Since the end of 2021 GRIT has been working in partnership with the NHS and is currently hosting two adolescent Health and Wellbeing coaches who are overseen by Dr Louise.
This section therefore contains links and resources that might benefit someone who is seeing a HWB coach or who is receiving support from the NHS. We know how difficult it can appear when trying to navigate the system and wealth of resources that are available so we will try to keep it as simple as possible.
To start with it’s helpful to explain what our coaches do. They have completed the following training:
Health coaching is a relatively new addition to NHS services designed to empower patients with their own health and wellbeing. There are many resources out there that support people, but it can be difficult to know what is available. Our adolescent coaches work with the young person to achieve goals they have set and help identify any resources that may support them in doing so, creating an individualised plan that supports the young person in their desired goal whether that be to learn social skills, to feel less anxious, to stop self harming or gain self confidence. It is important to note that this is considered an early intervention strategy and the coaches are not there to diagnose or treat more severe mental health conditions.
I am the lead Health & Wellbeing Coach working for the NHS and hosted by GRIT. I have been working as a Health & Wellbeing Coach for almost a year and I have achieved the Guildhall Certificate in Coaching & Mentoring (Accredited by the European Mentoring & Coaching Council) at Foundation Level. I am currently working on my Advanced Level. I work in the Hitchin secondary schools and run the termly GRIT programme. My mission is to help young people to maximize their full potential, support them to identify their goals and provide encouragement throughout the journey to become whatever they want to be. The road may not always be as smooth as we may like, but with a little bit of encouragement everyone has the ability to pick the right path for themselves. My background is in roles as a family worker in a children’s centre and supporting the midwifery team working with vulnerable women. I have more recently worked as an early year's language practitioner and spent 6 years working as a healthy lifestyle's coordinator delivering parenting programmes.
I am a Health & Wellbeing Coach at GRIT and work in schools to coach young people. I also bring my boxing experience, as I have been a boxing coach for an academy in Hitchin for the last year, working with young people from ages 5-15 years old. I am passionate about coaching and strive for results. I am determined and possess a genuine interest for young people’s goals and more importantly making others realise their full potential. I am also currently working towards my diploma level 3 personal trainer. I have previously worked as a prison officer in a male prison, and a detention officer for the police where I was responsible for providing appropriate care and support for vulnerable prisoners, and those at risk of self-harm. promote anti-bullying and suicide prevention policies.
Hwehealthiertogether.nhs.uk has a wealth of information for children, young people, and their parents.
For young people it covers topics like mental and sexual health and what support is available locally.
For parents it provides information on how to support your child with body image, eating disorders and SEND as well as information on what courses are available such as parenting a child with ADHD.
Of note - if you suspect your child may be neurodiverse (ADHD/ASD) you do not need to have a diagnosis of this (you may have decided that a diagnosis is not needed or are waiting to be assessed) before you can access these courses.
