TWO mums are using their National Lottery grant funding worth £20,000 to help provide free emotional and mental health wellbeing classes to youngsters.
Nadia Curtis, 41, of Wivenhoe, and Jude Houghton, 49, of Colchester, are the co-founders of We Are Juna, a not-for-profit which aims to support children and young people increase their confidence, resilience and self-esteem.
The idea for We are Juna came about after Nadia discovered the STILL Method, a framework and programme designed to help children manage anxious thoughts and emotions in a fun, support environment.
It helps children equip themselves with techniques to deal with panic attacks, long-term emotional challenges such as traumatic or painful memories, and more.
The funding will help We Are Juna work with more than 200 children.
The sessions start today, Sept 17, at 10am, and only have ten bookable slots open to pre-school children aged three and over. It will continue for the next six weeks.
The sessions also give free access for parent and toddlers into Go Bananas.
Nadia said: “We’re really thankful, when I put the application in, you have to wait 16 weeks.
“We did a strong application but there was a lot of competition, we are really grateful and it makes our work a lot easier.
“I think the age range is lovely, these sessions are around using movement, stories, singing to teach children more about themselves, about emotions, how they are feeling.
Both Nadia and Jude have been working with children since 2020 and they set up We Are Juna as a way to make the STILL Method framework “accessible to all children” without having to pay for it.
Nadia continued: “We’ve seen the growing rate of mental health issues and anxiety. We want to help.
“It is about early intervention; we will signpost if children have serious needs.
“We are teaching and helping children with strategies to regulate, build up confidence.
Nadia had always worked in the corporate industry but changed paths after realising she is passionate about psychology and wanted to work with children.
She now has earned a degree in psychology from Essex University and Jude is undertaking a psychology through Open University.
Moving forward, We Are Juna is looking to work with primary schools within the community to offer six weekly sessions for children of different age groups.
We Are Juna is currently in talks with different schools and if something is agreed it is hoped it will start in October half term.
For more information or to book a free slot, contact info@wearejuna.co.uk.
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