5 Ways to Wellbeing

The Five Ways to Wellbeing

Evidence suggests that building the following five steps into our daily routines can improve our mental wellbeing.

The steps are

• Connect
• Be active
• Take notice
• Keep learning
• Give

Please click on the link to view a PowerPoint which has a number of ideas for ways in which you can incorporate the Five Ways to Wellbeing into your daily lives. Five Ways to Wellbeing ideas

What we do

At Swing Gate, we teach the children about the Five Ways to Wellbeing and incorporate them into our daily routine. For example, we have active movement breaks throughout the day.

Assemblies

We have regular assemblies where we discuss ways to support wellbeing. We also have a story assembly every week for KS1 children, where a story with a chosen theme is shared and then discussed with the children. The themes of the stories include, friendship, kindness, mindfulness, celebrating differences and grief.

Wellbeing days

Every term, we have a mental wellbeing day which incorporates the 5 Ways to Wellbeing.

Autumn Term

In the autumn term, the children learnt about ways to develop their mental wellbeing in the outdoor environment. They worked in mixed groups with children from all year groups to complete a carousel of activities with each one linked to one of the five ways to wellbeing.

Connect- mixing with children from different year groups and different teaching staff.

The children worked together to make dens for cuddly toys using natural materials.

Give- creating bird feeders to feed wildlife. 

Be Active and Take Notice- the children went on a bear hunt around the school. They had to spot teddy bears who were hiding in interesting places. They then had to read the description on the bear and join in with the described physical activity and song.

Take Notice- the children explored the school grounds looking for natural treasures which they collected and shared with their group. 

The children made perfumes and potions. They had to closely observe what happened when they added different ingredients. 

Learn- in all of the activities, the children were learning. 

The children created wonderful pieces of natural art inspired by existing pieces of artwork. 

The children had a great time learning together in the outdoor environment.

Spring Term

In the Spring term, the children took part in ‘The Power of Small Changes’ campaign. The idea is that small changes to your day can make a big difference to how you feel. The children had to complete a small challenge each day with each one based on one of the 5 ways to wellbeing.

Day 1 - have lunch with someone new, play with someone new at break time.

Day 2- start the day with a morning stretch.

Day 3- interview your teacher or the head teacher to learn more about them.

Day 4- write down/draw something that is worrying you, what can you do to help?

Day 5- write a kind message/draw a picture for someone in your class and give it to them.

Special funded projects

Swing Gate actively seeks to be part of local and national initiatives which support pupil wellbeing. For the past two years we have secured funding to run an event in Feeling Good Week.

Connecting Generations

Last year, we invited grandparents and friends into school to enjoy an afternoon tea which had been prepared by the children.

One grandparent said, “I would like to say a huge thank you for the event today. The food was amazing and the organisation of it must have taken a great amount of effort and stress but it was brilliant. Thanks to all involved”.

One Mum said, “My children loved having their grandfather in school with them. It was very special for him and them.”

Regrown- Biodiversity Garden

This year, we created a garden in school to promote biodiversity. Children from every year group were involved in designing and creating the space.  We are really looking forward to seeing the garden bloom over the coming months and using it as a place where we can really take notice of wildlife and nature.

A new bid will again be submitted next year so watch this space!