With Children’s Mental Health Week underway, two schools in Cambridgeshire are leading the way in raising awareness and providing support for children who need it as part of Children’s Mental Health Week.

Chesterton and Isle of Ely primary schools employ the services of children’s charity, Place2Be.

The charity offers children the opportunity to come and discuss any issues, good or bad, in ‘Place2Talk’ sessions, in addition to more tailored play therapy for children that have been identified by the school, Place2Be or their family as needing additional support.

Bryony Surtees, executive headteacher of both Chesterton and Isle of Ely, said: “We just felt it was something that all children should have the opportunity to have; to be heard and to be listened to, and to be safe and secure.

“Mental health impacts on everything and early intervention is vital.

“If we get the mental health of really young children right, then they will be less likely to experience issues later on in life.”

Mary Firth, Place2Be’s project manager working across both schools, and Mrs Surtees, were full of praise for the work of the team.

“The children really love it. They are much more settled and happy knowing they have someone to talk to.

“They know they can always talk to teachers, but it makes a difference having someone different such as Mary available.”

“It’s about giving the children an arena to find a voice.

“Children can have a lot going on in their lives so it’s really important that they have someone to talk to outside of the people they make regular contact with.”

Place2Be currently works in 240 schools across the country.