ALBION and The Kaleidoscope Plus Group are calling on youngsters to design a mascot to help tackle the stigma attached to mental ill health.
The Baggies have teamed up with their close friends Kaleidoscope, a leading mental health and wellbeing charity, to help promote their competition, having worked closely with the Halfords Lane neighbours for a number of years.
Established in 1973, The Kaleidoscope Plus Group offers a network of provision including counselling, independent living support, mental health training, residential care, and wellbeing activities for children, young people and adults.
The West Bromwich-based charity, which supports more than 9,000 people a year, are calling on all children and young people up to the age of 16 to design a mascot which will help them to promote positive health and wellbeing.
The Kaleidoscope Plus Group Chief Executive Monica Shafaq said: “We felt it was time that we had our very own mascot to represent all that we are and all that we do, but importantly to also help eliminate the stigma of mental ill health.
“Getting children and young people to talk about mental illness from a young age helps to normalise the subject and make it less of a taboo.
“Art can also be used as a therapeutic tool, so what better way than to combine all of these issues.
“So we’re looking for a bright spark to bring our vision to life and design a unique mascot for us. We’re looking for creative designs - so think colourful, think big and think outside the box!
“I’m really grateful for the support from our friends at WBA in promoting this with us.”
All entries will be judged by a panel from the charity and the winner will have their design brought to life and created as Kaleidoscope's official mascot.
The lucky winner will also get to meet their mascot masterpiece as well as receive two tickets to an Albion home game and a tour of the stadium.
All entries must be emailed to competitions@kaleidoscopeplus.org.uk or posted to: The Kaleidoscope Plus Group, Mascot Competition, 1st Floor, Hawthorn House, Halfords Lane, West Bromwich, B66 1BB.
Entries close on Monday, April 16 at 5pm.
Good luck!
*Photograph courtesy of Express & Star