An appointment with the Prime Minister for Alex

Alex Elliott-Smith, 17, from Ponteland recently travelled to Powys in South Wales to meet the Prime Minister to share her thoughts on how to improve mental health amongst young people. Alex, who is a Ponteland High School student, is a graduate of the National Citizen Service (NCS) programme, which allows 16 and 17 year olds to gain important skills to use in life and work. As part of her role on the regional NCS youth board, Alex designed a booklet to help North East teenagers affected by mental health issues in partnership with the If U Care Share Foundation, as well as running mental health stalls in Durham City centre. There are now plans to print and distribute the brochures at schools across the North East. The Prime Minister was in South Wales to announce that 100,000 teenagers a year will be given mental health training to help them cope with exam pressures and build their self-esteem. The NCS is a fantastic programme and I am delighted to see the Prime Minister support Alex's wonderful work in tacking mental health among young people.