The resilience project is a Youth Service project, funded by Public Health, where a youth worker delivers a 22-week social and emotional learning programme to a year 6 Primary school classes – alongside a teacher, and with the support of the educational psychology service.

Its aim is to build up young people’s resilience, to have the skills that strengthen their ability to learn, have empathy, manage emotions and problem solve. These are important skills for life. The sessions are one hour per week with work sheets, videos, role play, discussions and group activities.

The young people who have been involved in the project so far have really enjoyed it and have learnt lots of new skills. Parents are encouraged to build their children’s resilience too with a linked website with activities they can do at home.

There are currently 5 primary schools in year 5 and 6 currently involved, and the youth worker also supports some of the more vulnerable young people over the school holidays and into high school.

Due to the success of the project so far, plans are to involve more schools and children in the project across the city.

Young people who have done the programme have said:

“I’ve used the skills from the second step to manage my emotions”

“I’m more assertive in class with my communication rather than being passive”

“Managing my emotions is the key to control my anger. I use this in school and also at home”

Teachers also find the programme beneficial to their pupils:

“The children are gaining lots of new skills and this is evident in class and playground”

“I would recommend this to any primary school who are passionate about young people’s emotional health and well-being”

For more information about the programme contact anthony.lord@salford.gov.uk.