Aberdeen FC Community Trust (AFCCT) are delighted to have secured the support of global energy company CNOOC International as official sponsor of MINDSET, a project delivering a proactive and preventative approach to tackling mental health issues for young people aged ten to 14.
The support from CNOOC will enable AFCCT to deliver MINDSET to 1,000 adolescents across the city and shire. The project offers a tool kit that focuses on positive approaches to building life skills that promote mental wellbeing to prevent issues in the future, and helps deliver the AFCCT’s vision to continuously provide support and opportunity to change lives for the better.
Developed in partnership with Grassroots Soccer, the MINDSET project helps place less emphasis on mental health disorders and more on life skills that promote mental wellbeing.
Aligning with the Scottish Government key aims within the mental health and wellbeing strategy. Completing MINDSET has proven to increase young people’s knowledge of empathy and help improve their resilience.
Over the course of the academic year 2022/2023, over 1,000 pupils completed MINDSET across ten schools within the region. This includes 713 pupils from primary schools and 316 academy pupils for which the stigma around mental health has been broken down, making it easier and more natural for young people to talk about their mental wellbeing.
Like AFCCT, CNOOC aims to make a positive impact on local communities through sustainable long-term support.
Mr. Pan Yiyong, Managing Director for CNOOC’s UK business, said: “CNOOC is delighted to team up with AFCCT once again to support their MINDSET mental wellbeing programme. Empowering young people with an understanding of positive mental health and the skills to manage stress in daily life is helping to set the next generation up for success, enabling them to realise their full potential.
“We look forward to seeing the programme develop across schools in the Aberdeen area and learn more about the positive impact it’s making in the local community.”
AFCCT Chief Executive Liz Bowie commented on the partnership: “We are extremely grateful to CNOOC for their support of the MINDSET programme. CNOOC’s understanding of the need to provide young people with the tools to proactively support their own positive mental wellbeing is inspiring.
“We continue to see the positive impact of this programme with the young people we work with. We are thrilled that CNOOC’s generous commitment will enable us to work with so many more children and young people in the year ahead.”
To find out about the work of AFCCT, please contact info@afcct.org