High Sheriff of Cornwall, Jane Hartley visits BF Adventure

BF Adventure welcomed the High Sheriff of Cornwall, Mrs Jane Hartley, on Monday to explore the 60 acre site and meet some of the young people taking advantage of its new programme, Head Out.

During her visit Jane spent some time with a group, interacting with them and taking on a challenge to build a giant catapult that would throw a tennis ball. The aim of the activity is to encourage young people to interact with each other, improve social skills, team building, and to build self-esteem. The activity was a huge success and although they did not win the longest throw the High Sheriff came away with some new friends. During her visit to BF Adventure Jane also experienced rock climbing, these two new sports can be added to her Active Eight Challenge list.

Jane Hartley, High Sheriff of Cornwall commented: “I loved my morning at BF Adventure and was totally inspired by what they have to offer. What a place for children suffering with mental health conditions to experience pure fun mixed with some discipline and challenge to inspire their life. Actually not only children, it is also a playground for adults too!”

Jane has launched a fund introducing sport and outdoor activity to young people with mental health issues and has taken on a challenge to attempt eight sports she has never tried before to raise funds during her shrieval year, the Active Eight Challenge. In October Jane completed an ultra-triathlon across Cornwall to raise money for her new fund and completed it in just 12 hours.

BF Adventure has recently started a new programme called Head Out. This is an early intervention programme for young people who are experiencing difficulties with their mental health, which is having an impact on their day to day life, relationships or engagement in education. It involves an initial outreach and befriending process, followed by group sessions combining outdoor activities with workshops promoting resilience, social skills and building confidence. Workshops may include relevant topics such as; strategies to help with managing anxiety, healthy relationships and body image.

Adrian Richards BF Adventure CEO commented: “It was great to see the High Sheriff of Cornwall at BF Adventure. Jane is an inspiring High Sheriff that is working hard to support young people with mental health in Cornwall. This is something that is very important to us and with our new Duchy Health Charity funding we are now able to support these young people. We really hope to see Jane at BF Adventure again soon and we are glad to have helped her with the Active Eight Challenge, trying Giant Catapults and rock climbing.”

For more information about this programme and all the other programmes at BF Adventure contact enquiries@bfadventure.org or visit their website www.bfadventure.org