Wellbeing event draws in the schools
HUNDREDS of schoolchildren attended an event yesterday, the aim of which was to raise the awareness of wellbeing among the island’s youth.
Organised by The Youth Commission, Guernsey College of Further Education and the Grammar School and Sixth Form Centre, The 5 Ways Fayre took place at Beau Sejour.
The event was organised around the five ways to wellbeing theme – give, connect, be active, keep learning and take notice – with the organisations providing a variety of activities under each theme.
Among these were the School of Popular Music with a have-a-go session, the Guernsey FA Academy with a blow-up football game and Wellbeing Animals Guernsey, which brought two of its dogs, Skippy and Foxy, who got a lot of attention.
La Mare de Carteret High students enjoyed the event, with one group taking to the SOPM stage to do a rendition of The White Stripes’ song Seven Nation Army.
Another pupil, Alex Maindonald, 14, was looking at artefacts on the Guernsey Museum stall.
‘This event is important for young people as I don’t think we really think of all of this,’ he said. ‘This is a fun and interactive way of sending out the message.’
The event hosted more than 40 organisations from the wider States, as well as voluntary ones which support young people.
There was also a range of expert speakers as well as a cafe which saw a large group of pupils in conversation with Guernsey’s senior politician, Deputy Gavin St Pier.
Education president Matt Fallaize said the event was a good example of how the island can collaborate.
‘It is clear that all of our schools, the College of Further Education and the Youth Commission work very hard to support and care for all our young people,’ he said.
‘This is a great example of current and future collaboration which will be supported by the education transformation programme.’
The event welcomed more than 1,500 young people, focusing on Years 8 and 10.
Students from the Guernsey College of Further Education and sixth formers took part in an interactive showcase.
Nigel Humphrey, clinical psychologist from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, said: ‘This is a great opportunity for us to share information about our service with young people. The event is also a brilliant chance for us to work with other agencies which support young people.’
Community Foundation development officer Will Carter said: ‘Volunteering is not only a fantastic thing to do for one’s chosen charity, but it is a great way of looking after one’s self through learning new skills, meeting new people, doing something important and having fun.’
