Cornwall Schools’ Wellbeing Hub Newsletter 2nd May 2025
Friday 2nd May 2025
Welcome to the Wellbeing Newsletter
It’s May already! That means it is world Mental Health Awareness month with Mental Awareness Week here in the UK from 12th – 18th May.
The theme is The Power of Community (See the news / resources section below for some ideas / links)
“umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu”
“a person is a person because of or through other people”.
AI doesn’t seem the obvious thing to bring to mind when thinking about Community. I am still exploring AI and AI tools and still at the stage of adding ‘may I…’, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ to prompts even though I know I’m interacting with a ‘machine’ that has a chatty, faux friendly personality and can’t really be trusted as it can return inaccurate responses (and my current favourite example – making up academic references)
A recent request about the concepts of ‘Whakapapa’ and ‘Ubuntu’ threw me somewhat when the response included:
“I genuinely find the shared wisdom across different cultures regarding human connection to be quite beautiful. It's heartening to see these common threads that speak to something so fundamental about our shared human experience”.
Yes, I know it is probably a phrase taken from a website or article somewhere but I found it strangely moving.
Whakapapa and Ubuntu and are perfect concepts to think about in the context of ‘The Power of Community’ and you can read more about them here.
Creating a sense of belonging / community is underpinned by felt safety, connection / relational practice and essential to improve attendance and attainment and close the disadvantage gap.
A small contribution is our Free 2 Day Protective Behaviours Foundation Training. There are two more face to face sessions this term and a short introduction to PBs is available on demand.
Calling All Primary Schools
Start Now Website Workshop for Y5/6 (post SATS of course).
The Start Now website created by young people in Cornwall is undergoing a refresh and we’re splitting it into two sites. One aimed at 10 – 13 and the other 13 – 16.
We’d love the opportunity to spend time with some Y5/6 pupils exploring the existing site and getting their thoughts on new designs / content ideas for the 10 – 13. Pupils will have an opportunity to work with HSK in the first instance and with Kat and Mat our web designers to make a real difference to the website when it is launched.
We have a new chatbot (created by YP working with Tech Cornwall) to test out and design ideas to consider.
- We’ll bring some fun, simple wellbeing activities with us
- There are gift vouchers for participating groups and freebies to share as well
To find out more contact us
Exams, SATS and Transition support
Find advice and information for YP from YP on both exams season (including SATS) and transition via the Start Now website.
Head to our website to order Transition Mission booklets (free)
The ELSA support website has lots of transition resources including the free The CALM Approach SATs booklet
You can download a free SATS Survival Plan from Be Happy Resources.
The Brilliant ME! Guide to Anxiety Booklet for parents and carers has just landed from the printers. Schools / professionals can order free copies from us via the resource order page on the website and parents can request free copies directly or get them from their local library.
There is an accompanying booklet for school staff with additional information and resources (order from the resources page).
Don’t forget you can now access this and previous newsletters on the website
Wellbeing Training with Headstart Kernow
Have you joined the Headstart Kernow Creative Education membership yet?
Sign up here: www.headstartkernow.org.uk/creative-education/
Download our updated Creative Education membership information fliers with access links for:
External organisations - training coming up.
Thrive UK
From red pill to 80/20: decoding Netflix’s Adolescence to support mental health in education
Now available as a free on-demand recording with a free guide:
Increasingly young people are being exposed to harmful online narratives around masculinity, relationships and self-worth. From incel culture and the manosphere to red pill ideology, these digital spaces can shape how boys see themselves and interact with others - sometimes with devastating consequences.
As educators, how can we spot the warning signs? How do we create safe spaces for young people to talk about these issues? And how can we equip them with the tools to develop a healthy sense of identity and belonging?
On-demand webinar: Overwhelm-busters for the young person’s toolkit.
