Using their own experiences and knowledge, they hope to bridge the gap by providing holistic support to children and young people with their emotional wellbeing.<\/p>\n
Carla and Ashlea of Calms Steps PHOTO: Submitted<\/p>\n
Carla, who has a degree in childhood studies and is currently working towards a masters in psychology, says she understands what it feels like to be misunderstood.<\/p>\n
Having suffered with her own mental health throughout her teenage years, she wants to reassure others that it gets better. She said: \u201cI had EBSA (emotional based school avoidance) during my adolescence, and I think my experience has always given me passion to help others.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow I am through the other side, I can show other people it gets better and provide the support for them.<\/p>\n
Carla Blanksby is the director and practitioner of Calm Steps PHOTO: Submitted<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been there and I understand there is a reason for children\u2019s behaviour, the service is all about working with families to provide support with resilience, self confidence, self-esteem, challenging behaviours, healthy relationships and family and school environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe list is endless to what we are able to offer. We also offer support to professionals who want to learn more about helping children and young people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Calm Steps covers the majority of Lincolnshire, but currently operates in Spalding<\/a>, Boston<\/a> and the surrounding areas.<\/p>\n Rather than a clinical setting, Carla and Ashlea visit families in their own environment and encourage meet-ups which include activities the child enjoys, for example, playing football at the park.<\/p>\n After a successful first five months, the pair are hoping to set up a community interest company to apply for grants, so the service is accessible to all and not just individuals who can afford private support.<\/p>\n Their long term plan is to work closely with Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health service) to ease pressure and workload, following the dramatic increase in referrals since the pandemic.<\/p>\n Ashlea, who works in the youth justice and child protection system for social services, noticed an urgent need for mental health support for children and young people.<\/p>\n Carla added: \u201cThe high demand for support has been building up over a long period of time.<\/p>\n \u201cServices are often finding that as a result of long waiting lists, they are seeing people at crisis \u2013 we want to bridge that gap and get in there before it gets to crisis point.<\/p>\n \u201cI think there are a number of factors involved for the increase in referrals.<\/p>\n \u201cSocial media puts a lot of pressure on children and there is a lack of support available.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople are struggling in general and the more awareness there is, the better support there can be.\u201d<\/p>\n After dealing with EBSA \u2013 which refers to a reduced or nonattendance at school, caused by emotional, mental health or wellbeing difficulties \u2013 Carla believes it is vital to work with educational bodies, to provide the correct resources for pupils who are struggling.<\/p>\n The duo have already visited a number of schools in the area, but are keen for others to get on board.<\/p>\n Carla said: \u201cI think it needs to be more of a priority in schools as their main focus is exam results and attainment \u2013 there is no focus on the wellbeing of their children and young people.<\/p>\n \u201cThe schools we have visited have backed what we are doing, but we want to encourage more to get on board.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I had been offered a trusted adult in adolescence whilst I was in school, I feel like it could have been addressed earlier on to avoid it escalating.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is a lot of pressure on youngsters.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know there are children with mental health issues and it’s about approaching them and making them aware of our service because we are here.\u201d<\/p>\n Amelia Harding, Director of Operations for Specialist Services said: “Demand for mental health support for children and young people has increased significantly over the last few years, particularly since the pandemic.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile lots of work is taking place to look at how we best meet this demand now and in the future, we do acknowledge that our waits for some services are longer than we would like at the moment.<\/p>\n \u201cFor our specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) this can be around seven weeks from referral to assessment.<\/p>\n \u201cAs well as CAMHS, we do also have a wide range of services that aim to support young people as early as possible including our Healthy Minds Lincolnshire service, and we are continuing to roll out Mental Health Support Teams in schools across the county.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile children, young people and their families are waiting for specialist support, we provide a range of resources that could support during that time, including guided self-help, local community groups and activities that may help and contacts for in an emergency.<\/p>\n \u201cWe also regularly check in to ensure people\u2019s needs haven\u2019t changed or escalated during this time.<\/p>\n \u201cIf a young person is struggling with their mental health and wellbeing, we encourage people to contact our 24\/7 free advice line Here4You on 0800 234 6342 for a discussion about the support available. This team can also take self-referrals into our services without the need to visit a GP.\u201d<\/p>\nThe number of child and young person referrals has \u2018significantly\u2019 increased since covid 19 PHOTO: Stock<\/p>\n
Carla and Ashlea set up Calm Steps five months ago PHOTO: Submitted<\/p>\n
Mental health stock photos Photo: istock<\/p>\n