The following guidance and information are intended to support St Joseph’s immediate and extended communities to feel well, healthy and happy. We are offering clear steps that provide support for our families to develop and deliver their own health and wellbeing plans if they are absent from school or work.

In essence, we recommend Welsh Government’s national drive in promoting the five steps of health and wellbeing;

• Connect. If possible, connect and keep in touch with people around you: family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. Check on one another, if visits are not possible then phone, WhatsApp, text or face time.
• Be active. If possible, get active; walk, run, cycle, play a game, gardening, dancing or construct your own home-made circuit. Ensure you are eating well, drinking water and getting the rest you need to be healthy.
• Take notice. Be observant of yourself, others and your environment. Give compliments, support one another, be kind and look for something beautiful in your family or nature.
• Keep learning. Stay interested in local, national and international developments. How can you help yourself and others? Be aware of other opportunities to progress your learning through the school website and Google Classrooms.
• Give. Being there for one another is so important; random acts of kindness, encouragement, love and generosity. Invest in yourself, family and loved ones; compassion, time, patience and citizenship.

Click here for some great Coping Strategies from Cardiff and Vale Child Health Psychology

FREE Carers workshops and counselling sessions

Carers Trust South East Wales (CTSEW) will be offering a range of additional mental health and wellbeing support, available free of charge for carers of all ages across south east Wales until the end of March 2021.

Boxing and Mindfulness sessions 

A four session online course, combining non-contact boxing training and mindfulness. Delivered by experienced mindfulness teachers and pro boxing trainers, the innovative sessions are accessible for all ages and abilities and are designed to enhance physical and mental wellbeing in a dynamic and fun way. Carers signing up must be available to attend all 4 sessions.

Juniors, aged 6 – 11 years -  Mondays, 4:30-5:30pm 
8th February 21, 15th February 21, 22nd February 21 and 1st March 21

Seniors, aged 12 – 18years - Mondays, 5:30-6:30pm 
8th February 21, 15th February 21, 22nd February 21 and 1st March 21

Adults (aged over 18years) - Tuesdays, 6:00pm-7:00pm 
8th February 21, 15th February 21, 22nd February 21 and 1st March 21

Online health and wellbeing sessions, January – March 2021

One off sessions covering a variety of topics to support good mental health and wellbeing:

All of these services will be available to all carers living in (or caring for someone who lives in):  Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Merthyr, Monmouthshire, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Torfaen or The Vale of Glamorgan.

For further information or to book a space, please visit our website .

A SAFE PLACE TO RELATE

The last 10 months have been extremely challenging for teachers and students alike.  The recent announcement of another national lockdown hasn’t made for the happiest start to 2021.  Some young people have struggled to adapt to the changes imposed by lockdown restrictions and studies show how the pandemic has negatively affected their mental health.  

Youth clubs are an invaluable source of support for young people and bring a wealth of benefits, which you can find more about here. 

If you have any questions or would like to know more about the service, please get in touch at eikonline@eikon.org.uk. You can also find more information on how to register on our website. Connect with us on Instagram and Facebook.

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Healthy relationships during lockdown

COVID-19: The new rules mean that lots of us can’t meet up with friends, partners, and other people we care about and have relationships with. Many of us will be online and on our phones a lot more, keeping relationships going and maybe starting new ones. Click on the links below to see some more support, help or advice.

Support Access with Newport MIND

Newport Mind is currently working across schools in Newport to support young people and their families during this very challenging time.  As part of a bid to provide parents with different ways to access support (therefore also helping the young person too).

Click here for information made for parents and care-givers regarding how to use parent-led CBT to help a young person who may be experiencing negative thought patterns. This technique is most often used with anxious thoughts but can also be used to help with low mood.  If you could circulate this to your school communities hopefully this will be a useful resource for some families who are struggling to support the mental health and wellbeing of their young person. 

Should any parents, young people or school staff feel a young person needs additional support, please click here for our Changing Minds Referral Form, where the Children and Young Person’s Team will consider what support provision is the best fit.

MEIC Helpline

As everybody starts to get used to the new ways of working in these very different times, we wanted to get in touch to remind/inform you of the Meic helpline service for the children and young people of Wales.

Time will tell how much of an impact Covid-19 has had on the health and wellbeing of the children and young people of Wales. Mental health contacts the Meic helpline has certainly increased during lockdown and this is the reason for contacting you today. It is important that young people are aware of the services that are there to support them, even more so during extreme times like these. The Meic helpline, funded by Welsh Government and ran by ProMo-Cymru, offers information, advice and advocacy to every child and young person under 25 in Wales.

