Wellbeing
Wellbeing at Newhouse Academy
At school, your wellbeing is of up-most importance to us and we want to do the best we can to support you whilst you are in this period of isolation. Below are some ideas and website links to help with your wellbeing and mental and physical health.
Physical Activity
Experts believe that physical exercise releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel good. Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and help you concentrate, sleep and feel better. Exercise also keeps the brain and your other vital organs healthy. Exercising does not just mean doing sport or going to the gym. Walks in the park, gardening or housework can also keep you active.
Some ideas to keep active at the moment are to follow Joe Wicks, the Body Coach and his P.E. lessons, live on YouTube at 9:00am daily. The school SEMH team are loving them! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3LPrhI0v-w
Get outside, even if it is in your yard or garden to enjoy the fresh air (and fingers crossed the sunshine)! If you do venture outside once a day for a walk / run / cycle or any other form of exercise please ensure you stick to the government social distancing guidelines of at least 2m (6.5ft) apart from others and do not interact with anyone else who is not in your immediate family home. To ensure your social distance could mean that you cross the road to avoid close contact with others or stop in a safe space and wait for the other person / people to pass.
Get Creative
Alongside your academic home learning, try getting creative. This could be exploring your culinary skills in the kitchen or finding some paper or unused household items and making a piece of art. You can gain some artistic inspiration, primarily for KS3 children, from the link below – Babbledabbledo
https://babbledabbledo.com/80-easy-creative-projects-for-kids/
At school, Ms Pelle uses the website below to find recipes for our KS3 students. Each recipe is based around skill development, handling different foods and cooking techniques, which will support you in Food Technology when you return to school. When you click on a recipe link, there is also an option on the right of the page to open/download a word/ppt doc so that you can print the recipe cards too if you would like to start a collection of ideas and save your favourite recipes.
https://www.foodafactoflife.org.uk/recipes/
Mindfulness
With some extra time at home, it could benefit you enormously to focus on your mental health by exploring some mindfulness techniques. Mindfulness is the practise of staying in the moment, spending more time present to ourselves, and our surroundings. Not trying to change things but trying instead to accept the way that things are for better or for worse.
Mindfulness practices are endless and range from yoga, meditation, breathing exercises to mindful colouring. Anything that brings you to the present moment is a mindful practise and the benefits of being mindful are huge! Why not try a 15-minute teen meditation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5sXaLzAhGQ or if that doesn’t feel accessible why not start with a Mindful Minute https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mopikvt114
Below is a Mindfulness and Physical Wellbeing presentation. Please take the time to go through the information and access what feels beneficial to you.
If you have any further questions regarding your Mental Health then please do not hesitate to contact the SEMH team at school on SEMH@newhouseacademy.co.uk
Remember stay in the present moment, speak about your feelings, eat well, exercise and most importantly stay safe.
The SEMH team
Children's guide to coronavirus from the children's commissioner
Online Resources to Support Parents and Carers
Online Resources to Support Students
Catch it
Free downloadable apps available. Learn how to manage feelings, such as anxiety and depression. The app teaches you how to look at problems in a different way.
Mind Shift
MindShift is a free app designed to help teens and young adults cope with anxiety.
Shout | Text 85258
Shout is the UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere.
Calm Harm
An app to help those at risk of self-harm.
Headspace
A mindfulness app you can use daily.
My Possible Self
the mental health app clinically proven to reduce stress, anxiety and low mood
The following are additional links to support Health and Wellbeing at home.
Childline Tool Box has a calm zone where you can access activities, breathing exercises, yoga, games and videos on ways to cope and expressing emotion https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/calm-zone/?fbclid=IwAR2UDQqDr54URa1T6_pXFAJTxI3PpVt6dkR1dDHiyN4IrWpuocfTuRpUPQ8
Action For Happiness produce monthly calendars to support mindfulness https://www.actionforhappiness.org/calendars
Blissful Kids share mindful game ideas
https://blissfulkids.com/mindful-games-mindfulness-for-kids-and-teens/?fbclid=IwAR0QjYSYGUBrOUEa-aMGKycMpBLfOkIpHEO7GumcIGZJlDzYrQ2co3y9eDI
Babbledabbledo share creative activity ideas primarily for KS3 children https://babbledabbledo.com/80-easy-creative-projects-for-kids/
YOUTUBE:
Joe Wicks Kids Workouts – The SEMH team have been loving doing these workouts at 9am daily!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3LPrhI0v-w
Guided Meditation for Teens Kids https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5sXaLzAhGQ
The mental health charity Mind.org offer advice and support on mental health and wellbeing. You can access support specifically relating to the coronavirus for both children and adults here. https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/?fbclid=IwAR3tgvHybSo2cIYe-uOq2iKh0XFXpT12Q-TFP4IxadPa0TZw9UY9rEjf5Jo
Further help for parents and carers of children with coronavirus-related anxieties
Educational Psychologist
During the current situation Rochdale Educational Psychology service have offered to aid those children who may need some help at this time with coronavirus-related anxieties, if you require any support please contact the following:
Rans.epsadmin@rochdale.gov.uk
01706 926400
If your child has had previous involvement with Rochdale Additional Needs Service, they are also available to assist with the wellbeing of your child.
Other psychology services available to families:
Beyond Psychology is a not-for-profit social enterprise, led and founded by Chartered Clinical Psychologists, who use their expert knowledge, scientific research and experience to improve the mental health of children, their families and those that work with them. They have particular expertise in trauma and attachment. Their surplus funds are reinvested in to serving the mental health of the local community.
They can provide support for young people, parents/carers, families, and schools through one-to-one therapeutic work or via providing workshops online. For more information, and to get in touch, please visit https://www.beyond-psychology.co.uk/
The video includes all the details about services provided:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6l8Kst38g
