The event – dubbed ‘Wellbeing Wednesday’ – was arranged by the school to furnish parents with further knowledge about Guernsey’s many resources and support networks that may help them or their children, from Guernsey Mind to the Sports Commission.
‘We were just thinking that this would be a great event for parents to find out more about the kind of resources that are out there for them,’ said Vale Primary mental health and wellbeing lead Becky Ashwood.
‘We’ve tried to have a real mixture of organisations here, so it’s mostly ones that provide support for children and parents, but there’s also some for adults only.’
The hour-long afternoon event saw more than a dozen charities come to the school, including Bright Beginnings, the Youth Commission, Citizens Advice, Health Connections, Guille-Alles Library and Safer.
‘We just wanted to let parents know what we can provide for them,’ said Bright Beginnings family wellness practitioner Lizzie Ferbrache.
‘We work with parents and children in the early years to try and make sure that they get the best start in life.’
The charity offers services such as ante-natal and post-natal classes, childcare services and mental health support groups for parents.
‘The early years are crucial – for everything, really,’ said children’s centre manager Theresa Bott.
‘We try to nurture parents so that they can nurture their children.’
While the event saw the participation of many organisations which provide practical, mental and emotional support for parents and children, it also welcomed those which focus on supporting children’s physical wellbeing.
‘We’re here to let parents know what opportunities there are for children to get involved in sports outside of school,’ said Guernsey Sports Commission director of communications Nicky Will.
‘There’s an absolute wealth of opportunities on the island – from before children are even in reception, they can get involved in sports like gymnastics – and we’d really like to encourage people to get involved. There’s a wealth of evidence that it’s good for your mental and physical health, and it also helps children in making new friends and broadening their horizons. But, the number one reason I always encourage people to take part in sports is that it’s fun.’
The event came as part of a series of initiatives that Vale Primary has undertaken this year to maximise students’ wellbeing, such as establishing a dedicated Wellbeing Hub, and was held on Wednesday to mark World Wellbeing Week.
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