The Waiting Room (TWR) is a health and wellbeing directory specifically dedicated for the people of Birmingham and Solihull. A resource which provides links to key national organisations and support agencies, allowing individuals to take control of their own health and wellbeing.

There is also now an app that you can download to utilise this information. Visit The Waiting Room here.

The Start Building Resilience Package is free for families to access and includes:

• Access to a 2-hour video aimed at equipping adults and teenagers with resilience building skills (this can be watched in small sections).
• Access to an e-book per relevant age group:

1. Start building resilience for adults and teenagers.
2. Start building resilience for children.
3. Start building resilience for young children.

This programme will support young people to better manage their feelings. develop more helpful thinking and learn about a healthy lifestyle.

To access this package, families will need to email Friends4Families@birmingham.gov.uk with their child’s name and school. In response, they will receive a standard email containing an access code to the relevant age appropriate e-book and instructions of how to log onto the website.

The FRIENDS RESILIENCE SKILLS have been endorsed by the World Health Organisation as best practice for the prevention of anxiety and depression.

Our books and resources have developmentally appropriate techniques for different age groups, from young children to adults. The Friends Resilience Skills are updated regularly to integrate innovative, state of the art concepts and techniques, proved effective by published, peer reviewed research.

It’s normal to feel anxious or worried about the current situation. You have a lot of people around you who you can talk to and share your thoughts with, including your teachers and Pastoral Managers at School. We’re all in this together and can help each other. There are also loads of sites online with useful information you can read such as Young Minds.

Stay connected with family and friends. You may not be able to see each other in person, but you can make phone calls, video calls, and send messages to each other.

It’s important to look after our physical health as well as our mental health. Your physical health can affect how you feel and your mood. Try to stay active to keep physically healthy as well as mentally. It can also help reduce levels of stress and anxiety.

Get involved with our ‘UoBS Sports Sanctuary’ and get active with the PE Team! The Sports Sanctuary offers a space for pupils to join others and play sports outdoors. What are the benefits of taking part…

• Relieve stress.
• Get active and have fun whilst doing so!
• Discover new sports and activities.
• Connect and socialise with your friends.
• Improve your health and wellbeing. Getting physically active can have a positive impact on your mental health too.

Join the Movement

An initiative from Sport England to get you active in and around the comfort of your own home! On this website you’ll find information and ideas on how to look after your general fitness (including mental health wellbeing, fitness for older adults and fitness for those managing disability or long-term health conditions). Join the movement here and get active at home.

• Reading books and/or listening to audiobooks can help you relax and boost your mood.
• Help you multi task and get things done whilst listening to an audiobook. Whether it’s cleaning or exercising – it can make it more enjoyable.
• Create a sense of community – you can listen and/or read books with family and friends at the same time – no matter where you are. It can be a great activity to take part in together. Read more about the benefits of reading aloud.
• Check out our new UoB School Library webpage for more bookish content!

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the mental state of being aware of your feelings and accepting experiences. It can help people to relax, reduce stress levels and refocus the mind.

You can practise mindfulness in many ways, for example…

• Mindful walking – when going for a walk outdoors, concentrate on the environment around you, the sights, the sounds and feelings of each step (enjoy outdoor activities in line with government lockdown guidelines).
• Mindful art – focus on colouring and drawing patterns or doodles.
• Mindful 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 – 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, 1 thing you can taste.

Useful links and support for our parents/carers and families.

Informations & updates from the School for parents/carers re: Covid-19.

UoB School Home Online Learning Guides.

Young Minds Parents Helpline – Call 0808 802 5544.

Anna Freud – Includes guidance and practical tools to support children’s mental health during the coronavirus pandemic.

Mental Health resources for parents/carers and school staff.

Mind – Advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

Parent Info – Help and advice for families in a digital world.

National Online Safety – What parents need to know about online safety.