TOPIC OF THE WEEK

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Within this section a topical subject matter is covered each week, whether taken from the likes of the world’s media or through the requests of the reader by emailing: admin@hands2gether.co.uk.

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Our topic this week covers:

Schools and communities across the UK ‘connect’ for Children’s Mental Health Week 2023 and raise over  £82,000 for Place2Be

The theme of Children’s Mental Health Week 2023 was Let’s Connect, and people across the country were encouraged to make healthy, rewarding, and meaningful connections

Place2Be recently released new data which revealed that 78% of young people seen by a Place2Be counsellors within the last year have experienced anxiety in social situations. The data also showed that 65% of children and young people seen in the last year had difficulties interacting with their classmates.

A lack of meaningful connection is a key driver in loneliness and anxiety, so it is important that young people establish friendships which can allow them to support one another. Here you will find tips for parents and carers on how to support children to make friends.

The importance of connection

Place2Be is supported by a number of celebrities across TV, film, radio and sport, some of whom opened up on the importance of connection in the How we connect: in conversation with Josh Smith series, which saw secondary school students share their experiences of social media, the pandemic, friendships and more.

Meanwhile stars Dermot O’Leary, Clara Amfo, and Big Zuu reflected on how they connect with others in the BAFTA’s Let’s Connect series.  Whilst Place2Be Ambassadors and Champions Paloma Faith, Rhys Stephenson, Kate Silverton and Ricky Martin championed the week on their social media channels.  In fact, social media was overwhelmed by the support for children’s mental health week, including posts and activities from Premier League football teams Manchester United and West Ham United, rugby union club Sale Sharks and Basketball England.  Even England football captain Harry Kane shared a series of posts promoting Place2Be’s tips and advice.

To find out more about how Place2Be support children and young people’s mental health, including how leaders from across the sector ‘penned’ a letter to The Telegraph calling on decision makers to be ambitious and devise a long-term plan for the wellbeing of all of our children and young people, please visit the Place2Be website here,

Last year saw Children’s Mental Health Week celebrate National Safer Internet Use Day and took on the theme of ‘Growing Together’, which focused on all aspects of kindness such as the impact of kindness on our physical and mental health, the importance of self-kindness, and how kindness can help us connect with others, all of which can be discovered by visiting The School of Kindness

For further information on safer internet use, the NSPCC have a dedicated website for everything ‘Net Awareness’ : Keeping children safe online, here you can find a helpful parental guide to social networks, apps and games including links to a host of useful tips on everything from the effect of social media on children, to supporting your child’s online wellbeing. 

If you require further help and support please use one of the dedicated contacts below:

Worried about online grooming or sexual behaviour online? Contact: CEOP Safety Centre

Have you discovered criminal content online? Report it to the Internet Watch Foundation

If you feel overwhelmed talking about staying safe online – especially when your children are using the internet differently to you, there is advice and support available from setting up parental controls to advice on sexting, online games and video apps, which can be accessed through the guide How to start talking to your child about online safety

NSPCC offer free webinars for groups of parents and carers, making it easy for you to keep your family safe online, to book a place email: parentworkshops@nspcc.org.uk

Get expert risk ratings and age recommendations on reviewed apps, sites and games, as NSPCC provide a safety and support rating to help parents make informed decisions, visit Net Aware.

Whatever your worry you can contact NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or email: help@nspcc.org.uk, there is also an online form, where you can request advice and support from safeguarding experts.

 

To ensure you hear about Children’s Mental Health Week 2024 please subscribe to Hands2gether here

 

 

 

 

This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. Rebecca

    Incredibly useful guides and information on how to deal with too much screen time and how to monitor content. So far I have complete trust in my children, however I guess the message here is that even when you have faith because your kids are good by nature, you should still monitor their content. Every child is capable of being manipulated, particularly through their younger years when they have less of an understanding. I’m really interested to hear how others deal with this virtual world we live in? Although we are strict with screen time I definitely don’t monitor as much as I should, I will be now though!

  2. I wanted to thank you for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoyed every bit of it. I have got you book-marked to check out new things you postÖ

  3. Elizabeth_Andrew

    There are some great links here for anyone struggling with how to manage screen time and internet safety 🙂

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