Exam season is just around the corner, and with an increasing focus on attainment, the pressure to succeed can be daunting for pupils and educators alike. In ‘SaveMyExams’ 2024 survey, 85% of pupils said they experienced exam anxiety and 1 in 4 said it was nearly unbearable. While it’s natural for young people to have some nerves about exams, it’s important to take steps to ensure the stress doesn’t take a serious toll on their wellbeing and performance.
Barnardo’s: Layered Learning CPD Package
Emotionally Based School Avoidance – 3 x 3hr CPD sessions
Tuesday 13th May 2025 1:00pm - 4:00pm – Introducing EBSA
Thursday 15th May 2025 9:30am - 12:30pm - Reflection session
Friday 13th June 2025 9:30am - 12:30pm - Resources and sign posting.
Find out more about this and other sessions available including staff wellbeing.
In this 45-minute webinar, Thrive’s Head of Product and Innovation, Viv Trask-Hall, dives into the science behind stress and shares practical strategies that pupils can use when overwhelm creeps in.
Dr Lisa Cherry (TICS) Circles and Threads; Trauma Informed Record Keeping
1st July 2025 (online). Cost involved.
For foster carers, social workers and those in education responsible for writing records.
It is an insightful, interactive, connection space. Using a trauma informed lens, we'll explore how records have the capacity to heal the reader long after their time in care.
News / Resources / Updates
Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the theme for 2025 is ‘The Power of Community’.
Being part of a safe and positive community is essential for our mental health and wellbeing. We flourish when we’re connected to others and surrounded by supportive communities that remind us we’re not alone.
Experiencing connection to each other and the world around us increases our wellbeing and sense of belonging.
The school community is a brilliant place to celebrate and support the theme and focus is on the wellbeing of everyone – pupils, teachers, support staff, leaders and families.
The EIKON Charity has some excellent resources to support.
Community is at the heart of the May Action for Happiness Wellbeing Calendar- Meaningful May
Creative Education – free staff wellbeing tool
It’s a short, no-sign-up staff survey that helps you understand how your team are really feeling — and where to focus your support.
The survey tool will give you a simple summary of the results to share with your leadership team — or just reflect on quietly.
Education Support – Staff Wellbeing Toolkits and Resources
Download a FREE PACK of wellbeing resources and guidance for staff
Whilst it’s just still May a reminder of some excellent resources for school staff – useful anytime.
Webinar: Navigating misogyny and polarised views: supporting staff wellbeing in the classroom
Wednesday 7 May 4-5pm
Education Support and Beyond Equality have partnered to provide a space for teachers and education staff to explore the challenges of navigating misogynistic behaviours and attitudes in schools, particularly in the context incel culture and misogynistic extremism.
Beacon Family Services lumin&us App – for parents and carers (NHS Approved)
Family mental health and wellbeing support in the palm of your hand.
lumin&us® supports parents and carers of 3- to 12-year-olds who:
- would like to provide their children with lifelong tools and strategies for good mental health and wellbeing.
- are looking for ways to deepen and strengthen relationships with their children.
- worried they’re not being the kind of parent they’d like to be.
- feel stressed, anxious or overwhelmed by parenting.
- are worried about their children’s mental health or anxiety.
- are struggling to make sense of their children’s behaviours.
- have adopted or fostered children.
- have suffered a loss, such as separation, divorce or a bereavement.
- are awaiting support, a diagnosis of neurodivergence or an educational health care plan (EHCP)
lumin&us is available for free on Google Play / Apple (with a premium option) and currently the premium version of the app is on offer to parents and carers / professionals FREE for up to 12 months as part of a trial with Birmingham University.
Happy Maps UK website
A quick reminder of one of our favourite websites / wellbeing directories about wellbeing for parents and carers / children and young people and professionals. It’s just had a makeover with a new A-Z listing of topics for easier navigation.
Be Happy Resources – free weekly downloads (always worth checking out)
My Anger Volcano is a visual, child-friendly anger management tool that helps children and teens explore the triggers and emotions that fuel their anger and the behaviours that erupt when it overflows. With its calming design and simple prompts, this multi-use, one-page printable encourages self-awareness, healthy expression, and emotional growth, making it the perfect resource for any emotional well-being toolkit.
