During Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re celebrating the incredible achievements of our participants, and finding out how programs at Derby County Community Trust make an impact on their lives.

Open for those aged 12-17, ‘Tackle It’ is Derby County Community Trust’s early-intervention wellbeing programme, which aims to give participants a ‘safe space’ to chat, socialise and take part in fun activities.

Teenager Jorge Capon has been a participant since January and joined the programme to try and help cope with the stresses of finishing school away from the classroom, and an on-going knee injury.

Jorge said “During the last year with Covid and disruptions to normal life I was really struggling with my mental health and felt like I was in a bad place.

“Tackle It has helped me to get out more and actually want to get up each day, I’m finding it easier to recognise my stress triggers and can take different actions to stop me feeling too stressed.

“I’m feeling more motivated to get fitter physically and I’m now getting some support around my injury as well.

“I’m feeling a lot better mentally and physically. Now we are getting back to normal I am feeling more positive about my future.

“I’d recommend the programme to anyone who is struggling with their feelings or stresses. It’s been great having the virtual and face to face sessions with Adam and Jake and it’s good to have people to speak to.

“I feel I can tell them anything and there is no judgement.”

Tackle It