Mayor Visits Skipperstone Community Centre during Children's Mental Health Week (3-9 February)

Ards and North Down Borough Council's Community Development Play Clubs took part in activities to mark Children's Mental Health Week (3 - 9 February). The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, visited Skipperstone Community Centre to see some of the activities and artistic designs that children had made to mark this year's theme of 'Know Yourself, Grow Yourself'.

Mayor Cathcart said: "This was a great opportunity to help children recognise and express their feelings through creative play. It encouraged them to interact with each other and they learned skills and coping strategies on how to manage life's challenges and different emotions while also developing empathy. It was a great way to learn some important life skills while having fun. I certainly had fun joining in!"

Club members practiced mindfulness and creativity through clay art. They also learned about the different characters in the Walt Disney movie, Inside Out, which is working in partnership with Here4You and Children's Mental Health Week. They were educated on how to identify emotions as well as how to communicate and ask for help from others.

Community Development Play Clubs operate in different centres around the Borough. George Green Alderman Community Centre, Green Road Community Centre and Redburn Community Centre have some spaces left and are open to new members joining. Kilcooley Community Centre and Skipperstone Community Centre are full but a waiting list is in operation. For more details, contact Ards and North Down Borough Council on 0300 013 3333 (ext. 40344).