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Mortal Fools, a leading creative learning charity based in Northumberland, has won a prestigious Children & Young People Now Award for the impact of its innovative primary school mental health programme, MELVA. The charity took home The PSHE Education Award for its digital children’s wellbeing platform and was also named a finalist in The Mental Health and Wellbeing Award category.
The Children & Young People Now Awards celebrate innovation, excellence, and outstanding practice across the children’s services sector in the UK. MELVA’s national recognition comes at a critical time, as children’s mental health needs continue to rise and schools seek effective, preventative support. Developed by Mortal Fools, MELVA is a whole-school creative programme designed to help children aged 7–11 understand and manage their mental health. Through creative digital resources, engaging characters, and fun practical classroom activities, the programme equips young people (and their teachers!) with essential tools to recognise emotions, build resilience, and support their own wellbeing. In the 2025/26 academic year, nearly 150 primary schools will use the MELVA - programme benefiting upward of 10000 children during a period of escalating mental health challenges for young people. Kiz Crosbie, Artistic Director and CEO of Mortal Fools, celebrated the national recognition, saying: “I am delighted and proud that the impact of our Melva Digital programme has been recognised with the PSHE Award in the Children & Young People Now Awards 2025. This national award recognises the importance and success of an early intervention and prevention approach to mental health and wellbeing and strengthens our case for cross-sector working. We share this award with all the teachers who utilise the programme with their children, the creatives who have contributed to the programme and the key funding partners like North East Combined Authority and Kavli Trust, who have helped this programme reach tens of thousands of children so far.” Alongside the digital programme, MELVA has recently expanded its offer with the release of a brand-new adventure book, Melva Mapletree and the Great Undoing. Described by acclaimed author David Almond as “well written, moving, humorous, emotionally honest,” the book follows the beloved character Melva as she navigates the highs and lows of growing up. While the novel sits within the wider MELVA schools programme, it is also available to the public and can be enjoyed by young people aged 8–13, offering families an accessible and meaningful way to explore mental health themes at home. The book is available to purchase via Amazon. With its national accolade and expanding educational offer, Mortal Fools continues to lead the way in creative, child-centred, early intervention and prevention approaches to mental health education—supporting the wellbeing of young people across the North East.
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A new brave, funny and unforgettable adventure book following the story of a 12 year old tackling big changes and feelings is set to delight children and adults alike this winter. Melva Mapletree and the Great Undoing is a new children’s book created by creative learning charity Mortal Fools, in collaboration with North East creatives including children’s writer and theatre maker Danielle Slade and illustrator Lily Mae Kroese, as well as story development support and resources from Kalmer Counselling. The story follows Melva Mapletree, who turns twelve only to be confronted by the chaos of growing up - from unexpected changes in her body to explosive mood swings and more. She navigates these changes with those around her, including her best friend Barnabus, her Grandpa Pebble, and even her annoying teachers. As well as being a comforting and entertaining read for children aged 8-13 - and their parents, teachers and carers - the story shines a light on important topics like anxiety, self-image and fitting in, dealing with change, grief, loss and self-harming behaviours, all explored with humour, warmth and sensitivity. Acclaimed author David Almond described the book as “Well written, moving, humorous [and] emotionally honest.” The North East-born writer of award-winning children’s fantasy novel Skellig added: “Many children will immediately relate to Melva and her world. I really enjoyed reading this book!”. Melva Mapletree and the Great Undoing, which is now available to buy from Amazon, is also available as part of Mortal Fools’ wider MELVA school's programme - an innovative digital media intervention designed to improve children’s knowledge and understanding of mental health and wellbeing. Kiz Crosbie, Mortal Fools CEO & Artistic Director, commented: “This book is dramatic and entertaining, while also covering some important themes and topics that can sometimes be difficult to talk about. “Co-creating it alongside inspiring artists has been a true highlight of my career; I've laughed, I've cried and I've felt triumphant, as we've crafted this very special book. I hope our readers enjoy it half as much as we have enjoyed making it.” The team developed Melva Mapletree and the Great Undoing through feedback from hundreds of children, teachers and parents during its creation. Children’s writer and theatre maker Danielle Slade said: “I believe every young person should read this book. It’s Melva Mapletree’s coming-of-age story - one of self-discovery, testing boundaries, and unearthing parts of her past that help her understand who she truly is. “It’s been created with North East young people; their worries, thoughts, feelings and wellbeing struggles helped shape the book and our characters. Young readers will recognise themselves in the book, whilst also finding joy, laughter, and a much-needed escape in Melva’s special world.” Illustrator Lily Mae Kroese added: “It’s been a joy to illustrate Melva Mapletree and the Great Undoing. Children and young people's emotions are important, and I hope that capturing these big feelings in illustrations helps validate, celebrate and support them. I hope our readers love the story, the illustrations and the world we’ve built together.” Melva Mapletree and the Great Undoing is now on sale priced at £9.99 - to learn more about the book, go to https://www.amazon.co.uk/Melva-Mapletree-Great-Undoing-Mortal/dp/1919206604/. |
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