The AFC Fylde Community Foundation has launched a new mental health education and support project in partnership with Fylde and Wyre Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Over the next 12 months, the Foundation will work with children, young people and families in communities across the region to teach them about different aspects of mental health.

The team will deliver bespoke five hour sessions covering a range of subjects, such as what mental health is, how to identify mental health issues and how diet and physical exercise can help.

Health and wellbeing officers from the Foundation will work with families and children – many of whom are referred from local GPs – to develop an understanding of how lifestyle choices can impact their mental health and wellbeing.

Throughout the programme, the Foundation will engage with 40 families and 70 children that are to be referred by GPs as well as 840 Key Stage 2 students.

The programme is commissioned under the Lancashire Transformation Plan, with all Lancashire CCGs using it as a benchmark – meaning the Fylde and Wyre CCG is at the forefront when it comes to children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing services.

Tom Hutton, director of community development at the AFC Fylde Community Foundation, said: “We are so excited to deliver this programme, which we hope will change attitudes towards mental health issues in the area and beyond.

“We’ll be working to show people why and how mental health conditions can materialise and equip them with the skills to address and identify issues. It’ll also be a great opportunity to make people aware of the support services available to them in the area.

“Diet and exercise will be a huge part of this – showing people how looking after their bodies also means looking after their mind. We can’t wait to get started.”

For more information visit www.afcfyldefoundation.co.uk, follow on Twitter @afcfct or call Tom Hutton at The Foundation on 07739 796 101.