Health & Wellbeing at UoB School
Being well together…
All of us can feel overwhelmed at times, especially with the current situation we’re in. Looking after ourselves physically can not only benefit our bodies and make us healthier, it can also have a great impact upon our mental wellbeing.
On this page we will share ways in which we can all stay active and healthy, especially when we’re spending more time indoors than usual.
If you need to talk to someone at school, contact your Pupil Pastoral Manager.
It’s good to talk
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 Pupil 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.
Youth Mental Health Ambassador, Dr Alex George has shared his ‘top five tips’ for young people’s good mental health and wellbeing.
Stay active
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 ‘Health & Wellbeing Club’ and join in our first PE Challenge! The goal is to achieve 100KM by the end of February, with everyone running or walking a small distance to help us get there!
Join the club and start contributing your distances today!
Enrichment at home…
Take the opportunity to explore new hobbies or interests, or develop your existing ones. It’s important to keep your mind active and it’s a great time to learn new things. It can be quite relaxing too. See it as enrichment at home – Ms Lundy would be proud!
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 listening to audiobooks
- 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.
- Our staff have been reading books and sharing them online. Click here to listen to our selection of audiobooks.
- Check out our new UoB School Library webpage for more bookish content!
Practise Mindfulness
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.
Staying safe online…
Whilst we are all utilising online learning more and more, it is important to stay safe whilst using the internet. Support to keep you and your family safe online can be found here:
UK Safer Internet Centre – Keeping you happy and safe online during Covid-19.
ThinkYouKnow – advice on staying safe when you’re on a phone, tablet or computer.
A bit of good news…
How lockdown led to a music studio for young people experiencing homelessness – Positive.News
The Pandemic of Good News: The Top 50 Positive Stories of 2020 – Good News Network
Hikers brave miles of icy mountain trails after rescuing dog that was stranded for two weeks – Good News Network
Useful Websites & Links
Young Minds – A platform for young people to find the support they need for mental health and provides information on Covid-19 and lockdown.
Mind – Advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
The Mix – Information and support for under 25s in the UK about relationships, drugs, mental health, money, jobs.
PAUSE – A Birmingham based service for pupils and parents.
Childline – Get help and advice about a wide range of issues.
Kooth – Your online mental wellbeing community.
Useful Documents to download
The Teen Guide to Surviving Lockdown & Beyond – Tools, activities and practices to help you manage social distancing and stay positive during coronavirus lockdown and beyond.
Winter Wellbeing – A guide for staying well at home during the colder, darker months – full of information, ideas and activities for pupils to take part in.
Let’s start an epidemic of happiness! – A mental wellbeing toolkit and digital guidebook created by Happy Space UK (mental wellbeing charity) for you and your family.
Parent/Carer Corner
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.
