Skip to content ↓

Mental Health & Wellbeing

 A child’s mental health is just as important as their physical health.

It includes their emotional, psychological and social wellbeing, and influences how they think, feel and behave. Good mental health helps children to learn, build relationships, cope with challenges, and reach their full potential.

Supporting mental health is about helping children feel safe, valued, connected and capable — both at school and at home.

What Does Good Mental Health Look Like in Children?

Children with positive mental wellbeing are more likely to:

🌱 Emotional Regulation

Be able to recognise, express and manage a range of emotions such as happiness, sadness, worry or anger in healthy ways.

🤝 Social Connection

Form positive relationships with family, friends and adults, and feel listened to, understood and supported.

🧠 Coping Skills

Develop resilience to manage change, setbacks, stress and uncertainty.

⭐ Self-Esteem

Feel confident in themselves and believe they can achieve and succeed.

📚 Engagement

Enjoy learning and take part positively in school and community life.

When Children Are Struggling

At times, children may experience difficulties with their mental health. This can show in different ways, including:

  • Persistent sadness or low mood

  • Excessive worry or anxiety

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Strong or frequent anger

  • Changes in eating or sleeping

  • Withdrawing from others or activities

  • Unusual or distressing thoughts

These difficulties may be linked to experiences such as stress, bullying, bereavement, family changes, or other life challenges. Support is available, and early help can make a real difference.

Why Mental Health Matters

Good mental health supports children to:

  • Learn effectively

  • Build healthy relationships

  • Enjoy everyday life

  • Grow into confident, well-rounded individuals

Just like physical health, mental wellbeing needs care, attention and support.

How We Support Mental Health and Wellbeing at Worle Village Primary School

At Worle Village we take a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing.

  • All staff work to create a strong sense of safety, belonging and security for every child

  • Children are taught skills to support:

    • Managing emotions

    • Building resilience

    • Problem-solving

    • Developing healthy relationships

Miss Thomas is our Learning Support Mentor and Pastoral Care.

We are also supported by our Educational Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP), Maya Minter, who works with children through 1:1 and group interventions. Maya is in school on Tuesdays.

Early intervention is important. We strongly encourage parents and carers to share any concerns as early as possible, so we can put support in place or signpost to appropriate services.

Support Services for Parents and Carers

Below are local and national services offering support for children, young people and families:

🧩 Off The Record North Somerset

Support for young people aged 11–25 in North Somerset.
Offers group and 1:1 support.
👉 https://otrnorthsomerset.org.uk/

💙 In Charley’s Memory

1:1 and group support for young people aged 11+ at their Highbridge offices.
Support includes counselling and help processing difficult experiences such as bullying.
Also offer support for adults and parent empowerment sessions.
👉 https://www.incharleysmemory.com/

💬 Kooth

A free, safe and anonymous online mental health platform.
Available for young people aged 11–18 (up to 25 in some areas).
👉 https://www.kooth.com/

🧠 Vita Minds

A free and confidential NHS talking therapies service.
Supports anxiety, low mood, excessive worry and PTSD.
Self-referral available.
👉 https://www.vitahealthgroup.co.uk/

🌿 Vine Counselling

Affordable, donation-based counselling for children aged 8+ and adults.
Support for anxiety, stress, bereavement, trauma, bullying and more.
👉 https://vinecounselling.org/

🌱 Wellspring Counselling

Counselling for adults and young people aged 11–18.
Face-to-face and remote sessions available.
Young people do not pay a fee (minimum donation requested).
👉 https://www.wellspringcounselling.org.uk/

🔄 Reframe (Wanted Not Wasted)

Free counselling for children aged 5–18 living in Weston-super-Mare.
Sessions at the WOW Shop (Wed–Fri).
Please note: longer waiting list.
👉 https://wantednotwasted.wixsite.com/wantednotwasted/projects

🚨 Shout

Free, 24/7 text support for anyone in a mental health crisis.
📱 Text SHOUT to 85258
👉 https://giveusashout.org/

📞 The Mix

Free, confidential support for under-25s via phone, online and social channels.
📞 0808 808 4994 (Mon–Fri, 4pm–11pm)
👉 https://www.themix.org.uk/

🌈 YoungMinds

Information, advice and resources for young people and parents.
👉 https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/

Parent Helpline:
📞 0808 802 5544 (Mon–Fri, 9:30am–4pm)
👉 https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-helpline/

Parenting Support in North Somerset

👨‍👩‍👧 Advanced Parenting Groups

Run by the North Somerset Family Wellbeing Team.
Groups focus on sharing experiences, learning new skills and strengthening relationships.

📞 Children’s Front Door: 01275 888 808
📧 parenting.groups@n-somerset.gov.uk
👉 https://n-somerset.gov.uk/my-services/children-young-people-families/advanced-parenting-groups

🏡 Parenting Villages (Drop-Ins)

Friendly, relaxed drop-ins with parenting specialists offering support and advice:

  • 1st Thursday: Nailsea & Backwell Children’s Centre, 13:30–15:00

  • 1st Friday: Castle Batch Children’s Centre, 09:30–11:00

  • 2nd Tuesday: Oldmixon Family Centre, 09:00–11:00

  • 3rd Monday: Clevedon Library, 09:30–11:00

 

Cookie Policy