RESIDENTS from Launceston recently took part in a training course to become qualified, Youth Mental Health First Aiders.

Those that took part hail from a variety of professional backgrounds within the Launceston community, and will now be able to help the youth of the town.

The weekend sessions ran from 9am to 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday at The Orchard Centre, with the help of MHEngland to provide the training.

Some of the organisations that took part were: The Windmill Hill Academy; St Joseph’s School; The Launceston Youth Project, youth club; The Launceston Youth Partnership, The Orchard Centre; The Launceston Street Pastors; Active8; Mind Your Way Mentors, Young People Cornwall; Launceston Amateur Boxing Club; Tregadillett School; Mark Richardson (soon to be running Taiquandoh and Kick Boxing at The Orchard Centre); and Launceston Rugby Club.

Patricia Oats from The Orchard Centre was extremely pleased with the variety of organisations now able to help the youth of the town. She said: “With candidates from a wide and diverse group of organisations taking up the places that The Orchard Centre had secured, we now have so many professionals trained to help the youth of the town.

“It is great to know that these organisations, who are in contact with so many of our Launceston youth can now use their skills and knowledge to provide support within their roles.

“I would like to personally thank everyone who gave up two full 9am to 5pm days of their time, on a weekend, to take part in this course. It was a terrific atmosphere working with the trainer Kate and you all, thank you for supporting another of The Orchard Centres’ community promises.”

If any other groups or school would like further information about running a course themselves, contact the MHFA by visiting https://mhfaengland.org/

The Orchard Centre also have some more community activities planned, working alongside the town council, tourist information and the Cornwall voluntary sector forum, They are also working alongside the Neetside Centre in Bude to encourage people in ‘shaping my community’ to support ideas for community supported led activities.