OSPREYS IN THE COMMUNITY TEAM UP WITH ACTION FOR CHILDREN AND PHILTRONICS TO DELIVER ON TARGET PROGRAMME

Ospreys in the Community announced they will be running the On Target programme this year, which aims to give young people the tools to look after their emotional wellbeing.

On Target is an internationally acclaimed wellbeing programme for young people aged 13-19. Over six weeks, it teaches emotional resilience and reduces low mood and anxious thoughts. Crucially, it gets teenagers talking.

The launch of On Target is part of a targeted approach by OitC to tackle the wider issues in the local community, such as mental health and self-isolation.

On average, every classroom in Britain has three children with a diagnosable mental health illness. So far, Action for Children have delivered On Target in over 150 schools, to more than 5,500 young people across the UK since 2017 with 98% willing to recommend On Target to one of their friends.

On Target involves a one-hour group session at school each week, plus home tasks. Students learn how to challenge negative thoughts and talk about different coping strategies.

Regular group work builds rapport and confidence. The home tasks are a chance to practise the new skills. It is simple, and it works.

Supporting mental health and wellbeing is a big part of what we do. We help young people talk about how they are feeling, and make sure they do not feel alone.

Programmes are run by trained Action for Children On Target specialists. After the programme, the programme leader evaluates and share results.

Caryl Dyer, South Wales Service Co-ordinator at Action for Children said: ‘We are thrilled to be teaming up with the Ospreys and Philtronics once again to deliver mental health programmes that have such a significant impact on our young people’s wellbeing. Their mental resilience is crucial to their ability to thrive and learn and no more so than when families everywhere are facing such an array of challenges.

“The On Target programme will help enable our young people to understand mental health, develop some coping strategies and know where and when to look for help. We cherish our partnership with Ospreys in the Community and Philtronics and how it shapes better mental wellbeing for our young people in the Ospreys region.”

Tom Sloane, Community Foundation Manager for Ospreys in the Community, said: “I am really pleased that we are once again able to announce Action for Children as our official charity partner for 22/23 alongside our Principal Partner, Philtronics LTD. Over the last 3 years we have managed to work closely with AFC to support thousands of young people to increase resilience, coping strategies and their confidence in talking about Mental health, all while connecting it to physical health & wellbeing.

“The Ospreys brand and sport in general has a fantastic ability to reach and connect people, which allows us to work towards common goals of the likes of public health, education and more.

“Philtronics LTD & OitC have committed to raising £25,000 this coming year to help sustain these programmes including the newly launched On Target programme. There will be a series of fundraising opportunities over the season, including our second sleep out at the Swansea.com Stadium in February.”

Anne Pritchard, Finance Director at Philtronics, said: “More than ever, at a time when the NHS mental health support waiting list keeps growing longer, it is very important to us as a business to help in any way we can. We have supported Action for Children for the past 5 years, raising crucial funds via sleep outs, raffles, walking challenges, gaming tournaments, bake sales, you name it, while getting as many staff members involved as possible. Our current goal is to raise a minimum of £10,000 towards the overall target with our fundraising draw thanks to the generosity of our suppliers and business partners who have donated amazing prizes.

We are thrilled that the funds we raise allow Action for Children to deliver their Health & Wellbeing programmes in our local community. Nine of our staff have come through Llangatwg Community School which is one of the beneficiaries of the programme.”