This month, CITC learnt about Mason’s story, a participant on the City Mentoring programme.
Mason was diagnosed with ADHD and autism in 2021, which effects his confidence and emotional regulation.
After his diagnosis, Mason was referred to M-Thrive, a service providing early emotional health and mental wellbeing support for children and young people in Manchester.
Through M-Thrive Mason and has family were informed about CITC, and its Mentoring programme.
Before taking part in the sessions, Mason found it hard to speak in social situations, as well as finding it challenging to be in new places without becoming overwhelmed.
Through the sessions, CITC coach, Adam, has worked with Mason to manage his emotions, in turn helping him through his school life and other social settings.
After a couple of sessions together, it became clear that Mason had a passion for boxing.
From this, Adam decided he could use some of the techniques and strategies that Mason used when boxing, which help him slow down his heart rate and breathing, and transfer them into day-to-day life.
This then allowed Mason to use the same strategies to calm down and regulate his emotions when in overwhelming social situations.
Describing how the sessions have helped develop his confidence, Mason said: “I used to lose my temper constantly and react to anyone who annoyed me.
“Everything I have learnt in these sessions has helped me out in every aspect of my life.
“I’ve learnt about new strategies, so I don’t get as stressed out in social situations anymore and I’m a lot more confident.”
After eight sessions, Mason’s mum, Amanda has seen his confidence grow massively, commenting: “I think it’s really important that this programme is available for children like Mason.
“The sessions have been really impactful, they’ve given him the tools that can be applied in boxing and daily life and really helped with his confidence.”
City Mentoring aims to promote positive wellbeing for vulnerable people across Manchester.
It is aimed at young people who need extra guidance and support due to negative factors in their lives.
The provision is accessed through direct referrals from a number of pathways and is adapted to each individual’s needs, creating a bespoke plan for each participant.
To find out more about City Mentoring, visit: mancity.com/mentoring
If you want to support City in the Community and its work, enter this month’s Prize Draw competition, for the chance to win a Team Photo Experience, Match Tickets and more.
ENTER THE CITC MONTHLY PRIZE DRAW
The City in the Community Prize Draw is powered by Raise Your Game, and your support will go towards sustaining the charity’s programmes, which empower healthier lives through football.
Entries start at £5 per ticket; fans can enter on a one-off basis, or they can sign up to a direct debit, meaning they enter the draw monthly automatically. *
City in the Community empowers healthier lives through football.
To find out more, visit www.mancity.com/citc or follow @citcmancity on social media.
*Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Cambodia, Qatar, Lebanon, and North Korea are the only excluded countries from the prize draw.