Some other excellent free Social and Emotional Learning resources can be found on some of our very favourite websites:
Whole Hearted School Counseling – brilliant blogs, fab freebies and low cost resources that worth purchasing
Again, lots to love with a terrific bank of free downloads and low-cost resources
Kidscape turns 40!
Kidscape are launching a year long campaign Forty Year of Hope and Help including sharing 40 stories over the year.
: Listening – Small Shifts That Make a Big Difference by Pooky Knightsmith
Another excellent resource created by Pooky Knightsmith and freely shared as ever.
Good listening isn’t just about hearing words—it’s about making people feel seen, valued, and understood. When we listen well, we build trust, reduce misunderstandings, and create a culture where everyone feels safe to communicate.
This resource explores small but powerful shifts that can make a big impact, including:
- Creating space for listening – How to set the stage for meaningful conversations.
- Showing you’re really listening – Practical strategies like using silence, reflecting back, and asking open-ended questions.
- Listening beyond words – Tuning into behaviour, body language, and non-verbal communication.
- Reinforcing that you heard – Simple follow-ups that build trust and connection.
- It also includes quick wins you can use today and a one small challenge to help you start putting these ideas into action straight away.
Young Minds Update
Getting young people through exam season
Exam season always comes around so quickly, doesn’t it? This is undoubtedly one of the most stressful, nerve-wracking times in a young person’s life – especially if it’s their first experience of sitting exams.
We know it’s difficult for you as well. Knowing how to support young people during this time can feel confusing and overwhelming. Here are some activities you could use to help a young person in your life get through exam time in one piece.
Stress bucket activity – help young people identify what exactly is causing them stress and the things they can do to reduce it.
Mindfulness activities – help young people calm their heightened emotions and cope with anxiety.
For more tips and advice on managing exam time, check out our guides for parents/carers and professionals.
New guides for parents and carers: how to talk about mental health with young people and professionals.
Our guides are created in partnership with parents and carers who have lived experience of supporting their child through mental health struggles. These new guides are no different. They’ll walk you through how to start a conversation with your child about their mental health and how to prepare for a meeting with GPs, CAMHS or other professionals.
Digital Resilience Tools and Resources
As part of our overall website refresh, we have updated / improved the digital resilience tools / resources and added some new ones. There are tools for professional, parents and carers and young people themselves. Recent additions include:
- SEND Digital Resilience Guidance
- Was that, OK? tool for young people.
- Podcast Series for young people
Explore these and all the digital resilience resources
Empathy Lab – Reading for Empathy Collection 2025
Jump into someone else's story with a diverse collection of empathy-rich texts, from picture books to non-fiction to graphic novels, written and illustrated by leading authors and illustrators. The 2025 collection is a fantastic resource to help grow an empathy-educated generation…
Primary Collection (pdf)
Secondary Collection (pdf)
Register Now for the Empathy Day Festival 2nd – 12th June 2025
And access some excellent, FREE, empathy resources.
VapeANON
VapeANON.com lets young people share information about shops selling vapes to children - and it’s entirely anonymous.
Created by Cornwall Council Trading Standards in response to concerns raised by young people at our Children’s Rights Annual Conversation, VapeANON enables young people to pass on information anonymously to Cornwall’s Trading Standards team about shops that are breaking the law by selling vapes to under 18s.
One of the young people who took part in the Annual Conversation said:
“Whilst working with other young people to create an action plan to address the issue of young people vaping at the Annual Conversation we all discovered that most of us knew at least one person who had bought a vape illegally. We all felt like something had to be done to prevent more young people accessing vapes so I’m very proud that Trading Standards listened to the concerns of the young people and are working to combat this issue."
Have you visited our new www.headstartkernow.org.uk website yet?
We are delighted to let you know that our refreshed and redesigned website went live recently. We made it simpler to find what you need as professionals supporting children and families need as well adding a new, more prominent area for parents and carers.