A TEACHING assistant who works “tirelessly” to support pupils has won the Wellbeing Award at the Leader Education Awards 2024.

Helen Jones, who works at Ysgol Plas Coch in Wrexham scooped the prize at the awards evening at the Village Hotel, St David’s on March 14.

The award recognises the outstanding work being done to promote mental health and wellbeing in schools, college, training settings or university.

Helen is part of the intervention team at Ysgol Plas Coch having worked there for over a decade.

During this time, she has built a good rapport not only with the pupils but with their parents also. She works with children that may struggle even getting through the school gates on a temporary or a more long-term basis.

She also works with children using the "drawing and talking" method.

Helen is a huge advocate for mental health wellbeing and is an absolute asset to Ysgol Plas Coch.

She works “tirelessly” to support children that require support, from drawing and talking sessions, to one to one time with children at the school.

Speaking after winning the award, Helen said: “I’m overwhelmed.

“This is for all my work colleagues, it really is. I’m just a person people can come and talk to as we strive to help the children.

“It’s great we’ve got thing in school to help and support the children who could struggle to come to school.

“Whatever I’m doing, I’m doing it to the best of my abilities and perhaps that’s what helped me win this tonight.”

Also nominated for the Wellbeing award were Ysgol Maes y Felin, Holywell and Wrexham Glyndwr Students Union.

Don't miss our souvenir supplement in this Thursday, March 28 Leader.