Frank Field MP visit offers new potential for BePART programme

The first steps have been taken to get Birkenhead Sixth Form College’s unique life-skills programme recognised on a national level after a visit from Member of Parliament for Birkenhead, Frank Field.

The six-week ‘BePART’ scheme was launched in September for all new students and focuses on the mental health and wellbeing of young people through sessions concentrating on Positivity, Ambition, Resilience and Thoughtfulness (PART).

 “I’ve not seen anything like it before; it’s a real innovation." - Frank Field MP

During his visit along with Deputy Leader of Wirral Council, George Davies, Mr Field took the time to meet with Psychology teacher, Roy Owen, who led in devising the ‘BePART’ programme, which is borne out of solid scientific research and proven psychological methods.

With the first group of students having just completed their programme, and some showing empirically positive results, both Mr Field and Mr Davies are to take measures to raise the profile of the scheme, with a view to rolling it out on a wider scale for the benefit of many more young people.

Mr Field will be sending a letter regarding the project to the Secretary of State for Education, with the goal being to receive funding for ‘BePART’ to grow, develop and fulfil its burgeoning potential to help young people in their academic as well as their personal lives.

Labour MP Mr Field, who has represented the Birkenhead constituency for nearly 40 years, said: “I’ve not seen anything like it before; it’s a real innovation.

“It’s a project that’s got legs and one that should be pursued. It’s brilliant that it’s actually started here in this College. Roy’s made a real case about the ‘size of the market’, to use that term, and that it’s actually growing.”

Being cautious about optimism for finance, Mr Field said: “Budgets are actually decreasing but Roy’s going to send me a letter and that’s going to go to the Secretary of State.”

Wirral Councillor Mr Davies is also to bring the project to the attention of the local Health and Wellbeing board and the council as a whole.

Psychology teacher, Roy Owen, said: “We believe that the programme is already making a tangible difference to students at the College, with many who have finished the six-week course reporting to feel more positive and equipped to deal with the challenges that life can throw at them.

“BePART is truly unique and only in its infancy, but we hope that people can recognise its importance in tackling an issue like mental health and wellbeing, that is only becoming more prevalent amongst young people. We’re putting ourselves at the forefront of that battle by actively addressing the problems and using carefully selected psychological methods to help combat those issues at the source, rather than leaving teenagers to fight them alone.”

Roy concluded: “With help from our partners from Liverpool John Moores University’s Faculty for Education, we’re going to analyse the data we get back from the students who have completed their programmes, and hope to use that to not only further our development of BePART, but also add more weight to the cause for funding from local and national decision-makers to support many more teenagers across the Wirral.”