Each month CITC is spotlighting its work and programmes through the voices and stories of its participants across Manchester.
The sixth video sees Elle and Ruby discuss how City Thrive sessions provide a safe space for them to discuss their own mental health, whilst spending time with people who are feeling similar to them.
Elle said: “City Thrive sessions are an opportunity to talk about your mental health. It is a really good conversation and from taking part in the sessions I definitely feel more open and comfortable to speak about mental health.”
CITC’s City Thrive programme aims to promote positive mental health for young people up to the age of 25.
The club’s charity, City in the Community (CITC), has been delivering its City Thrive programme since 2020 as a response to the COVID 19 pandemic.
Sessions aim to harness the power of football to normalise stigmatised conversations around mental health subjects through a mixture of educational workshops and one-to-one mentoring.
A dedicated team has developed a mental health curriculum, combining specially adapted football sessions with one-to-one mentoring and group workshops on mental health awareness to improve mental wellbeing.
As part of Children’s Mental Health Week, CITC also, spoke to their Young Leaders to get an understanding of what the campaign means to them.
They discussed coping strategies they use and any tips and advice they would give to someone feeling disconnected.
Place2Be is the focus for this year’s campaign and is about connecting, with the theme being ‘Let’s Connect.’
The Young Leaders discussed their coping strategies such as exercising, reading books, baking, taking a bath, being in nature and spending time with friends and family.
Developing on from spending time with loved ones, the Young Leaders told us that meaningful connections can also be with people, pets or hobbies and can make them feel loved, wanted, safe, supported, and motivated.
Elle and Ruby’s video forms part of CITC’s month long spotlight on its City Thrive programme, helping to highlight Children’s Mental Health Week.
In addition, ahead of Children’s Mental Health Week, Manchester City Academy Coach Jamie Carr completed his solo Atlantic row in aid of City Thrive.
To find out more about his challenge, and to donate, click here.
City in the Community empowers healthier lives with city youth through football.
To find out more, visit www.mancity.com/CITC or follow them on social media @CITCmancity.
