Staff promoting the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service invited young people to write what makes them happy on a post-it wall and to write on a 'How do you feel today' board. Being a sunny weekend, most people seemed to be in a great mood!
Rosie Newbigging, is the Special Educational Needs and Disability Lead for the Bedfordshire CAMHS service. She said,
"This was the first time the 'Inclusion Island' featured at the River Festival providing families with a quieter space to chill out, get involved in workshops and fun activities and find out what’s available in Bedford Borough for children and young people with additional needs. CAMHS staff were there all weekend – our Mental Health Support Team who work in schools, People Participation, Discovery College and Art and Drama psychotherapists alongside other staff. We had some good conversations with parents about what CAMHS can offer and lots of children and young people really engaged with the creative activity on offer. We plan to display our Happiness Tree in CAMHS reception area and also the art work created by children and young people over the weekend. River Festival 2024 is already in our diary."
Thank you to all staff who gave up their time to join the Inclusion Island - and to all the young people and families who came over for a chat!
The festival is held every two years and includes live entertainment and activities, a funfair, raft and dragon boat races, a Pirate Island, the Sports Island and water sports arena. This year, it featured a Festival of Motoring with a parade of unique and interesting vehicles.