In light of Children’s Mental Health Week this week; we thought you might enjoy a little update about our magnificent Mindful Garden.
Last year, our school counsellor, Sheila, decided she wanted to create a safe, outdoor space for students to reflect and relax. A place where small group counselling/mindfulness sessions could take place and somewhere students could have a ‘time out’ if needed. She contacted our local councillors, Paul Sexton and Alan Bainbridge, who loved the idea and very kindly donated two amazing benches and a summerhouse from their Neighbourhood Budget. They popped in last week to take a look at the progress (see pictures below).
The garden is not finished yet though; by the summer we will have a potting shed, the summer house will be painted and there will be a lot more flowers. Watch this space.
Councillor Paul Sexton said “The work you and the whole team do for pupils is wonderful at the best of times. However, in the midst of a pandemic, where our normally socially engaged and inquisitive children are having their routines and support mechanisms interrupted, they need you more now than ever. The Mindful Garden is a fantastic initiative and we’re delighted to be of support, given the amazing work you do. Hopefully, this will benefit many for years to come.”
Children's Mental Health Week is taking place on 7-13 February 2022. This year's theme is Growing Together. The initiative aims to encourage children (and adults) to consider how they have grown, and how they can help others to grow (just like our garden is growing!). Find out more here - https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/