Fairfield High School (FHS) was recently delighted to welcome former Olympian and international triple jumper Vernon Samuels to inspire and share his wisdom with Year 9 mental health ambassadors, with a view to empowering them to lead physical activities with their peers.

The overall aim of Vernon’s visit was to address the imperative issues of well-being and mental health by increasing students’ self esteem and confidence.

In conjunction with Youth Sports Trust and Excalibur Academies Trust (for which FHS belongs), this project addresses these all too important – and all too misunderstood – issues, by offering tactics for students to help themselves and others.

Vernon has an impressive 25 years of experience of applying his skills and abilities to a diverse range of enterprising change programmes and projects.

Jordan Goodchild, Director of PE at FHS explains:

“We are privileged and honoured to welcome such an influential and inspirational figure to Fairfield. You can almost liken Vernon’s visit to the teaching a man to fish philosophy: by sharing his expertise, skills and wisdom with our mental health ambassadors to then lead activities with others will have a deep routed lasting impact.”