Cornwall Schools’ Wellbeing Hub Newsletter 7th May 2026
Thursday 7th May 2026
Welcome to the Wellbeing Newsletter
As we move into Mental Health Awareness Week next week (11th – 17th May), this feels like a timely moment to pause and reflect. For those working across education and local authority services, mental health is rarely just a headline topic or a one‑off focus. It shows up every day in small, often unnoticed ways. It’s present in everyday interactions, quiet conversations, and the relationships that support children, young people, families and colleagues.
Much of this work happens alongside busy schedules and priorities, yet it plays an important role in shaping how supported and understood people feel within our settings. Mental Health Awareness Week offers an opportunity to recognise those small but significant moments, acknowledge the work already happening, and continue sharing ideas and approaches that help create supportive, inclusive environments for everyone.
Book of the Week
Ruby's Worry by Tom Percival
Ruby loves being Ruby. Until, one day, she finds a worry. At first it’s not such a big worry, and that’s all right, but then it starts to grow. It gets bigger and bigger every day and it makes Ruby sad. How can Ruby get rid of it and feel like herself again?
A perceptive and poignant story that is a must-have for all children’s bookshelves.
This week's Headstart highlight!
A Universal / Whole School Approach supports a trauma‑informed, relational culture where emotional wellbeing is everybody’s business. Evidence shows that whole‑school, multi‑component approaches strengthen wellbeing, belonging, attendance and attainment by recognising that learning and mental health are closely connected. Read more here
Week 5
This week the digital resilience resource we want to share with you is aimed at young people. The Was That Ok Tool is a tool for young people to help them answer the question “Was That OK?” about anything sexual. It includes lots of information and advice for young people, including where to go for support, what happens if they tell someone (including the police), information about confidentiality and safeguarding, and support services they can access online. You can find out more by clicking here.
Mind - Mental Health Awareness Week (11–17 May)
As Mental Health Awareness Week approaches, national organisations are highlighting the importance of mental health care that is compassionate, relational and rooted in understanding the whole person. Mind’s focus this year centres on the idea that effective mental health support is not only clinical, but human — shaped by listening, connection and responding to the realities people are facing in their everyday lives.
Find out more about Mind’s approach to Mental Health Awareness Week here.
Supporting Employee Wellbeing in Spring and Summer - PAM Wellbeing
This PAM Wellbeing blog shares practical, seasonal tips to help employees stay energised and supported through the summer months. It highlights simple workplace approaches such as taking regular breaks, spending time outdoors, staying hydrated, encouraging healthy eating and creating opportunities for team connection - all aimed at maintaining wellbeing during warmer, busier periods.
Find out more about PAM Wellbeing’s summer wellbeing tips for employees here.
Mental Health Awareness Week – Classroom Resources (BBC Children in Need)
BBC Children in Need has brought together a range of practical, age‑appropriate classroom resources to support Mental Health Awareness Week. Developed with schools in mind, the materials are designed to help start conversations about feelings, wellbeing and mental health across early years, primary and secondary settings.
Find out more about BBC Children in Need’s Mental Health Awareness Week classroom resources here.
Mental Health Awareness Toolkit – Education Support
Education Support has developed a free Mental Health Awareness Toolkit for schools and colleges to mark Mental Health Awareness Week (11–17 May). Centred on taking small, meaningful actions, the toolkit brings together practical resources, activities and guidance to help support staff wellbeing, encourage open conversations, and strengthen cultures of care across education settings.
Find out more about Education Support’s Mental Health Awareness Toolkit here.
Mental Health Awareness Week Resources – Active Together
Active Together has shared a set of public‑facing resources to support Mental Health Awareness Week, highlighting the positive connection between movement, physical activity and mental health. The resources include simple messages, posters and shareable materials designed to help promote conversations about how staying active can support mental wellbeing across communities.
Find out more about Active Together’s Mental Health Awareness Week resources here.
Emotionally Healthy Schools – Clear Sky
Clear Sky’s Emotionally Healthy Schools programme supports schools to take a whole‑school approach to emotional wellbeing and mental health. The framework focuses on building emotionally healthy environments through staff development, pupil support, and reflective practice that strengthens relationships, inclusion and everyday school culture.
Find out more about Clear Sky’s Emotionally Healthy Schools approach here.
Mental Health Awareness Week – School of Kindness
The School of Kindness has created a dedicated Mental Health Awareness Week hub aligned with this year’s theme, Action. The page brings together a range of child‑friendly, school‑ready resources focused on kindness and mental health, including virtual assemblies, lesson plans, classroom activities and wellbeing supports for Key Stages 1 and 2.
Find out more about the School of Kindness Mental Health Awareness Week resources here.
Mental Health Resources for Schools and Colleges – Anna Freud Centre
The Anna Freud Centre offers a wide range of free, evidence‑based mental health resources for schools and colleges. Designed to support pupils, staff and families, the collection includes toolkits, lesson plans, animations and guidance to help promote mental wellbeing across the whole school or college community.
Find out more about the Anna Freud Centre’s mental health resources for schools and colleges here.
Mental Health Awareness Week – Carers Worldwide
This Carers Worldwide blog explores the purpose of Mental Health Awareness Week and highlights why it matters for unpaid carers, particularly those supporting family members under challenging circumstances. It draws attention to the increased risk of poor mental health for carers, the impact of stigma, isolation and financial pressure, and the importance of community‑based support and access to services.
Find out more about Carers Worldwide’s perspective on Mental Health Awareness Week here.
Mental Health Awareness Week – Just Drop In
Just Drop In is marking Mental Health Awareness Week by highlighting the importance of open conversations, reducing stigma, and encouraging young people to seek support when they need it. Their page outlines the aims of the week and shares how communities and organisations can get involved in promoting mental health understanding and wellbeing for children and young people.
Find out more about Just Drop In’s Mental Health Awareness Week activities here.
Mental Health Awareness Week – Mental Health Foundation
Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 11–17 May 2026 and is led by the Mental Health Foundation. This year’s theme, Action, focuses on the small and collective steps we can all take to support good mental health for ourselves, for others, and across our communities. The Foundation has shared a range of resources, ideas and ways to get involved across schools, workplaces and communities.
Find out more about Mental Health Awareness Week and this year’s ‘Action’ theme here.
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:
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.