Young people across Halton are now benefiting from increased support thanks to a new partnership between Halton Borough Council and youth services provider, Vibe.

Vibe is providing three specialist programs within the community: Halton Youth Outreach, Halton Youth Cabinet, and Where’s your head at’ a Mental Wellbeing programme, for young people aged 11 to 18 years.

The program is an initial mental health awareness intervention and is provided over a structured 12-week period of activities, focusing on exploring and developing coping strategies, expression, self-care, mindfulness and managing stress.

The Halton Youth Outreach program sees the team, work with young people across Halton providing an effective and responsive early help referral service for young people, who require targeted preventative and diversionary support.

It will encourage young people to get involved in activities that complement and enhance their physical and emotional wellbeing, as well as support their educational attainment and transition to employment.

Halton Youth Cabinet engages young people who receive the support they need to host fortnightly cabinet meetings, with a view to attending Youth Focus NW events including Youthforia and residential events (British Youth Council) as well as organised HM Government visits to the Houses of Parliament, for Annual Sitting as members of UK Youth Parliament.

‘Where’s Your Head At’ will mean mental health support intervention is provided over a structured 12-week period of activities, focusing on exploring and developing coping strategies, expression, self-care, mindfulness and managing stress.

In addition to the above, Vibe also provide engaging activities focussing on being healthy and active over school holidays. As a delivery partner for the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme in Halton.

HAF is a government initiative which went nationwide in 2021 to provide those families with young people in receipt of ‘free school meals’ support over key school holidays.

Halton Borough Council Executive Board Member for Young People and Families, Cllr Tom McInerney said: “This new partnership is good news for the young people of Widnes and Runcorn, who will benefit from the facilities offered.”

Vibe is dedicated to supporting young people in building positive relationships with themselves and others and has played a central role in creating vibrant communities through the provision of specialist interventions and programmes, since 2013.

Vibe CEO, Paul Oginsky said: “We’re over the moon to be working with Halton Council to provide additional support services to the young people of Halton and can’t wait to see the difference we can make through this partnership”

To find out more about the youth services being provided in Halton and surrounding areas, please visit www.vibeuk.org.