 CALM PROJECT
c/o Pollok Community Centre
134 Langton Rd, Pollok
GLASGOW
G53 5DP
Tel: 0141 892 0430
Project Office
Joanne Glennie -Acting Project Co-ordinator
Fax: 0141 892 0346
Email: calmproject@ymcaglagow.org
The Calm Project, based in Greater Pollok, provides a range of services for young people aged 12-21 years old who have been affected by violence, violent crime, bereavement and/or loss.
The project was established in April 2002 after a series of youth murders in the Leithland and Brockburn areas of Pollok. The murders affected the mental well being of the young people in these areas and therefore, the project works to improve their mental well being, confidence and self-esteem. The Calm Project aims to promote mental health and relieve inner pain and suffering amongst young people in Greater Pollok.
The project developed in two stages with the first stage incorporating a six-month research period, with several local young research assistants, carrying out a questionnaire to the local young people in the Leithland and Brockburn areas of Pollok. The responses from the young people highlighted that there was a need for the project to offer support to young people affected by violence through support groups, befriending and counselling.
The project entered stage two in January 2003 and saw the launch of the Calm Projects befriending service. The project accepted referrals from Pollok Social Work Department, St. Paul's High School, other agencies and partners as well as self-referrals. During the second stage, the project offered befriending to young people on a one to one basis, working with the young person on a weekly or fortnightly basis, helping them to cope better with their issues. The project also offered support groups to young people in single sex groups as well as running various other groupwork programmes to improve the young peoples confidence and esteem levels.
In August 2004, the Calm Project entered another new and exciting stage as a result of securing funding for the next 3 years. The project was able to employ 2 full time staff, Joanne Glennie as Befriending Support Worker and Mark Conway as Groupworker as well as increase the number of project assistants. The project has now expanded into the whole of Greater Pollok and offers befriending and groupwork opportunities to the young people in this area.
In the near future, the project is looking to employ 2 part time youth specialist counsellors to provide a seamless service to the young people. This will allow us to offer one to one counselling to the young people thus increasing the range of services that we offer.
Young People and Mental Health
The Calm Project is aimed at reducing anxiety about violence among young people in Greater Pollok Background: Violence is creating anxiety and trauma.
A recent series of violent incidents in Leithland, Brockburn and Pollok, including four youth murders, has seriously affected the mental health of young people in these areas. There is increased fear for personal safety amongst more than half of all young people in the neighbourhood. The trauma of living in the proximity of violence may even be the reason for a higher than usual suicide rate. Aims: Relieving inner pain
The Calm Project aims to promote mental health, and relieve inner pain and suffering among young people in Leithland, Brockburn and Pollok. Young People and Mental Health
Calm Project – addressing fear in Greater Pollock
OBJECTIVES
Establish which issues affect young people most. The project has two stages. During stage one a study will be made of the issues relating to violence which most affect young people in Greater Pollok. The study will take about six months and is to be conducted by young people trained in conducting focus groups, interviews and other appraisal techniques. It will focus on how young people cope with an environment that is, or is perceived as, increasingly more violent.
OBJECTIVES Stage two
Delivering appropriate support services.
The outcome of the study will form the basis for appropriate responses to the problems. The responses will be developed during stage two. While it is difficult to predict exactly what services might be developed, they may include the establishment of flexible support services for young people such as counselling and befriending.
OUTCOMES:
Involving young people and adults.
The project involves young people as well as local adults. They will be involved at all stages and will be trained to respond to needs that are identified. This should encourage greater access to local support services for young people. It is anticipated that as a result of better access young people will feel less anxious about violence in their area.
Sense of community
Furthermore, the project intends to improve communication between age groups and in this way build a greater sense of community and improved relationships. The involvement of adults also raises the capacity of local people to deal with these and similar issues. An additional result will be the boosting of skills, abilities and confidence of those involved.
EVALUATION:
In partnership with local agencies and community groups
The initiative will employ a professional worker at each stage of the project. This worker will guide the research and train local people. YMCA Glasgow will lead the project, working in partnership with local agencies and community groups in Greater Pollok.
The project steering group is aware of the stigma attached to mental health problems and the difficulty for individuals, particularly young men, in admitting the need for support. Part of the initial research is therefore devoted to finding ways to offer services while avoiding stigmatization. The project’s success will be measured in terms of service uptake, taking into account the comments of who receive support.
Service details last update on 17/12/2007
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