The Hugs Foundation have received a fantastic grant of £5,000 from The Pixel Fund to enable Hugs to continue to run the ‘Hugs Helping Hands’ youth well-being project. The project provides well-being support to children and young people in Cornwall who have a range of complex needs including; social, emotional, physical and mental ill health, trauma and abuse, SEND, reduced or non-school attendance, social isolation, self-harm and suicide ideation. Hugs unique intervention creates a circular relationship between the environment, rescue animals and people they support.
A young person is now being referred to the NHS every 30 seconds and some services have a 36 month waiting list. Demand for Hugs services has increased by over 50%. With overwhelming pressure on mental health services and many traditional talk therapies being ineffective, inappropriate or inaccessible for young people, this project is helping fill a vital gap to support those in need.
Hugs support is delivered as a course of 6 x 1 hour weekly sessions and consists of; animal assisted services alongside our rescue animals, nature activities, therapeutic outdoor learning, teambuilding, arts and crafts, forest based activities and practical skills, such as growing vegetables.
The project will improve mental health and well-being and help develop life, social and educational skills for young people to lead happier, healthier lives with long lasting impact. The project aims to achieve:
• Over 80% of service users will experience a meaningful, positive change in their mental well-being
• Over 90% of service users will feel supported in a time of crisis or need
• Over 80% of those will feel more resilient and empowered to cope with and move on from negative life experiences and future challenges
• Over 85% of service users will have improved confidence and self-esteem
Thank you to The Pixel Fund for making this project possible and helping us to change lives for the better #togetherwecan #fortherightreasons.
“Having just finished six sessions at Hugs, I wanted to let you know what a profound difference I witnessed in the two young people who attended. Both young people had been struggling with their social interactions and the demands of the curriculum at school. This behaviour showed itself in a number of ways including: shouting out; being unable to sit still in class long enough to engage in learning; fighting with peers and being very negative about themselves.
On arriving at Hugs, the young people met Hazel and her quiet but confident and informative manner had them both quickly engaging with her. Not only did she have fun with them, but she was very considerate of their personal life experiences and she made sure she took the time not to pressure them into situations they were unsure of, encouraging them to take things at their own pace. I was truly dumbstruck how both the young people's behaviour and demeanour changed when around the animals (particularly Igor the pony who was so gentle with them both.) I have never seen the young people so calm and engaged as when they were allowed to groom and care for this sweet pony. A particular favourite activity the young people did enjoy was to go "Newt Hunting". One young person spent over 10 minutes trying to count as many newts as he could see. I have never before seen them so concentrated on any task. Hazel gave the young person the nickname of "Newt Hunter"- a name he is still very proud of and still uses.
For the young people to have learnt so many new things that their peers at school have not, has given their confidence a huge boost and the experience has given them something to talk about with others. This has allowed the young people a stronger relationship with their peers back at school. Hugs yard itself is spotlessly clean and the animals are without exception beautifully cared for. Thank you for giving the young people this opportunity.”
Feedback from the Progress and Engagement Guide (Thrive) and Deputy Safeguarding Lead at a local school.