A SCHEME designed to improve school children’s mental wellbeing has been a massive success.

The ‘Sammy’s Stories’ initiative has been set up by family therapist Barbara Martindale, who has been working in Tywyn since 2003, and is having a very positive effect on the town’s children.

More than 200 kids have taken the course which teaches them awareness of how their thoughts affects their moods, behaviours and physical reactions.

Through a series of illustrated books and talks about Sammy, an adorable puppy, Tywyn youngsters have learnt how to raise their self esteem and confidence and make themselves less of a target for intimidation.

Barbara, an accredited BACP counsellor and graduate member of the British Psychological Society, decided to start the innovative classes after she was left “heartbroken” by the amount of children that suffer at the hands of bullies and the devastating effects that can have in later life.

New studies show that anxiety issues can be found in children as young as seven and Barbara is keen to do everything she can to prevent any unnecessary suffering.

See this week’s north editions for the full feature, in shops and online on Thursday