County council chair launches schools art competition

County council chairman, Councillor Arwel Roberts, has announced he is launching a new Denbighshire Schools Art Competition, entitled WELLNESS - ‘What Makes You Happy?’.

This aims to raise awareness of the NSPCC’s vital Childline service, which is a free, confidential service available online or on the phone, anytime for children and young people up to 19 years old to seek support and advice, including about their mental health.

The creative challenge invites Denbighshire’s under 12-year-olds to send in their artwork of things that make them happy. For example, a trip to the park or the beach, visiting family, spending time with friends, playing sport.

The participants will be in with a chance for their art to go on display in libraries across the county during Children’s Mental Health Week, from the 6th to the 12th of February, with the overall winner being awarded a free workshop in school with a leading Welsh artist. The closing date for the competition will be the 27th of January.

Cllr Roberts said: “We are proud to support and be working with NSPCC North Wales Hub in Prestatyn on this competition. Their outstanding and vital work to protect children deserves the awareness this new competition will bring. The NSPCC are there when both children and adults need a helping hand and offer life changing services 24 hours of the day.

This competition is a chance for children and young people to be creative and truly express how they’re feeling through the medium of art. I am really looking forward to seeing all of the amazing entries.”

Jessica Finnegan, Community Fundraising and Partnerships Manager at NSPCC Wales/Cymru, said: “We are delighted this new art competition has been opened to raise awareness of our Childline service.

“Childline provides vital support for children and young people to be able to talk about their mental health, and in fact we know this was among the top three concerns counselled at our Childline base in Prestatyn last year.

“We can’t wait to see all of the fantastic entries which are submitted.”

* Children and young people can contact Childline about any worries by calling 0800 1111 or visiting the site.