Cornwall Schools’ Wellbeing Hub Newsletter 2nd October 2026
Friday 2nd October 2026
Welcome to the Wellbeing Newsletter
Find out more about the Cornwall Schools’ Wellbeing Hub and the support / resources / tools available to support “a Whole School, trauma informed, relational Approach to Wellbeing that is ‘Everybody’s Business’".
Welcome
As we head into October and the first half-term of the academic year begins to appear on the horizon, we're delighted to bring you another collection of training opportunities, resources, events and updates to support the wellbeing of children, young people, families and the professionals who work alongside them.
This edition includes exciting new resources from HeadStart Kernow, opportunities to strengthen inclusion and belonging in schools, support for online safety and youth vaping prevention, October half-term activities for families, and a range of wellbeing-focused training and events.
As always, thank you for everything you do to support children, young people and their families across Cornwall. We hope you find something useful to share with colleagues, parents, carers and young people in your communities.
Action for Happiness – wellbeing Calendar: ‘Optimistic October’.
Is optimism in short supply at the moment?
With so much uncertainty in the news, and many families feeling the pressure of rising prices and financial worries, it's completely understandable that staying positive can sometimes feel like a challenge. Our children and young people often notice more than we realise. They can pick up on our worries, even when we think we're hiding them.
This October, Action for Happiness is encouraging us to think about Optimistic October. For us, that doesn't mean pretending that everything is OK or putting on a smile when things feel difficult. It's about finding realistic reasons to hope, noticing the things we can influence, and remembering that difficult moments do not last forever.
At HeadStart Kernow, we know that building wellbeing isn't about being happy all the time. It's about helping children understand their feelings, recognise their strengths and develop the confidence to take small positive steps, even when life feels a little uncertain.
If your child or young person is picking up on worries around them, it can help to create space for them to talk. You don't need to have all the answers. Sometimes simply listening, acknowledging how they feel and reminding them that they are supported can make a real difference.
So, this October, perhaps we can all look for the little things that give us hope: a conversation that makes us smile, time spent together, something we're proud of, a kind act, or simply noticing one good thing in an otherwise difficult day.
Because optimism isn't about expecting everything to be perfect.
It's about believing that things can get better, and helping our children believe that too.
"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'"
Fred Rogers
Helpful Resources
Fred Rogers Institute
Talking with children about difficult things and helping them feel safe and supported during times of uncertainty.
https://www.fredrogersinstitute.org/talking-with-children-about
YoungMinds
Advice for parents and carers supporting children and young people who are worried by the news and events happening around the world.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk
UNICEF
Guidance on how to talk to children about conflict and war in an honest, age-appropriate and reassuring way.
https://www.unicef.org/parenting
GOV.UK
Information on climate change and the mental health of children and young people.
https://www.gov.uk
UNICEF Parenting
Practical advice for supporting children and young people experiencing climate anxiety and worries about the future.
https://www.unicef.org/parenting
Wellbeing Book of the Week
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig. Illustrated by Patrice Barton
A simple act of kindness can transform an invisible boy into a friend…
Meet Brian, the invisible boy. Nobody ever seems to notice him or think to include him in their group, game, or birthday party... until, that is, a new kid comes to class.
When Justin, the new boy, arrives, Brian is the first to make him feel welcome. And when Brian and Justin team up to work on a class project together, Brian finds a way to shine.
This gentle story shows how small acts of kindness can help children feel included and allow them to flourish.
Our thoughts
We came across this via the wonderful SEAL Community website run by Jean Gross alongside some teaching activities / ideas that can help make this a perfect resource for exploring belonging and inclusion.
On its own it is a lovely picture book with clever illustrations (black and white for Brian, alongside his colourful classmates and some terrific examples of Brian’s own artwork). It is a gentle story with lots to explore with children (there are some suggested discussion points at the back – useful for the classroom or at home) and a very perceptive take on why / how Brian appears invisible in the classroom and beyond.
This week's Headstart highlights
Hold the date
Brilliant Me in Action! An introduction
Webinar 16.00 - 17.30
22nd October OR 3rd November
A webinar introducing Brilliant Me in Action and the free resources behind it.
Schools are navigating significant change, alongside growing and increasingly complex needs around belonging, attendance, inclusion, wellbeing, RSHE and Oracy.
But schools don’t need another initiative. They need flexible, practical resources that can respond to where they are now and build from there.
Brilliant Me in Action! offers just that.
In the webinar, we’ll introduce the Brilliant Me approach centred around Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and explore how the resources can support schools to:
- strengthen belonging and connection
- support attendance and engagement
- develop inclusive practice
- build Oracy and communication
- nurture wellbeing and positive relationships
- support RSHE and respond to the particular needs, priorities and context of your school
There is no one-size-fits-all starting point. Brilliant Me is intended to meet schools where they’re at - whether you are beginning to explore these areas, building on existing work, or looking for ways to bring different priorities together.
