Compass Birmingham Launches First Newsletter!
We are thrilled to announce the launch of Compass Birmingham’s very first newsletter! This exciting new initiative is designed to keep you updated on all the incredible work we’ve been doing and what’s on the horizon.
In this inaugural edition, we’re taking a look back at some of the special events we hosted over the summer. From community engagement sessions to family-friendly outdoor activities, it’s been a season packed with fun, learning, and connection. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us and made these events a success!
But that’s not all—we’re also sharing what we’ve been working on in local schools. At Compass Birmingham, we believe in empowering young people, and our team has been busy conducting workshops and activities focused on building confidence, teamwork, and personal development. From mental health awareness to creative arts sessions, these programs are designed to inspire and equip students for the future.
To view our very first newsletter, click here!
Compass Birmingham Hosts Successful Event on Mental Wellbeing at Goals
On August 20th, Compass Birmingham hosted a vibrant community event at Goals in Star City, bringing together parents, young people, and children to focus on mental wellbeing.
The event successfully combined fun activities such as football, bracelet making and a wellbeing station with valuable discussions on mental health, aiming to raise awareness and support within the community.
A key highlight of the day was an insightful presentation on men’s mental health, delivered by Compass Birmingham’s specialist team. The presentation shed light on the unique challenges men face regarding mental health and highlighted effective strategies for support and intervention. Following this, an engaging discussion with parents allowed participants to share experiences and explore practical solutions. This discussion was particularly impactful, with many parents expressing gratitude for the opportunity to openly address these important issues.
One guardian, impressed with the organization of the event and the resources provided, remarked, “Events like these are really needed… I’m looking forward to what your organization does next!” This sentiment was echoed by many attendees, reinforcing the value of such community-focused initiatives.
The event’s success was largely due to the collaborative efforts of the specialist team working closely with school practitioners, ensuring that the event was both informative and impactful. The children were happy and content with the activities planned and enjoyed the refreshments provided.
Overall, the event was a resounding success, underlining the importance of community support in promoting mental wellbeing. Compass Birmingham continues to foster a healthier and more informed community.
Compass Birmingham Summer Workshops: A Series of Supportive Sessions for Parents and Guardians
This summer, Compass Birmingham is offering a comprehensive series of workshops aimed at supporting parents and guardians. These workshops are designed to provide valuable insights into the services offered by Compass Birmingham and to equip families with the necessary tools to address mental health and well-being concerns.
Workshop Schedule and Details:
Introductory Workshops:
- Monday, 29th July: 10 AM – 11 AM and 3 PM – 4 PM
- Tuesday, 30th July: 6 PM – 7 PM
These initial sessions will introduce parents and guardians to Compass Birmingham’s services, offering a broad overview and how to access them.
Support Workshops with Q&A:
- Monday, 12th August: 3 PM – 4 PM
- Wednesday, 14th August: 10 AM – 11 AM and 6 PM – 7 PM
These workshops will provide a deeper dive into specific support services available, followed by a Q&A session to address any questions or concerns parents/guardians may have.
Managing Back to School Worries/Anxiety Workshops:
- Tuesday, 27th August: 3 PM – 4 PM and 6 PM – 7 PM
- Wednesday, 28th August: 10 AM – 11 AM
As the new school year approaches, these sessions will focus on managing back-to-school anxiety and worries, providing practical advice and strategies to help children transition smoothly.
Compass Birmingham is dedicated to supporting families by providing essential mental health resources. These summer workshops are an excellent opportunity for parents and guardians to learn more about the services available and how to effectively support their children’s mental well-being. Don’t miss out on these valuable sessions—register today and take the first step towards a healthier, more supportive family environment.
How to Participate
All workshops will be held virtually, ensuring accessibility for all participants. To join a session, simply click here or scan the QR code provided on the posters shared on our social media (linked below).
This will take you directly to the virtual meeting platform.
Connect with us!
You can contact us and follow us on social media using the links below:
- Email: birminghammhst@compass-uk.org
- Phone: +0121 227 8254
- Instagram: @compassbmhst
- Facebook: @CompassBirminghamMHST
- Twitter/ X: @compassbmhst
Compass Birmingham Celebrates Men’s Health Week
From June 10th to 16th, Compass Birmingham participated in Men’s Health Week, an initiative focused on raising awareness about men’s health and mental well-being. Chloe, Joe, Meg, and Pete delivered an engaging assembly at Archbishop Ilsley School, reaching out to 100 Year 10 and Year 12 male students. The assembly highlighted critical information on men’s mental health, including early signs, symptoms, and available support resources, providing valuable insights to the students.
