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What We Did
As part of the Bachelor of Health Sciences degree, students enrolled in HLED 122 Building Resilience explored the science of wellbeing. They developed an interactive learning experience to support a whole-school approach to children's mental wellness. Students worked with a local school to understand student needs and the school's values that foster wellbeing. The UC students then created an interactive 'Wellbeing Amble' linked to the school values and fostered a greater understanding of the tools children can draw on when facing everyday life challenges. Based on research-informed models of wellbeing, UC students created five stations that provided practical strategies for strengthening mental wellness and enhancing relationships. These included aspects such as; recognising and managing emotions, effective breathing to manage stressful situations, relaxation techniques, understanding gratitude, and ways to manage unhelpful thinking. A workbook was created that linked to the NZC, and further supported ongoing learning through engaging with whanau.
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Who Was Involved
In 2020 and 2021 students connected with Ilam primary school staff and the All Right? Team. Students have organised a similar event as part of the Christchurch walking festival in the Christchurch Botanical gardens in previous years. They worked with the Christchurch City Council, Botanical garden staff, and The Breeze radio station.
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Why It Matters
Student wellbeing is strongly linked to learning and feelings of connectedness. Through this project, UC students build connections and learn to collaborate with other students while giving back to their local community. UC students develop the skills of planning and implementing wellbeing theory into practice. The opportunity for UC students to work with children and teachers builds confidence and strengthens the ability to practice facilitation and communication skills. In return, schools are supported with interactive ideas and resources that support innovative ways of embedding wellbeing through a whole-school approach. Most importantly, this project raises awareness of mental health as a resource for life.