Other Exciting FREE Headstart Training Opportunities
SPACE - Supporting Parents and Children Emotionally
1 December - 3 December 2026 Online
Following the 3-day course with our partners at Rock Pool CIC, facilitators are equipped to deliver a five-week SPACE programme for parents and carers and/or children and young people within their own settings, helping to strengthen relationships, connections and emotional wellbeing across the school community. Please see the attached for more information.
Spaces are limited, therefore if you would like to register your interest, please do so as soon as you can by emailing space@cornwall.gov.uk
Creative Education online platforms for schools and parents and carers.
A quick reminder to all users that the Headstart Kernow free access to the platforms for schools and parents and carers will finish on 31st October 2026 as originally planned
We have enjoyed a super relationship with Creative Ed since it was first set up in 2020 and we are sad not to be able to continue to support access for our schools / families.
If you are currently accessing the platform and would like to explore continued access please contact sophie.beresford@creativeeducation.co.uk who will be happy to help.
Active Cornwall
New Physical Activity Health Hub Launches
Looking for trusted information on physical activity, health and wellbeing? Active Cornwall has launched its new Physical Activity Health Hub, bringing together evidence-based guidance, practical self-help tools and local opportunities to help people become more active and improve their health and wellbeing.
Designed with input from health professionals and local communities, the Hub makes it easier for residents, families, community organisations and professionals to access reliable information and support, particularly for those facing barriers to physical activity. Whether you're looking for advice, resources or local opportunities to get moving, the Hub is a great place to start.
Explore the Physical Activity Health Hub: https://www.activecornwall.org/physical-activity-health-hub/
Read more about the project: https://www.activecornwall.org/the-new-physical-activity-health-hub-has-launched/
A useful resource for schools, families and professionals looking to support healthier, more active lifestyles across Cornwall.
BrainWaves
Free Lesson: Staying Safe from Harm Online (Ages 11-14)
Helping young people navigate the online world can feel more important than ever. BrainWaves has developed a free, ready-to-teach lesson exploring how to stay safe from harm online, designed for students aged 11-14. The lesson helps young people understand online risks, recognise harmful content, build digital resilience and learn practical strategies to respond safely to challenging online experiences.
Part of the wider Wellbeing in a Digital World curriculum, the resource is evidence-informed, easy to use and ideal for PSHE, wellbeing and safeguarding lessons. It also includes teacher notes and supporting research guides.
YoungMinds Hello Yellow 2026 - World Mental Health Day
Friday, 9 October 2026
Schools, organisations and communities are invited to take part in Hello Yellow, YoungMinds' annual fundraising campaign for young people's mental health. To mark World Mental Health Day, participants are encouraged to wear yellow, start conversations about mental health and raise funds to ensure young people can access support when they need it. This year marks 10 years of the Hello Yellow campaign.
Schools can sign up to access fundraising ideas, campaign resources, posters and activities to help make their Hello Yellow event a success.
Pooky Knightsmith
Executive Function at School - Practical Strategies for Supporting Learners
Thursday 22 October 2026, 4.00pm to 5.00pm (Online)
Join Dr Pooky Knightsmith for this practical webinar exploring executive function and how it impacts children who struggle to get started, remember instructions, organise tasks or complete work. Ideal for teachers, teaching assistants, SENCOs and school leaders, the session will share simple, classroom-ready strategies that can make an immediate difference for neurodivergent learners and many others. Attendees will also receive the recording, slides, companion notes and a CPD certificate.
Cost: £20 per person (free for paid Patreon supporters). A school licence is also available for £100, allowing the recording to be shared across the school community.
Time2Move Holiday Programme
Looking for October Half-Term Activities?
The Time2Move Holiday Programme is returning this October half term with a fantastic range of activities for children and young people aged 5 to 16 across Cornwall. From sports and outdoor adventures to creative workshops, games and group activities, there's plenty on offer to keep children active, engaged and having fun during the school break.
Funded places are available for eligible children receiving benefits-related free school meals, and every session includes a healthy meal. Families can register their interest now and be among the first to hear when October bookings open.
Find out more and register for updates
ASH
New Youth Vaping Prevention Toolkit for Schools and Professionals
With concerns about youth vaping continuing to grow, ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) has launched a new Youth Vaping Prevention Toolkit. Developed with experts in youth smoking and vaping, the toolkit provides practical guidance, evidence-based information and ready-to-use advice for schools, local authorities, NHS services and community organisations working with children and young people.
The resource includes responses to common myths about vaping, advice on effective language and messaging, practical lessons learned from prevention initiatives, and links to trusted sources of information. It is designed to support organisations in developing informed and effective approaches to preventing youth vaping.
Children's Mental Health Week 2027
Children's Mental Health Week 2027 will take place from 1 to 7 February 2027. It is organised by Place2Be, who launched the first-ever Children's Mental Health Week in 2015 to help empower children and young people, raise awareness of mental health, and provide support through free resources and activities.
Throughout the week, schools, families, communities and workplaces can access a wide range of free resources, including:
- Assembly guides
- Group activities
- Show-and-tell activities
- Top tips
- Posters
- Fundraising packs
Stay in touch: Check out our training and other support and sign up for the occasional newsletter.
And follow us on our page on the Services for Schools platform.