Have a look at this presentation which talks about the importance of connections in our lives.

We also really encourage you to access the Wellbeing Classroom via this link. There are lots of resources and helpful information within it and we regularly post new resources and hints and tips to help promote good mental health and wellbeing.

You might like to download the Action for Happiness calendar for February which is called ‘Friendship February!’. The Action for Happiness suggestion today is ‘Get back in touch with an old friend you haven’t seen for a while’

Tuesday 7th February is Safer Internet Day. For resources click here. 

“A true community is not just about being geographically close to someone or part of the same social web network. It’s about feeling connected and responsible for what happens. Humanity is our ultimate community, and everyone plays a crucial role.” Yehuda Berg.

Volunteering is one way to feel connected and to take responsibility for being the change that you want to see.

The following information is taken from the ‘volunteering and taking care of others’ information on Anna Freud:

For lots of people, volunteering, or regularly dedicating a specific amount of time to focus purely on another person or cause, can be a useful distraction technique when they are feeling anxious or low. When you know you’ve helped someone, it can feel really satisfying and remind you of things you are good at which you may have forgotten about.  This could be something small like making a cup of tea for a family member or something bigger like starting a new voluntary job. Find what fits your life and makes sense for you.

Having a purpose is something that can save me when I’m in my darkest moments. I volunteered for a charity for a long time and it was really helpful knowing I was needed somewhere once a week. It reminded me of other things about me apart from just my mental health problems. It was also something I could put on my CV to help me get a job in the future

There are so many different kinds of voluntary roles you can do from helping an elderly person with their iPad, to stroking animals at the local animal rescue centre or putting up posters around your town for people who’ve gone missing. Find an opportunity local to you on the VInspired website or by visiting your local NCVO volunteer centre. 

And, if you take care of your family in your spare time or are responsible for caring responsibilities, please get into contact with your local Carers charity and remember you do have rights as a Young Carer, which you can view on the NHS website.

Further information:

What is volunteering? - video

Royal Voluntary Service’s information on volunteering for young adults and students.

Next week is half term and, as well as making time to relax and recharge, it is also an opportunity for you to connect with others.

Some ideas from Anna Freud are below. Click on each of the links for more information.

Youth Groups
There are a lot of different types of youth group that focus on striving to provide a safe, social environment for young people, often presenting themselves as a way to ‘be active’ and ‘discovering new things’.

Different youth groups centre around different things. For example:  church groups can often be associated with positive community, fun socialisation and prayer; Scout groups are typically associated outdoor adventure activities, discovering skills and challenges.

Board Games
It can sometimes feel overwhelming or intense to spend extended periods of time with friends or family when talking is the main activity. Suggesting a boardgame can be a good plan when you’d like a shared activity to focus on, which relieves some of the pressure to make conversation, and also gives you new things to laugh and talk about. It can also stimulate the parts of your brain responsible for problem-solving, strategising and making logical decisions, which could put you in a good mindset to tackle other things that are going on. Ultimately, the purpose of playing boardgames is to relax and have fun, so find one that you enjoy

Volunteering and taking care of others
For lots of people, volunteering, or regularly dedicating a specific amount of time to focus purely on another person or cause, can be a useful distraction technique when they are feeling anxious or low. When you know you’ve helped someone, it can feel really satisfying and remind you of things you are good at which you may have forgotten about.  This could be something small like making a cup of tea for a family member or something bigger like starting a new voluntary job. Find what fits your life and makes sense for you.

Sport
If you are able to, finding a sport that’s right for you can be a great way to get fresh air, keep fit or meet new people.

Playing sport can also help you sleep better, take your mind off any stress or anxiety, and release endorphins to improve your mood. You might find the idea a bit scary, and that’s perfectly okay – it’s normal not to be very ‘good’ at first! The important thing is not to put too much pressure on yourself.

Spending time with friends
Sometimes when we are feeling low or anxious it can be really easy to slowly stop getting out and seeing our friends as much as we used to. For some people, it can be really helpful to try and break that habit by purposefully spending more time with friends and people you get along with.

‘Ringing for a chat helps you get away from how you’re feeling’. 

Online chat or peer group support

Everyone communicates in different ways, and sometimes it can feel easier to talk about what’s on your mind via an online chat. Some people find this quieter and less pressurising than face-to-face conversation.

Spending time with supportive people
We all need people in our lives we can turn to when we’re struggling, whether for a deep discussion or just a chat. It can take the pressure off of needing to seem ‘okay’ just for a little bit because you know you can trust them. This could be a friend, family member, teacher or mentor- it doesn’t matter as long as you feel safe and able to be real with them. Sometimes we just need a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on, other times advice can be really helpful.