Positive Active Minds (PAM)
Positive Active Minds (PAM) is our user-led, flagship programme offering early intervention, low-level mental health support. The programme includes creative workshops, a peer support network, family drop-in sessions and peer mentor training. PAM aims to empower people to better support themselves and each other by sharing experiences, forming positive relationships, relaxing, socialising and learning new skills in a safe and supportive environment. This approach contributes to improving participants confidence, resilience, well-being and mental health.
Our peer support network provides a safe, non-judgemental environment for participants, to meet and share experiences. Supported by a qualified team, to including, mental health practitioners, counsellors and youth workers who are there to help facilitate sessions.
The peer support group encourages participants to ‘have a voice’ feel more in control and help others become accepting and understanding of mental health. It offers mutual social, emotional and practical support in both face-to-face and online, creating a safe and supportive environment where individuals feel listened to.
These sessions support families to explore ways of improving their mental health, share coping strategies, discuss triggers and other challenges with peers. It also offers opportunities to learn new skills which in turn, improve, self-esteem and levels of confidence and resilience in turn, reducing anxiety and raising aspirations.
Supported by trained staff, volunteers and Peer Mentors, people involved with the PAM Programme will be given the opportunity to work together to develop and structure their own creative activities and workshops. These activities are intended for participants to take part in using creativity and art as coping mechanisms and aides to improving overall well-being. Examples of activities include, drama workshops to build confidence and express emotions, painting, creative writing or reading clubs to enable people to socialise and relax in a safe and friendly environment.
Our Peer Mentors are people who work alongside participants in a voluntary capacity. Some will have gone through their own experiences and want to offer their support. Others may be training in counselling, psychology or other similar disciplines and can offer their knowledge and skills.
In both cases, the programme offers volunteers, learning and training opportunities and certificates. For more details on this programme, please get in touch.
Climb 4 always made me feel fully supported and valued, which in turn provided me with a sense of belonging, increasing my self-esteem, confidence and general wellbeing. Therefore, the new PAM project will be a wonderful and rewarding opportunity for volunteers and participants to join and grow with, as I did, with Climb 4.
