Talk Away Don’t Walk Away

Talk Away Don’t Walk Away, The Courtyard’s mental health project for children and young people

Talk Away, Don’t Walk Away. #TalkAwayDontWalkAway is The Courtyard’s mental health awareness project for young people in Herefordshire. Using drama, practical exercises and games, children explore what mental health is. They also look at ways that they can look after their mental health and promote positive wellbeing.

The project started in 2018, working with pupils in secondary schools and colleges. We have now developed the project to work with primary school pupils aged 4-11 with practical workshops, as well as a digital project which focuses on the five steps to wellbeing. Herefordshire Mind have helped support and guide the creation og these workshops. Practitioners who lead the sessions are also trained in Mental Health First Aid.

On Thursday 26th May, we hosted a sharing evening at The Courtyard for schools and youth groups who’d participated in the project. This was an opportunity for young people to share their artistic responses to the workshops, whether it was through drama, dance, music or film. Artwork from Hereford College of Arts, Herefordshire Mind’s ArtSpace and Twyla Joyce also featured in our gallery. We had a very thought-provoking evening where we celebrated the talent of young people across Herefordshire.

We would like to say a big thank you to Herefordshire Community Foundation, Awards for All and Hereford Diocese; without their support, this work would not be possible.

You can read more out our Mental Health projects here.