Cabinet Members Visit Prana to Explore New Wellbeing Centre Plans
Midlothian Council’s Leader Kelly Parry, Depute Leader Councillor Colin Cassidy and Provost Debbi McCall recently visited Prana BJJ Academy in Mayfield to learn more about its plans to develop its social enterprise wellbeing centre.
Works closely with council services
Founded by John Kennedy and Craig Ali (pictured far left and far right of first picture), Prana is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and martial arts academy for children and adults that already works closely with council services, including Active Schools and is linking with the council's Communities and Lifelong Learning's Croft Street Hub (CSH) in the new year to design a martial arts and wellbeing course for their young people.
Support for young people
Prana currently delivers martial arts and mindfulness sessions for young people, helping build confidence, discipline, and focus. Many participants now help with classes, and some training is subsidised through partnerships with charities such as Enable. The academy also works with neurodiverse children and families, creating a structured, respectful environment.
Expanding its services
Midlothian Council’s economic development and Business Gateway teams recently supported John and Craig to set up the new wellbeing centre as a social enterprise and access funding. The centre aims to expand services by introducing counselling, psychotherapy, and other holistic treatments. Councillors praised Prana’s impact and encouraged the team to broaden its reach, including supporting teenagers involved in anti-social behaviour.
Social enterprise
Councillor Cassidy said: “It’s been fantastic to hear more about how the team here can be training and working with three generations of one family. I’ve been blown away by what they are already achieving and thinking how great it would be if, for example, we got them involved somehow with more disengaged young people.”
More information
Note:
Croft Street Hub works with school refusers to encourage positive outcomes.