Protocol Education's Ruth Bell has run successful Mindfulness sessions throughout the pandemic. As the successful mindfulness and wellbeing sessions enter their third year, we learn how the sessions, targeted at educators, are helping a group of Year 10 Pupils in Lancashire.
Ruth explains, "I do not know Claire very well other than from a few emails, a phone call, and her presence at my online Mindfulness Meditation sessions. What I do know is that she cares about the mental health and wellbeing of her students.”
Claire Brodman is the student support leader at Westhoughton High school in Lancashire, a large secondary school with 1,300 students on roll. As pastoral support, Claire has witnessed consistent anxiety, noticeable behavioural changes, and a devastating effect on social development since the onset of the pandemic.
"Each week, Claire brings along at least seven of her students in Year 10 to attend Ruth's mindfulness sessions. Most of them are girls, and they all have some level of anxiety. Claire attributes this to worry and sadness at having missed at least two years of proper education." Ruth continued. For many, the transition from being in Year 7 when the pandemic struck to being in Year 10 and facing upcoming GCSEs is exceptionally daunting.
Claire explained: "We have so many students who are overwhelmed with the fallout of the pandemic here at Westhoughton high school. My students look forward to these sessions and I believe they are helping. I would love to see this as a whole school approach."
Ruth started the mindfulness mediation sessions when the first lockdown occurred in March 2020 and is now running two online sessions via Zoom every week. The sessions are open to anyone who feels they might benefit from them and take place on Thursdays at 5:30 pm and Fridays at 12:30 pm.
Register here for Thursday sessions
Register here for Friday sessions
If you would like to discuss how we can support you or your school, please get in touch with Ruth at ruth.bell@protocol-education.com.
