Meet Erin: “I love how my role is new and exciting and every week is different!”

Meet Erin! 

Erin recently began a role at our Becton Centre for Children and Young People as a Mental Health Assistant Practitioner having recently graduated from the University of Sheffield with a Psychology degree. 

The Becton Centre for Children and Young People is a state-of-the-art centre for children and young adults aged up to 18 with serious and complex mental health issues. The centre offers inpatient services in three lodges: Emerald Lodge (ages 8-13), and Sapphire Lodge (ages 13-18). Ruby Lodge (for young people with learning disabilities ages 8-18). 

Erin’s role involves working alongside the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) to support the young people during their stay at Becton, through delivering meaningful activities while they stay with us. Activities are really important for the children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing at Becton as it gives them something to focus on and look forward to. Activities might include baking, table tennis competition, garden games, karaoke, creating decorations to brighten up the lodges and lots more!

Erin said: “I love how my role is new and exciting and every week is different!

“Taking part in activities that our young people enjoy is a great way of releasing those feel-good hormones. In turn, that leads to a more productive day resulting in a sense of accomplishment and positivity. Group activities are common at Becton which help with generating community, interpersonal skills and increasing self-esteem. 

“Every young person is unique and has their own likes and dislikes, so we try to offer a range of activities which allows individuals to continue developing their current hobbies or find a new skill that they love!” 

This week is Children’s Mental Health Week and Erin would like you, with your friends or family, to do an activity together – whether that’s walking, painting, playing a game or finding new music.

She said: “It’s fantastic to see how the activities we do at Becton can really help the young people staying with us, so I’d encourage anyone to try something too.”

When Erin isn’t working, she loves exploring Sheffield and the surrounding areas: “I love walking in the local parks and further afield in the Peak District, as well as going out with friends for food. Sheffield has some really amazing places to visit – the Botanical Gardens, Endcliffe Park, Mam Tor, Ladybower Reservoir and even better is when you finish your walk you can pop along to one of the many independent cafes that Sheffield has, Sharrow Vale road is a must!” 

Planning weekly activities is a crucial part of Erin’s role and she’s always looking for charities and organisations to work with to keep on providing new experiences for the young people at Becton. If you’d be interested in working with Becton or providing resources, then please send us a message!