In addition, Chloe, Chante, and Renita visited Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School in Tilescross to discuss the School’s Mental Health Policy Group with a focus group of students. This session was an excellent opportunity to engage with young minds and gather their input on mental health policies, ensuring that their voices contribute to shaping the support systems in their school.
Through these activities, Compass Birmingham is dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and support, demonstrating our commitment to the well-being of young people in our community. Stay tuned for more updates on our initiatives and events as we continue to make a positive impact.
Carving Out Our Unique Identity
Establishing Our Presence
Compass Birmingham is excited to announce the launch of our new service, focused on making a meaningful impact on the mental health and well-being of children, families, and young people in our community. As we establish our unique identity, our dedicated practitioners are actively engaging with local schools to spread awareness about the comprehensive services we offer.
Our team has been tirelessly working to build strong relationships with schools across various localities. Through multiple link meetings, we are able to introduce our services and collaborate with educational institutions. These meetings have been instrumental in facilitating workshops and engaging activities that highlight the support we provide to students.
Gathering Insights for Our Branding
Our Engagement and Equalities Practitioner, Chante Spooner, is at the forefront of our branding efforts. She is actively gathering information from children and young people to ensure their contributions are reflected in our brand identity. By involving them in this process, we aim to create a brand that resonates with our community and truly represents the needs and aspirations of the young people we serve.
Supporting Families & Introducing Restorative Supervision
Supporting families is a cornerstone of our mission at Compass Birmingham. Shareen, our Families Practitioner, is dedicated to enhancing the services we offer to parents and carers. She is currently familiarizing herself with the Beyond Behaviours program, which we plan to introduce in the new academic year. Additionally, Shareen will receive Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) training in August, further equipping her to provide robust support to families.
From September onwards, Shareen will also be offering Restorative Supervision within our service. As a newly trained Restorative Supervisor, she will provide valuable support to our team, enhancing our ability to deliver high-quality care and fostering a supportive environment for our practitioners.
Looking Ahead
Compass Birmingham is committed to making a lasting difference in our community. As we continue to establish our unique identity, we remain dedicated to engaging with schools, supporting families, and ensuring that the voices of children and young people are central to everything we do. We look forward to growing our presence and enhancing the mental health and well-being of those we serve.
Ensuring Timely Support: The Launch of Compass Link!
Birmingham Mental Health Support Team (MHST) priority is ensuring children, young people, families (CYPF) receive the support they need in a timely manner. That’s why we’re thrilled to launch Compass LINK, your virtual ‘front door’ to accessing the right emotional health and wellbeing assistance, at the right time, by the right professional.
Education staff, partners, children, young people and families can now contact Compass LINK via phone 0121 227 8254 and / or email birminghammhst@compass-uk.org to get timely access to:
- Requests for Support (RS): For a child or young person who may benefit from early intervention 1:1 support or group work.
- Information and advice: For a child or young person about a particular emotional wellbeing topic (e.g. anxiety) to help self-manage by providing them with resources and self-help tools.
- Signposting & Navigation: Help with guidance towards to the most appropriate service(s) to meet the needs of children, young people and families.
Please note Birmingham MHST only works with children and young people who attend one of our selected schools. Click here to see a full list of schools.
Compass Link is designed to simplify the process of seeking support, it’s your one-stop-shop for accessing help, connecting with professionals, and navigating to the appropriate service / resources. Compass Link is all about delivering support when you need it most.
Built upon principles of accessibility and tailored to meet the unique needs of our community, Compass Link focuses on proactive and preventative approaches, ensuring that problems are addressed before they escalate.
Whether you reach out via phone or email, Compass Link provides a unified virtual front door for accessing our services, ensuring a seamless experience for all individuals seeking support.
At Birmingham MHST, Compass Link is more than just a service – it’s the embodiment of our commitment to providing timely and effective support to our community. With structured processes, guiding principles, and a team of dedicated professionals, we’re here to ensure that no one faces their challenges alone.
So, if you’re in need of a helping hand, Compass Link is here to guide you every step of the way. Because everyone deserves support when they need it most.
Team Induction in January
Our new trainees are really looking forward to helping the children and young people of Birmingham. Here, Helen and Leanne talk about heir introduction to their roles at our special induction event.