TEENAGE hopes and fears are being explored in an innovative £500,000 mental health project which has seen Middlesbrough youngsters express their emotions through digital storytelling.

After a brainstorming ‘graffiti’ session where 10 to 14-year-olds scrawled down the issues that kept them awake at night, they were taught how to use a basic editing package to create their own short films which will be used to improve young people’s services in the town.

Death, worries about growing up, bullying, homework and pressure to conform were just some of the topics disclosed by 32 youngsters from Unity City Academy, Acklam Grange and Trinity Catholic College at Myplace youth centre.

Middlesbrough Council is leading the town’s HeadStart scheme along with support from the public and voluntary sectors, schools, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and Clinical Commissioning Group.

The town has been selected by the Big Lottery Fund (BLF) as one of 12 areas to pilot an 18-month scheme to improve mental health for secondary school pupils.

The BLF will eventually make up to £10m available as ideas are rolled out into full projects with the deadline for grant applications likely to be late next year.

Wendy Kelly, strategic manager at Myplace, said feedback from the digital- storytelling sessions will now determine how future services are delivered.

“The sessions themselves bring young people together from different schools which encourage them to make friends with new people and helps develop confidence.

“That in itself can be a comfort when they become aware that there are other people out there who have the same worries as them. This particular group blended really well and has given us great insight in to where we need to focus future support, guidance and opportunities.”

Myplace, a £4.3m purpose-built facility located in the historic Custom House offers activities for young people aged nine to 19, or up to 25 with special needs or disabilities.

Mrs Kelly said some of the students involved in digital storytelling would now be trained to become community reporters and interview primary school pupils about their fears about the transition to secondary school.

“It’s great to get students together and discuss the issues that are having an impact in their lives at this moment in time. By identifying these issues we are able to focus funding on specific areas that are causing the most concern, which in turn will allow us to offer specialised support,” she added.