British boxer Courtney Fry supporting Mentally Healthy Schools and Colleges

The Commonwealth Games gold medallist and European silver medallist and Youth Sport Trust athlete mentor visited Smithills School

January 14th 2020

His visit was part of a programme, commissioned by Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, to provide specialist mental health support for both pupils and teachers in 125 primary, secondary schools and colleges across Greater Manchester.

The athlete has been working with students to provide advice to help improve their confidence and reach their full potential. Drawing on his own experiences of being bullied at school for being good at sport and competing at a high level, Fry has also been offering the students coaching in key life skills such as growing self-esteem, learning creative thinking skills and how to develop coping strategies for challenges.

“Our students have really benefited from this project and the support we have received has been excellent. As a school, we feel we do a lot to support wellbeing already, but the extra training in mental health first aid and the student workshops have enhanced our provision. It is fantastic to see the links between mental health, sport and physical activity being made explicit too.” Chloe Angus, Mental Health Lead at Smithills School

You can read more on the Bolton News website Boxer Courtney Fry joins the fight to raise awareness of mental health.

You can find out more about this programme Mentally health schools and colleges