The Meic Helpline is free, confidential and bilingual and can be contacted by phone (080880 23456), text (84001) or online chat (www.meic.cymru). Children and young people can talk to one of our trained advisers about any question or issue they may have, big or small. Our advisers will then work with that child or young person to find the help that they need.

The Meic website is also full of useful articles which offer advice on a number of different subject. Visit the Articles section on the website to search through our previous articles, or use the magnifying glass on the top right hand corner to search a specific keyword.

The website also has a specific section for professionals full of resources designed to teach others about Meic. There are links to school resources and lessons on the Hwb platform, a list of some of our videos (more can be found on our YouTube channel), and links to download our flyers, posters and branding. You are welcome to print these yourselves, and use our logos to link to the Meic helpline from your school websites if you so wish. Meic has lots of resources included on the Hwb platform, and a number of links to Meic have been included in their recent Young Person's Mental Health Toolkit.

Meic can also be found on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, where we post engaging content for children, young people and professionals. We would be extremely grateful if you could share our details with your pupils and welcome any contact from you with further questions or requests.

Staying Healthy

	Follow our St Joes PE Twitter feed for tips on staying healthy during this period of distance learning or isolation. Just click on the icon!
	School Nurses and Looked After Children`s Services  DAILY CONTACT LINE You can contact them daily between the hours of: 10am until 2pm  T: 07500 124208  FACEBOOK: @SchoolnursingABUHB  TWITTER: @SchoolUhb  WEB: ABS Health Board
	Follow our SJHSwellbeing twitter feed for links and information to help keep for mind and body healthy during the lockdown.

Useful links to help you stay physically and mentally healthy

Things to relieve the boredom!!!

Newport MIND 'Write with You'

Newport Mind, through their ‘Changing Minds Project’ is offering an opportunity for your child to be involved in a new virtual scheme called ‘Write With You’. This is an email service that aims to help to bring young people together, who in this time of uncertainty with school being closed, might end up feeling a bit lonely or bored.

This scheme is open to any young people, aged 11-25, who are based in and around Newport and have access to an email account. Newport Mind’s 'Wellbeing Ambassadors' (young volunteers aged 14-25) will be the ones that will be replying to young people’s emails. In essence, this an online peer support scheme and all emails will be monitored by the Newport Mind staff.

If you feel that your child would benefit from this service, then please direct them to the attached referral form in order that that they can access this support.

Helping Others

Give and Cake

Check in on a loved one with a Give and Cake catch-up!
In the past couple of weeks; our worlds have turned upside down. Being in isolation has created new challenges, including being away from our friends and family. This time is especially hard and confusing for young people and parents.
But no one should have to go through this alone. We’re all in this together and there are still so many ways to be there for your friends and family, whether it’s virtually, or at home.
Give and Cake is your opportunity to check in on someone you care about, take a moment for some vital self-care, and donate what you might have spent on a coffee and cake outing to YoungMinds.

It's as easy as ready, steady, bake...

1. Sign up to Give and Cake to download your free wellbeing kit, filled with conversation starters and fun activities to help you make the most of your catch-up
2. Decide on a time and date for your Give and Cake catch-up and send your invites out
3. Enjoy your Give and Cake! Share your pictures with @YoungMindsUK on social media, and use the hashtag #GiveAndCake
4. Donate whatever you would have spent on a hot drink and cake, to help us continue our vital work supporting young people and their families during this crisis

So, whether you choose a teatime natter with your nanna, a brunch with your mates or an afternoon ‘pick me-up’ with colleagues - your get-togethers will show those around you that you’re there for them, and your donations will help us ensure that every young person gets the help they need at this difficult time.  Together we've got this!

Apps and things

Try some of these apps to keep your wellbeing in shape - these are all available free on the App Store.

Useful Websites

Helpline services available

YoungMinds Crisis Messenger

• Provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK if you are experiencing a mental health crisis
• If you need urgent help text YM to 85258
• All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors
• Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.

Childline

• Comforts, advises and protects children 24 hours a day and offers free confidential counselling.
• Phone 0800 1111 (24 hours)
• Chat 1-2-1 with a counsellor online

The Mix

• Information, support and listening for people under 25.
• Phone 0808 808 4994 (24 hours)
• Get support online

Samaritans

• 24 hour confidential listening and support for anyone who needs it. (Adults included.)
• jo@samaritans.org
• Phone 116 123 (24 hours)

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