Building Connections Through Code: How Our Coding Community Supports Mental Health

Monday the 12th marked the start of this year's Mental Health Awareness Week. This year's theme centres around Community and its power and importance in creating positive mental health. Here at Th Code Zone, we do more than just help children to learn how to code - we foster a growing community of young coders and gamers who are eager to get into computing and technology as well as find likeminded individuals. We believe that by harbouring this community we are improving not only the knowledge of our members but also supporting their mental health. 

So how does our coding community make a positive impact on mental health?

Social Support
Finding a community provides the opportunity for conversation and friendships. Being able to have access to a network of different people can provide not only emotional support during hard times but helps reduce loneliness and isolation which is a big contributor to poor mental health. Many of our members have found friends for life through their shared love of coding and technology - in our clubs we encourage support amongst members and share in our successes as well as help with any challenges that may come. In addition, our mentors are in regular contact with parents through phone, messages and emails so not only are our young members have a supportive mentor, but their parents also have another shoulder to lean on when it comes to their children's growth and learning. 

Resources
Being a part of a community provides individuals with a variety of different resources; from different view points and ideas to support groups and mentoring. A community is a place to learn and try new things with the support of others around you. Our clubs provide the safety net children need to explore new things when it comes to technology - they have the watchful and supportive eye of their mentor who can guide and demonstrate new skills, whilst also having a team of young coders cheering them on. Plus our mentors are a fountain of information - not only are they experts in coding and technology, they are also experts in life! We have a plethora of recommendations we are happy to give to parents and members from child-friendly video games to physical coding gadgets. 

Acceptance
Communities are made up of like-minded people with similar interests. This becomes a space where you can be who you are and accepted - which leads to a better self esteem and a sense of confidence which are amazing for mental health. All our of members come from different backgrounds, ages and families but we all have a common goal - learning how to code! No matter a member's ability, age or identity, everyone is here to have fun, code and make friends. All of our mentors also come from different walks of life and have all gone through extensive neuro-divergent training in order to help all and any of our members feel seen and accepted. Through our talented mentors, we support each and every one of our members through their coding learning and personal growth.

Want to learn more about our clubs and community? 
Get in touch with one of our STEM-Certified Mentors to have a FREE taster session so you can have some fun, learn some code and be apart of a community. We'll see you there!