Kops N Kids to help children in Runcorn understand mental health

Published: 27 January 2022

Children in Runcorn aged 8-13 are encouraged to sign up to a free programme run by Kops N Kids and Halton Borough Council to help them to understand and improve their mental health.

The ‘My Hidden Chimp’ programme will be held at Brookvale Recreation Centre, and will run on the 21, 22, 24 and 25 February 2022 during the school half-term.

The programme has been funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer, through his Police Innovation Fund. The fund invites officers, staff and volunteers from Cheshire Constabulary to apply for funding to develop solutions to localised problems, tackle crime, reduce anti-social behaviour or improve outcomes for victims.

The Chimp Model will introduce the simplified neuroscience of the brain using fun and engaging activities which will challenge, stimulate and provide valuable learning opportunities for children who take part. This is covered by four workshops.

The Workshops will cover:

• The brain - helping children understand its function and celebrate their unique brain
• Taking responsibility – highlighting young people’s responsibility for their own actions. Exploring the concept of consequences and making amends
• Managing – introducing the toolbox - exploring what their Chimps need to be in a good place and recognising when they are not
• Managing – using the toolbox – providing helpful strategies which students can use to apply the skills they have learnt and develop management resources to use in the classroom and at home.

To register for the free programme visit https://brookvale.activehalton.co.uk/this-february-half-term-the-my-hidden-chimp-program-is-returning-to-brookvale/

John Dwyer, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, said:

“Kops N Kids has been doing a fantastic job building relationships with young people in the community in Runcorn.

“It was great to see Kops N Kids expanding and not only focusing on the physical health of the young people but also their mental health, which has been under strain like many of us as a result of the pandemic.

“Linking our communities with our police service is key, and this project will help those relationships to flourish in Runcorn.”

PC Ian Hampson, from Runcorn Local Policing Unit, said:

“I want to thank the Commissioner for the funding he provided to help us run this project and help young people in our community.

“My belief if that by championing the mental health of these young people, educating them on how they can productively learn new strategies and build relationships with them we can reduce the amount of anti-social behaviour by educating them on how to take responsibility whilst hopefully reducing self-harm and suicides within the borough."

To register for the free programme visit https://brookvale.activehalton.co.uk/this-february-half-term-the-my-hidden-chimp-program-is-returning-to-brookvale/