Schools and Early Year settings play a huge role in supporting children’s health and wellbeing. Teachers and school staff have the best understanding of what their pupils and school communities need.
Earlier this year, Worcestershire County Council’s Public Health Team decided to invest in this understanding and ability to influence children’s health more widely.
In line with our community development approach, we launched a small grants programme which allows schools to make their ideas for health improvement a reality.
To date, we have received proposals from schools that have included increasing physical activity, through forest play, bell-boating, or daily running with sports watches, to use of sensory spaces or training for pupil wellbeing champions.
A great example of one of the projects we’ve supported is the School Therapy Dog Sessions at Eckington CE First School.
Please watch below or follow this video link to meet Ragnar, who works in the classroom to help with anxiety and general wellbeing for young children: https://youtu.be/g2S7YHdlf-A
Sarah Roberts, Headteacher at Eckington CE First School said: “We have a growing number of pupils struggling with anxiety. Introducing a therapy dog to our school community will benefit the ongoing mental health of our pupils and staff. Thank you so much for this opportunity to support our school community and the simplicity of the application and whole process.”
For further information please visit the Public Health Innovation Grant for Education Setting webpage via Worcestershire Children First’s website: Public Health Innovation Grant for Educational Settings | Worcestershire County Council