Independent Schools March 2019

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Newbury Weekly News

Help your kids to relax During her 30 years as a teacher , AMANDA BAILEY noticed the increasing number of children and young people suffering with anxiety , s ress and poor self-esteem. She now offers a programme devised by Relax Kids, one of the leading experts in child relaxation training, classes and resour ces

Ideas to try at home

This sensory stimulation promotes the release of ‘happy chemicals’, reduces the adrenalin and allows calm and relaxed feelings to increase. These current fads provide individuals with an opportunity to explore the science behind regulating stress, as well as learn more strategies to help them feel calm and relaxed in all areas of their lives. Amanda runs Relax Kids community classes for children aged six to 11 in Hermitage and Wash Common. Each session contains Relax Kids’ seven unique steps. The children learn to regulate themselves with high-energy movement and games, then progress to a calm and relaxed state learning simple and fun relaxation strategies, such as massage, breathing techniques

and meditation. She also offers six-week Family Chill Skills courses in your own home for ages seven plus, including teens, young adults and parents. These sessions provide opportunities to learn relaxation techniques and strategies, including informa- tion about the structure of the brain and how this relates to emotions and feelings. It also explores ways to problem solve and change attitudes, behaviour and habits through visualisations, positive thinking and self belief. To find out more, visit www.relaxwithamanda.co.uk or email info@ relaxwithamanda.co.uk or call/text on 07909502667. n This article first appeared in Out & About , Spring 2019

DID you know that half of mental health problems suffered in adulthood start before a child reaches their 15th birthday? Frustrated with the lack of support, Amanda Bailey discovered Relax Kids, which showed her how to support the development of good mental health in children and young people. The programme provides a unique way in which to develop everyday strategies to manage stress, anxiety and differing moods. It helps young people who are feeling tired, cross or unhappy, those finding it difficult to sleep, stressed with exams, suffering from headaches and stomach problems and more. Many children are obsessed with fidget spinners, slime, squishes, squidgies and flossing (the dance not dental COLLEGIATE AC, one of Europe’s leading providers of award-winning student accommodation, has announced that their inaugural Collegiate Charitable Trust Gala & Auction will be held on May 18, 2019, at Barton House, in Oxfordshire. student mental health charity. The high-profile event will be hosted by actor and BBC Radio 1 DJ Cel Spellman, known for his role as Matt Williams in the ITV comedy drama Cold Feet . Guests will be welcomed with a Veuve Clicquot Champagne reception, followed by a five- course sit-down meal prepared by Tom Sherry, who trained under Michelin star chef Jason Atherton. This inaugural event will provide funding towards a programme of activities developed in conjunction with Student Minds, who work closely with students, service users, professionals and academics to develop new and innovative ways to improve the mental health of students. CEO of Student Minds Rosie Tressler says: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Collegiate and to be involved in such an exciting event. “We are fully committed to empowering students and members of the university community to develop the knowledge, confidence and skills to look after their own mental health, support others and create change. The event will be held in conjunction with Student Minds, the UK’s leading

After spending time focussing on the experience of breathing, encourage your child to sit up tall, with the body at ease, allowing the diaphragm to expand as their lungs fill with air, breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth. The slower the out breath the more relaxed your child will feel. Here are some fun breathing exercises to practise: n blow onto a large feather or pin wheel n blow through a straw – you can make this extra fun by using water, a milkshake, blow painting, bubble blowing n blow under a tissue and make it float n imagine you are blowing out candles on a birthday cake or blowing up a balloon

DEEP breathing will calm the mind and relax the body – the out breath is the calming breath. Before any breathing exercise take a moment to settle, feeling the body relax. Always breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth. Encourage your child to say how it makes them feel – they are then more likely to recognise emotional discomfort and use breathing as a strategy to combat anxiety. At first, together with your child spend time feeling and observing the sensations of breathing in the nose, chest and tummy. Lie down on your back and place a light object such as a book, soft toy or paper boat on the chest, then tummy and watch it go up and down.

Amanda Bailey

hygiene!). Without realising it, they are stimulating their senses, which has a calming effect on their nervous system. When we feel anxious the body releases stress hormones, adrenalin and cortisol, followed by an automatic ‘fight and flight’ reaction.

Collegiate AC charity gala fundraiser for Student Minds

Thursday, April 4 4pm - 7pm at Newbury College Fair proud sponsors of

BartonHouse,EastLockinge

Picture: Claire Williams Photography

lined up that will help make this the must-attend event for 2019.” Collegiate currently manages purpose-built student accom- modation developments in the UK, Spain and Portugal, with schemes in cities including Madrid, Valencia and Lisbon. Headquartered in Oxford, and with offices in Madrid, the company works with investors in the design, development, and management of private rented sector properties across the UK and Europe.

“Collegiate shares this vision with us and we are very grate- ful for their ongoing support.” Trustee and Founder of The Collegiate Charitable Trust Melanie Cuanalo said: “Student mental health is a matter close to our hearts here at Collegiate, so we’re very pleased to have teamed up with Student Minds for the charity gala. “This will be a truly memorable event and we look forward to revealing further exciting developments we have

In association with Newbury College

www.promfair.org.uk