We know how important whole-school wellbeing is, but it can be difficult to know where to start or what to prioritise.

Vanessa McHardy is an Integrative Child Psychotherapist who works in schools and has a private practice in London.

In this inspiring conversation with Vanessa, we explore:

• Why it’s so important to support the wellbeing of everyone in school and simple, practical ways to do this.
• The intriguing and vital role of our connective tissue in supporting our wellbeing.
• 3 exercises we can do to relieve stress; so simple we can easily teach them to our children and young people.
• Helping Wellbeing Leads in school to cope.
• A shocking 80% of people don’t ask for help when having difficulties.
• Simple steps to deal with this and create a system of communication to be more open about how we’re feeling or coping, without fear of embarrassment or shame.
• Vanessa’s self talk, “You are not being chased by a tiger!”
• The exciting opportunity schools have to put the wellbeing of everyone front and centre now.
• How good wellbeing benefits everyone, including academic results.
• Covid 19 has shown ‘we’re all in this together’, but we’re having unique experiences. Her free training program ‘Same Sea, Different Boats’ helps schools address and create a powerful piece of work out of it.
• And much more!

Vanessa has developed a therapeutic return to school series of programmes and initiatives through the generous funding of the Lars Windhorst Foundation, you can find these at the website www.sameseadifferentboats.com.

She is a specialist in practical, simple life skills that support mental health and wellbeing.

You can connect with Vanessa:

On Twitter

Her website is www.sameseadifferentboats.com