Early Intervention Support for Schools & Partners
Family Mental Fitness North East CIC works alongside schools, health and Early Help services, local authorities and community organisations to provide preventative wellbeing and targeted early intervention for children, young people and families.
We believe children shouldn't have to reach crisis point before their wellbeing matters.
Through creative, relational, play-based and nature-based approaches, we create opportunities to strengthen relationships, confidence, emotional regulation, communication and connection.
Our work complements existing pastoral, SEND and SEMH provision through flexible individual, small-group, family and community-based support.
CURRENT FUNDED PROGRAMMES
We currently deliver Two Fully-funded programmes for children and families
Places are free for eligible participants, with access subject to programme criteria, referral arrangements and availability. .
🌿 Connected Families
Family Wellbeing | Ages 2–8 | Free Funded Places
Connected Families is a welcoming, preventative wellbeing programme bringing children and their parents or carers together through play, creativity, sensory exploration and shared experiences.
The programme supports positive family relationships, emotional wellbeing and connection, while introducing simple, practical ideas that families can explore together at home.
Who is it for?
Families with children aged approximately 2–8 who may benefit from opportunities to:
- Strengthen parent–child relationships and positive interactions.
- Build confidence and social connection.
- Explore emotions and everyday regulation strategies.
- Reduce isolation and develop supportive relationships.
- Enjoy positive shared experiences through play and creativity.
The programme may be particularly helpful for families experiencing social isolation, everyday wellbeing challenges or barriers to accessing community activities.
Children with additional or neurodevelopmental needs are welcome, subject to the suitability of the group setting and any support requirements.
Age range: 2–8 years
Format: Parent/carer and child together
Duration: Typically delivered in blocks of sessions
Funding: The National Lottery Community Fund
Access: Professional referrals and direct family enquiries
🌳 Sycamore Wellbeing
Targeted Early Intervention | Six-Week Programme
Sycamore Wellbeing provides structured, child-centred early intervention for children who may benefit from additional support with emotional wellbeing, confidence, regulation, relationships or engagement.
The programme offers a supportive environment where children can build trust, express themselves, experience success and explore ways of navigating everyday challenges.
Using relational, creative, sensory, play-based and nature-based approaches, sessions are adapted to the child's individual needs and circumstances.
Who is it for?
Sycamore may be appropriate for children experiencing:
- Anxiety, worry or emotional distress.
- Difficulties with emotional regulation or overwhelm.
- Low confidence or self-esteem.
- Challenges with friendships and social connection.
- Difficulties navigating transitions or change.
- Reduced engagement with school or learning.
- Emerging emotional or wellbeing needs.
What does it involve?
Sycamore is delivered over six weeks, with structured sessions shaped around the child's needs and intended outcomes.
Depending on the referral and commissioning arrangements, support may be delivered individually or in small groups.
Activities can include creative expression, sensory exploration, outdoor experiences, relational play and practical approaches to developing confidence and emotional regulation.
Programme length: Six weeks
Format: Individual or small-group support
Approach: Relational, creative, sensory, play-based and nature-based
Age range: 5-8 years
Access: Professional referral, subject to pathway and eligibility
Funded Sycamore provision
Funded places are supported by the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB).
This provision is for children aged 5–8 within the agreed neurodevelopmental or mental health waiting-list pathway, with access through the relevant CNTW referral arrangements.
Other professional referrals are welcome for consideration under separate commissioning arrangements.
COMMISSIONED PROGRAMMES & PARTNERSHIPS
FLEXIBLE, TARGETED SUPPORT FOR PROFESSIONALS
Family Mental Fitness North East CIC works with schools, local authorities, youth services and community organisations to provide targeted support for children, young people and families.
Alongside our grant-funded programmes, we offer commissioned interventions for individuals and small groups.
Our programmes combine professional therapeutic knowledge with practical, relationship-based approaches, creating opportunities to develop confidence, emotional wellbeing, positive relationships and community connection.
Commissioned places are funded by the referring organisation, with costs and payment arrangements agreed before delivery begins.
🌳 Sycamore Wellbeing
Targeted Early Intervention | Six-Week Programme
As per funded programme above.
