WELCOME SPOTLIGHT SESSION 4

Play is good for your health – using play to explore learning and wellbeing for young women in Clackmannashire

Play Mentor Using play to improve self esteem, confidence and explore an alternative learning experience

What is Play Mentor? Small scale project - 12 places Learning experiences Challenge Responsibility Aspiration Reflection and celebration of new skills and abilities Working together as a team Experiencing success Play LearnAbout Play Lead & Games Le Learning experiences- experiential learning, learning about play by playing, learning in college as an ‘adult atmosphere’ with tutors rather then teachers. Small group work so a chance to re-invent themselves. Working along side college students stepping up. Challenge, tasks that were big for them, VERY well supported but adult sized tasks which progressed through out the programme Responsibility- attendance, communications. Taking responsibility for their actions Aspiration – Dream big..more about this later Reflection- the 4 questions, What was fun? What sucked? What did you learn? Any surprises? Feeding back positively to each other at the end of each session Fun Discipline

Its Aim To establish a positive pattern of well being, learning and aspiration for the participants. MSW the building blocks for a positive adulthood

Recruitment supported by schools Residential College x10 Weekly placement x4 Nursery Weekly placement x4 Primary School (inc. Games session) Deliver games session to adults Success ceremony

Working with children can be messy

Working with young people can be even messier

Play Mentor A S3 Struggling with friendship groups Nervous in group work Good attendance for Play Mentor Steps up nursery placement Back chat Low self esteem Bullied Catches the bus by herself! Asked to leave the programme in week 10 MSW Jade

Play Mentor B A ‘loner’ Dyslexic, history of failing at school School refuser from primary school Struggles to manage her anxiety Non-smoker (!) Transport triumph Fantastic at learning by doing Aspirations Very positive feedback from placements Volunteering at Cat’s Protection League Staying on for S5 Abbie

The Way Forward maryscottwatson@nhs.net pamela.vannan@nhs.net Play is our brain’s favourite way of learning

QUESTIONS?