Mental Health & Wellbeing
Miss Chamberlain is our Mental Health & Wellbeing leader.
The situation we are in will be unsettling for most children and adults, we are all so used to routine and our ‘normal’ life.
Please take time for your whole family to relax, enjoy the sunshine, create junk models, go outside on a nature hunt (while sticking to social distancing rules!), paint, read and being able to do things you enjoy together…time will go by and before we 
know it we will be back to rushing around and not having as much time for these lovely things.
I have attached a few suggestions below if your child is feeing anxious about the new situation, we are in.
Social Stories
From ELSA support. An excellent resource for younger children, or those with additional needs, about coronavirus using a social stories format. It will help young people or those with additional needs to understand the troubling situation.
https://www.elsa-support.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Childrens-story-about-coronavirus.pdf#
A social story for slightly older children, which was designed for children with autism, you will need to register on the website, which is free to do.
Book
The Colour Monster by Anna Llenas. A book aimed at 4 to 8-year-olds,
which can be used to explore young children’s feelings. A pop-up version and a colour monster activity book are also available. From libraries or Amazon (£5.35 new)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anna-Llenas/e/B00OA36KZC/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
Podcast
Peace Out, Short stories that help children calm down and relax.
Webpage
Jigsaw are sharing this link which provide the stories (audio files) and the Calm Me times (audio files) from two of the sessions. These stories align with the Jigsaw PSHE Dreams and Goals and Healthy Me Puzzles and are suitable for children aged 5+.
https://families.jigsawpshe.com/stuck-at-home/ Password: home
App
Chill Panda is an app that helps children learn to relax and manage their worries. The app suggests simple tasks to suit your state of mind, such as breathing techniques and light exercise.
It can be downloaded from the App Store for free https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/chill-panda-calm-your mind/id1184256407
or from Google play https://play.google.com/store/apps/detailsid=com.onteca.panda&hl=en_GB
Book
Potter’s Boy by Tony Milton. Book aimed at 9 to 12-year-olds a story of a boy who wants to be a warrior but has an underlying theme of mindfulness. Available from libraries or Amazon (£4)
I hope you are all ok and remember to all take time for your own wellbeing; keep active, learn something new, connect with people, give support and take notice.
Miss Chamberlain
Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader
Wellbeing Award
From now until March 2020 a Change Team will be working towards achieving a Wellbeing award for both of our schools. The aim of the award is to promote positive social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and wellness for pupils and staff in our schools.
The Change Team members are; Mrs Spencer, Miss Chamberlain, Mrs Vallis, Miss Alder, Mrs Wild, Mrs Mangham, Mrs James, Mrs Stewart and Mrs Hyland.
Thank you to all pupils, parents and staff who completed our questionnaire to enable us to begin the award process by writing an action plan.
Thank you to the parents who have joined our focus group to assist us in ensuring the actions are rolled out to the whole school community and have had another opportunity to be part of the process.
If you have any feedback or suggestions then please feel free to talk to any member of the Change Team.
Below are some links to key Mental Health and Wellbeing organisations offering professional and confidential help if you do not wish to talk to someone in school:
