Schools across Northern Trust area recognised for their commitment to wellbeing

Schools across the Northern Trust area have been recognised for their commitment to improving pupils’ wellbeing.

A total of 180 educational settings, including nursery, primary, post-primary, EOTAS (Education Otherwise Than At School), special schools and colleges, are now accredited as ‘Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing Schools’.

Pictured (from left) at the Take 5 schools celebration are Lindsey Shaw, Take 5 Schools Coordinator, Northern Trust Health and Wellbeing Team; Maurice Meehan, Strategic Lead for Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement (Starting Well), Public Health Agency; Julia Mierzwa, Programme Delivery Officer, Northern Trust Health and Wellbeing Team; Selena Ramsey, Health and Wellbeing Manager, Northern Trust Health and Wellbeing Team, and Leah Glass, Locality Lead, Northern Trust Health and Wellbeing Team.

placeholder image — Pictured (from left) at the Take 5 schools celebration are Lindsey Shaw, Take 5 Schools Coordinator, Northern Trust Health and Wellbeing Team; Maurice Meehan, Strategic Lead for Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement (Starting Well), Public Health Agency; Julia Mierzwa, Programme Delivery Officer, Northern Trust Health and Wellbeing Team; Selena Ramsey, Health and Wellbeing Manager, Northern Trust Health and Wellbeing Team, and Leah Glass, Locality Lead, Northern Trust Health and Wellbeing Team.

Lindsay Shaw from the Northern Trust’s Health and Wellbeing team, said: “This is our sixth year leading the initiative within the health and wellbeing team and we are delighted to see its growth.

"Each of the 180 schools have showed innovation and enthusiasm in bringing the model to life. The five steps, which encourage us to connect, be active, take notice, keep learning and give, are part of an evidence-based public health message aimed at improving wellbeing.

Representatives from schools across the Northern Trust area who have been recognised for their commitment to improving pupils’ wellbeing.

“Feedback from our schools has been very encouraging, and our celebration event was a chance to reflect on the positive impact this work is having on the wellbeing of school staff, children and young people across our area.”

At the event, Lydia McNeill from Macosquin Primary School spoke about their ideas and initiatives, generated by both pupils and staff, and the important role this has played in creating a supportive learning environment.

Bronagh McGreevy from St Louis Grammar School in Ballymena shared their journey which focused on the importance of staff wellbeing and embracing the Take 5 message as a framework.

Fiona McDowell and Carrie Starkey from Northern Regional College shared how Take 5 can be used to promote wellbeing in a college setting, and how student ambassadors, roadshows and campaigns were used to enhance engagement.