“Headstart has helped me so much, I wish it could go on longer!”

Emily has been part of the Headstart project since it began in Bolton back in June. At first, Emily was very nervous about moving to high school, and in her 1-2-1 support sessions, she worked on finding ways of reducing her feelings of anxiety. Emily has now settled in at her secondary school, and she has not only overcome her own fears, but she also supports other students who have been struggling with the transition to high school.

“I’m really enjoying being part of Headstart, it is very fun and my favourite things are the games and art. It has helped me a lot and I really appreciate all they have done for me and how much they have helped me.

“My biggest fear about moving to high school was bullies and people making fun of me. I felt nervous and scared, however Ollie really helped me overcome my fear. Since I first started working on the Headstart project, I have learnt how to deal with my mental health and how to help it. I have also learnt a lot about my mental health, and a lot of new skills like what to do when I’m feeling down.

“I’ve found the support and guidance very helpful and it has helped me so much, I wish it could go on longer but it is still really good.”

Beyond the work Emily does in her weekly 1-2-1 session in school, Emily also throws herself into the other opportunities offered to her as part of the project. Shortly after starting her new school in September, Emily faced her anxiety head on by being a community mascot at Bolton’s cup match against Manchester United U21s. Emily got to meet her favourite players and was even brave enough to walk out onto the pitch with them in front of the crowd before the game. Emily said: “I really enjoyed it because I support Bolton and I was very happy when I heard about me being a mascot, it was really good”.

Emily has really made the most of the support offered to her by the Headstart project, and she continually looks for ways to support both her own wellbeing, and the wellbeing of others.

“I would like to say a huge thank you for all this for Emily. She has needed the guidance and it makes me relieved to know that she has this support.” – Emily’s Mother on her involvement with the Headstart Programme.