Coleraine pupils champion 'Wizards of Wellness' with NI Housing Executive help

Children at Millburn Primary School have completed a unique educational programme designed to help them make informed wellbeing choices thanks to funding from the Housing Executive.

The Wizard of Me project received £3,200 through the Housing Executive's Community Involvement Grant programme, enabling Focus on Family, in partnership with Millburn Primary School and specialist charity HURT (Have Your Tomorrows), to deliver the initiative to local pupils.

Stronger and healthier…Pupils from Millburn Primary School celebrate successfully completing the Wizard of Me programme alongside Vice-Principal, P7 teachers, representatives from Focus on Family, HURT and the Housing Executive. The initiative was supported through a £3,200 Housing Executive Community Involvement Grant and helped raise awareness of the risks associated with vaping, smoking, alcohol and drugs.

placeholder image — Stronger and healthier…Pupils from Millburn Primary School celebrate successfully completing the Wizard of Me programme alongside Vice-Principal, P7 teachers, representatives from Focus on Family, HURT and the Housing Executive. The initiative was supported through a £3,200 Housing Executive Community Involvement Grant and helped raise awareness of the risks associated with vaping, smoking, alcohol and drugs.

Delivered over two five-week blocks with approximately 50 pupils participating the programme involved engaging storytelling, interactive activities and practical demonstrations.

Children learned about the dangers of substance misuse in an age-appropriate, memorable and enjoyable way. Each pupil was presented with a certificate recognising their achievement.

Wizards and wellbeing…Celebrating Millburn Primary School pupils’ successful completion of the Wizard of Me programme are (left to right), Caroline McGowan, HURT, Sadie O'Reilly, HURT, Brendan Patterson, Focus on Family and Gareth Doran, Housing Executive Good Relations Officer. The initiative was supported through a £3,200 Housing Executive Community Involvement Grant and helped raise awareness of the risks associated with vaping, smoking, alcohol and drugs.

Alison Purcell, Housing Executive Team Leader, Limavady said: "We are committed to supporting projects that help children and young people develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to make positive choices.

"Projects such as Wizard of Me demonstrate the positive impact that partnership working can have in strengthening communities and supporting the wellbeing of young people."

Brendan Patterson, Project Manager at Focus on Family, said: "An outcome of this amazing project has been supporting local children with awareness-raising around the pertinent dangers of vaping, smoking, alcohol and drugs in the formative year before they go to big school.

"It has been a hugely positive project and one that reflects the very best in partnership working."

Alastair Handforth, Year 7 Teacher at Millburn Primary School, said: "Sensitive topics were explored in a safe, engaging and supportive environment, leaving the children better equipped with the confidence and understanding they need as they move forward."