Programme length: Six weeks
Format: Individual or small-group support
Approach: Relational, creative, sensory, play-based and nature-based
Age range: 9-13
Access: Professional referral, subject to pathway and eligibility
Indicative Costs
Six-week individual programmes start from £1,788 per child.
Small-group places are available for children joining a carefully matched cohort of three or four, with costs provided on request. A waiting period may apply while a suitable group is formed.
Schools and organisations can also commission an entire cohort of up to four children, with reserved capacity and agreed delivery dates.
All programmes include individual intake and assessment, six 90-minute sessions, two practitioners, tailored therapeutic activities and individual outcome reporting.
🏅 Sycamore Legacy
Targeted Early Intervention | Six-Week Programme
Sycamore Legacy is a therapeutically informed programme supporting young people to develop self-esteem, pride, purpose and belonging through meaningful achievement and community contribution.
Working shoulder to shoulder with two Family Mental Fitness practitioners, young people are supported to plan and create something tangible that reflects their strengths, interests and ideas.
Therapeutic support is naturally embedded throughout the experience. Through purposeful activity and positive relationships, practitioners help young people develop confidence, communication, emotional regulation and problem-solving skills without making personal difficulties the focus of participation.
Every programme aims to leave a positive legacy — something young people can look back on with genuine pride.
Who is it for?
Sycamore Legacy may be particularly beneficial for young people who would welcome:
- Opportunities to develop confidence and self-esteem.
- Positive relationships with trusted adults.
- A stronger sense of purpose and belonging.
- Practical opportunities to experience achievement.
- Support with communication and emotional regulation.
- Positive engagement with their community.
- An alternative to traditional talking-based interventions.
What does it involve?
Participants attend six weekly 90-minute sessions, individually or in carefully matched groups of up to four.
Projects are flexible and shaped around participants' interests, strengths and abilities. Activities may include:
- Filming, interviewing and digital storytelling.
- Photography, journalism and community reporting.
- Creating artwork for public display.
- Practical community improvement projects.
- Capturing local experiences and community history.
Each participant receives a Sycamore Legacy hoodie, promoting a sense of identity and belonging.
Where appropriate, community role models may contribute to sessions, and participants may have opportunities to share their completed projects with others.
Programme length: Six weeks
Format: Individual or carefully matched groups of up to four young people.
Session length: 90 minutes weekly.
Staffing: Two FMFNE practitioners throughout.
Approach: Therapeutically informed, strengths-based, relationship-led and project-focused.
Age range: Referrals considered individually according to age, developmental stage and suitability.
Access: Professional referral and commissioned places only.
Funding: Not currently grant-funded. The commissioning organisation is responsible for the programme fee.
Indicative Costs
Six-week individual programmes start from £1,855 per young person.
Small-group programmes for up to four young people are also available, with costs provided on request.
All programmes include two practitioners, individual intake and assessment, planning, outcome reporting, project resources and a Legacy hoodie for each participant.
WIDER COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES
More ways to connect, create and get involved
CALLING YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHERS, EXPLORERS AND CREATIVE MINDS!
More ways to connect, create and get involved
Alongside our funded and commissioned programmes, we offer wider opportunities for children, families, schools and community organisations to participate in creative activities, events and community projects.
What's On in the Community
CALLING YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHERS, EXPLORERS AND CREATIVE MINDS!
More ways to connect, create and get involved
Discover our upcoming activities, family sessions and community events, including opportunities that families can access directly.
CALLING YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHERS, EXPLORERS AND CREATIVE MINDS!
CALLING YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHERS, EXPLORERS AND CREATIVE MINDS!
CALLING YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHERS, EXPLORERS AND CREATIVE MINDS!
Our current Professor Pace book project invites children across the North East to capture the places, scenes and little discoveries that make their communities special.
Selected photographs will feature in a published children's book, with a prize for the best submission, chosen by our judging panel.
Schools and community organisations are encouraged to share the opportunity and help children get involved. Photographs must be submitted by a parent or carer and should not include identifiable faces.
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