Exercise and wellbeing classes for young children combine for Bouncing Back Plus

Action for Children and Ospreys in the Community are developing and expanding their mental health programme, Bouncing Back to include physical activity for primary school children in years 5 and 6. Bouncing Back Plus will roll out in schools across the Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot area culminating in a big celebration event when all participating schools complete the programme.

Caryl Dyer, Action for Children’s Bouncing Back service coordinator, said: ‘As we mark World Mental Health Day, we’re so delighted we’re expanding the Bouncing Back programme with Ospreys in the Community as it’s been so well received across the UK. The link between physical activity and emotional wellbeing is well documented and will form the foundation of our new 2-part initiative. The first part will be classroom-based, led and delivered by trained and experienced mental health practitioners from Action for Children. The second part will see an Ospreys in the Community team conduct weekly physical activity sessions combining our passion for good mental health, wellbeing and physical activity.’

The programme is funded by the West Glamorgan Partnership and the classroom-based work will be an extension of the current Bouncing Back provision that will be bolstered by the Decider programme which covers cognitive as well as dialectal behavioural therapy. Four skillsets are covered in this part of the programme – distress tolerance, mindfulness, emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. Each pupil will receive a mental health first aid kit which will include resources to support the improvement in their emotional mental health.

Tom Sloane, from Ospreys in the Community, added: ‘Our partnership with Action for Children has really flourished and we’re thrilled to launch Bouncing Back Plus. We know only too well the benefits of exercising can have on your mental as well as physical health. Combining exercise with the proven mental health techniques used by Action for Children in the classroom can only benefit these children as they start to develop. We look forward to schools participating in this innovative programme and celebrating their achievements when Bouncing Back Plus concludes next year.’

If your school is interested in taking part in Bouncing Back Plus please contact Caryl Dyer on caryl.dyer@actionforchildren.org.uk