Youth-led ‘Think Outside the Block’ toolkit rolled out to secondary schools across Pembrokeshire

A wNEW mental health and wellbeing resource designed by young people for young people has been launched in Pembrokeshire to mark Children’s Mental Health Week.

The county’s Children and Young People’s Rights Office (CYPRO) has unveiled Think Outside the Block – an interactive booklet and game aimed at helping pupils better understand emotional health and feel more confident talking about it.

The resource, launched this week (Feb 9–15), encourages open discussion, challenges common misconceptions and builds awareness around issues including anxiety, self-esteem, neurodiversity and general wellbeing.

Importantly, the project has been created by members of the Pembrokeshire Youth Assembly, working alongside CYPRO and the Primary Mental Health and School In-Reach teams.

The idea grew out of the county-wide “What Matters to You?” consultation, where young people identified mental health and emotional wellbeing as one of their top concerns. Participants said terms linked to mental health and neurodiversity are often used without clear understanding, which can create confusion and stigma.

Think Outside the Block aims to tackle that by using accessible language and interactive activities to help children explore key topics and develop the vocabulary they need to speak openly about how they feel.

Over the coming days, CYPRO will distribute the resource to secondary schools across the county. Staff will be able to use it in classrooms, youth settings and dedicated wellbeing sessions.

A spokesperson for CYPRO said: “This project has been led by young people, for young people. Their voices and experiences have shaped every part of this resource.

“We are delighted to share it with schools across the county and support meaningful conversations about mental health, emotional health and wellbeing.”

The Youth Assembly continues to play a central role in representing the views of young people locally, with this latest initiative described as a strong example of co-production in action..

Picture: Members of the Youth Assembly launch the Think Outside the Block resource (Pic: Supplied).

Headteacher absent as council confirms support plan and oversight visits

CONCERNS have been raised about leadership and staffing at Milford Haven Comprehensive School following last week’s alleged stabbing of a teacher on site.

The Herald has been contacted by a member of teaching staff who described the school as “rudderless” in the days after the incident and questioned whether enough senior management support was in place.

The teacher, who asked not to be named, said staff morale had been affected and claimed there had been little direct communication from the headteacher, who has been absent due to injury.

They said: “We teachers are all saying the same thing. The school feels rudderless. This is a time when a leader needs to step up and let us know they’re still in charge and concerned.”

Concerns were also raised about administrative capacity, with the business manager role reportedly unfilled.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed the current arrangements.

The council said headteacher Ms C. A. Morris remains in post but is currently absent, with deputy headteacher Mr Daryl John deputising.

It added that the business manager position is a matter for the school.

Additional support has been put in place for staff and pupils, including the Education Psychology team on site, access to counselling services and an increased presence from the School Police Liaison Officer throughout the week.

The authority also said the Director of Education is in daily contact with the deputy head.

In terms of oversight, the council confirmed Steven Richards-Downes, Director of Education, has visited the school 35 times and met staff on two occasions. Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language, has made eight visits since taking up the role in May 2019.

Last week’s incident saw a 15-year-old male charged grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a bladed article.

At an initial hearing it was explained that the teacher, who was named as Vicky Williams, has since been discharged from hospital.

The prosecution explained to the court that the boy attacked Williams with a kitchen knife.

The case has been sent to Swansea Crown Court.

A GROUP of students from Haverfordwest High School have been recognised on the national stage after winning a prestigious award at the Wales final of the The King’s Trust and TK Maxx Awards.

The students scooped the JD Foundation Community Impact Award during a ceremony held on Monday, January 19, at voco St Davids Cardiff, celebrating their efforts to transform a vandalised and neglected subway into a bright, welcoming mural for the community.

The project was delivered through the Achieve programme run locally by Pembrokeshire Youth Service, giving pupils a more hands-on, practical approach to learning outside the traditional classroom.

Reclaiming a neglected space

The group identified the graffiti-covered underpass, used daily on their walk to school, as somewhere that left a poor impression of the town.

Ffion, one of the students, said: “The subway was really unwelcoming and gave people a negative impression of the town. We wanted to reclaim the space and turn it into something positive.”

Working together, the pupils applied for funding, secured sponsorship from local businesses and organised school fundraising events. They also partnered with local artist Lloyd Griffiths to design and paint a colourful mural celebrating wellbeing, identity and pride in Haverfordwest.

The artwork even features their daily emotional “check-in” system – a tool they used throughout the programme to support each other’s mental health.

Building confidence and skills

Many of the young people involved had faced barriers in mainstream education, including social and emotional challenges or caring responsibilities at home. Several were at risk of leaving school with few qualifications.

Through the Achieve programme, they say they found a more supportive environment where they could develop confidence and practical skills.

Lateesha said: “We were really pushed outside of our comfort zone throughout the project, which helped us discover confidence in ourselves and just how much we’re capable of.”

The students developed teamwork, communication, fundraising and public speaking skills while delivering a lasting improvement to their neighbourhood.

Ffion added: “This project is our legacy. We’ve created something lasting that represents who we are and where we come from. It’s amazing what a cup of tea and a conversation can result in.”

Recognition on the national stage

Aaron Probert, JD Foundation Manager, presented the award on the night.

He said: “It is an honour to present this very special group of young people with the Community Impact Award. The way you have worked together to benefit your community is truly inspiring and the impact you have had is clear to see.”

The win now puts the Haverfordwest students in the running for a national King’s Trust Award, with finalists invited to a celebration event in May at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

The King’s Trust supports young people aged eleven to thirty with skills, training and opportunities, with three in four participants moving into work, education or training.

For these Pembrokeshire pupils, their award-winning mural is already proof of what can happen when young people are given the chance – and the support – to make a difference close to home.