Kilwinning Academy has launched a new Well-being Hub to help support young people atthe school to look after their mental health.

The hub, which was formally launched by former pupil Courtney Gemmell on Wednesday, June 5, will provide pupils with self-care and self-help strategies, with staff from local charity Beautiful Inside andOut,Barnardo’s, school chaplains and peer mentors trained in Scottish Mental Health First Aid giving guidance and support.

Pastoral staff will also be running small ‘Reflections’ groups with young people, to provide strategies to cope when things are tough.

Courtney said: “It was an honour to be asked back to Kilwinning Academy to launch their Well-Being Hub, something I would have benefited from when I was a pupil.

“I can’t say enough how valuable this is going to be to the young people of Kilwinning Academy, and it makes me so proud to say that this is the school I went to.”

The room was furnished through an £800 grant from North Ayrshire Council’s Youth Participatory Budget scheme following an application by the school’s Parent Council, who also funded a well-being library.

Council Leader Joe Cullinane said: “Learning about coping skills for when things aren’t so good could make a huge difference to the mental health of our pupils, as well as helping to reduce the stigma of mental ill health.”

Tim Swan, Head Teacher of Kilwinning Academy, said: “I am very pleased with the opening of the Well-Being Hub and I look forward to seeing it develop.”