Students at Cowes Enterprise College have been awarded a £2,000 cheque for their ideas to improve wellbeing, co-ordinated by the ‘Wellbeing mentors’ as part of the #BeeWell project. The pupils came up with the idea to improve a sense of connection and wellbeing at the school. Wellbeing Warriors, or Mentors, are an appointed wellbeing committee that meets weekly to consider students’ mental health and wellbeing priorities. Wellbeing Warriors have since come together independently of staff to produce the winning action plan. Over 22,000 young people across Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton (HIPS) in Years 8 & 10 took part in the BeeWell project in Autumn 2023. Cowes Enterprise were 1 of 103 schools that took part in the HIPS area, of which 19 were special schools. 9 schools across the Island were involved, 2 of which were special schools, (over 1400 young people). The inspiration behind the student’s concept was an interest in Owen Eastwood’s work on belonging. They have adopted his model of ‘whakapapa’ (creating environments where individuals feel connected to each other, their community, and their history). The Wellbeing Warriors team are thrilled to have been awarded this cheque, and the prize money will go towards making their plans a reality, with the money being spent on:
- Guest speaker and resources for the festival
- The cost of 20 hoodies
- Materials for the club
- Furniture/decoration of the sensory room
- Cost of mental health first aid training
The project was judged by groups of similar-aged students and the panel said that the Cowes Enterprise team concept was ‘The Best!’ and they loved the idea of having a whole school celebration for wellbeing. Councillor Jonathan Bacon, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Education, has said:
“It’s wonderful to see so many of our young people engaged in this issue. The fact that this project was focused on reaching out and being visible to those who are vulnerable and need help is wonderful. Children can at times struggle to communicate how they feel to the adults around them, but they feel more comfortable talking to their peers. The idea of children supporting children gives great hope for the future and I look forward to seeing plans put in to action in the coming school year.’’
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Ashley Whittaker, Strategic Director for Children’s Services, adds:
“Tthe #BeeWell project has produced some really interesting information and we have collected a lot of useful feedback and data from the students. This will help us, as a local authority, and also teachers, to continue to grow and work alongside the children.”.
The #BeeWell programme is currently funded for three years and using the findings, collaborative work such as that evidenced by Cowes Enterprise College will continue between the local authority, community partners, schools and students to improve wellbeing.
“mental health first aid training”
‘whakapapa’
whak-a-papa – or smack your dad!