approach according to individual needs.
Much has been achieved, yet much more is needed. There continues to be over 200 referrals each year in the Deanery High School alone – that’s nearly a whole year group every single year who need urgent support which is otherwise simply not available. Government reports signal that ‘rates of probable mental disorders and eating problems remain at elevated levels compared to before the Covid-19 pandemic’[1] and our own analysis matches that of the government’s revealing that boys appear reticent to receive help.
If the mental health and wellbeing of young people is something close to your heart and you would like to contribute to this valuable work to continue in schools through Wigan Deanery Trust you can contact Christiane Cook (details below) or donate on our Just Giving campaign specifically for the Deanery High School https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/counselling-provision-the-deanery-high-school . Our fundraising target here is £50,000 for the counsellor to be employed until Summer 2026.
Following the successful pilot Byrchall High School now partners with us to extend the counselling provision to their school where we have employed a counsellor since September for 2 years and need to raise £30,000. There will be a just giving link for this imminently.
Christiane Cook, Fundraising Officer, Wigan Deanery Trust, 07479 707309 christiane.cook@wigandeanerytrust.org
[1] ‘State of the nation 2022: children and young people’s wellbeing’ research report Feb 2023, Department of Education, p.13