Students Get their Skates On with World Champion

Posted at 9:26 am on 7th May, 2019

Jenna Downing Launches ‘Moving Minds’

World and British Champion Inline Skater, Jenna Downing, joined Wellacre on 29th March as part of the Mentally Healthy Schools pilot programme involving the Youth Sports Trust and 42nd Street.

Athlete Mentor, Jenna Downing, delivered a workshop with Year 9 students to help build their confidence and empower them with the skills to manage their physical and emotional wellbeing.  The overall aim - to support students to achieve their potential in school and beyond.

Drawing on her own experiences of overcoming adversity to achieve success in her sport, Jenna helped students develop a personal plan for using physical activity, lifestyle choices and coping strategies to reduce stress and anxiety and ensure they are active, engaged learners in school.

Jenna then worked with five of Wellacres Young Health Ambassadors for further in-depth training to enable them to fulfil their role in school and support other Wellacre students.

Wellacre’s Ambassadors have been appointed as young leaders, are students who are interested in their own health and wellbeing, as well as a vested interest in improving the health and wellbeing of other students.

Young Health Ambassador, Jamie in Year 9, said:

“We learned various ways to help peers in school such as mediating to stay calm, good sleep behaviours, and healthy eating for an active lifestyle and positive mental health.

“In my role as a Young Health ambassador, I want to be a role model for Wellacre students and help promote healthy mindsets for young people through healthy lifestyles and introducing new sports.”

Wellacre’s Young Health Ambassador will now plan and deliver a sporting event for students.  They will introduce a new sport and provide nutritious food and drinks in order to promote the ‘healthy lifestyle for a healthy mind’ message.  Jenna will return to Wellacre to meet all students and hear the results of the programme later in May.

Mr Pemberton, Vice Principal for Welfare and Wellbeing, added:

“This is our second year as part of the Mentally Healthy Schools pilot and we were glad to welcome Jenna Downing to our school to work with students and look forward to her return visit.  As a school, we recognise that students’ succeed when they feel more supported, confident and happy.

“We have every confidence in our Young Health Ambassadors and the event they are planning.  They will attend the Young Health Ambassador Conference in July, which will provide them with an opportunity to share their skills, experiences and practice, as well as a chance to celebrate their achievements.”