‘My Voice Matters’ – Children’s Mental Health Week
We’re proud to be taking part in Place2Be’s #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek (5-11 February 2024). This year’s theme is My Voice Matters, and @Place2Be hopes to empower, equip and give a voice to every child in the UK. They've highlighted 10 ways that you can look after your mental health... Top tips for young people Don’t keep it all to yourself and spend too much time in your own head. This can sometimes make it keep piling up, and make you feel worse. Talk to someone you trust and feel comfortable with– a teacher, parent, sibling, cousin, friend... if [...]
New opportunity – VI Wellbeing and Work in Liverpool
Jigsaw Coaching CIC have two Liverpool-based programmes for young people with a vision impairment - 'VI Wellbeing and Work' and 'Creatability'. VI Wellbeing and Work Are you interested in moving towards employment, volunteering or training? If you have a vision impairment and live in Liverpool, you can benefit from Jigsaw Coaching's Wellbeing and Work project. Regular employment clinics 1:1 coaching Peer support workshops with guest speakers Links to primary care for mental health support Training on digital skills Connections with employers Networking opportunities Quotes from past projects: “Made me realise my skills would be useful [...]
Things that make me feel joyful
A poem by Mahalia Creft The blue-purple hue of an early early morning as I lay twisted up in yellow with my eyes just barely open. The taste of chocolate melding deep into the corners of my taste-buds as I sneak a stray biscuit before mum brings in a “proper” breakfast. The feel of a warm plate on my lap when the sun is at its highest point and my belly is at its largest. The scent of something sweet, ringing melodically in my nostrils and my throat. The sound of music that I hear, caressing the innards [...]
So, how long do you think it will take to get the book finished?
By Mahalia Creft “So, how long do you think it will take to get the book finished?” I tried my very best not to freeze as the realisation dawned on me… ooooohhhh they actually want me to write a book. This was the reaction I had after attending an information evening targeted at helping individuals start their own business. I had made the mistake of thinking this information evening was like most others I had attended, in which you sit for an hour, maybe an hour and a half while some guy whose internet connection keeps dropping out [...]
Advice to my past self: lessons I have learnt over the last year
By Grace Hill I remember it clear as a bell. The date was 16 March 2022. The time was around 3pm. I was on my bed going about a normal day with KISS FM on. Or at least that was what I thought until one particular artist came on. That might not sound like a big thing to most people... often when we have music on it is just to keep us entertained while we do something else like cleaning our rooms or studying. And that day I was no different. But when this particular artist came on [...]
Creating the life you want
By Natalia Foster “…things don’t have to be perfect to be strong.” ~ Daisy Jones & The Six, Taylor Jenkins Reid The idea of perfection; something that is seen to bring bliss like no other. I’m unsure about you, dear reader, but a portion of my day can be spent daydreaming about what I wish my life looked like. Whether that be the routine I have, the friends I know, or how I choose to spend my time. And recently, I’ve grown to realise that I can in fact, have that life, or at least a part of [...]
Let’s connect for Children’s Mental Health Week
Children’s Mental Health Week 2023 (CMHW) will take place from 6-12 February 2023. This year’s theme is Let’s Connect. There are lots of ways you can get involved, here are some of our favourites! Fun activity suggestions from CMHW... Class connections One to try at school - look at the different ways you are connected to your classmates. Download the activity sheet Hula hoop connections Test your team work skills by trying this fun activity with your friends or family and some hula hoops. Download the activity sheet Music that connects [...]
Reach Out for Anti-Bullying Week 2022
VICTA is proud to be a member of the Anti-Bullying Alliance and from Monday 14 to Friday 18 November we'll be helping to celebrate Anti-Bullying Week 2022. Join in with us on the VICTA Student Portal to highlight this hugely important issue and encourage others to Reach Out. Reach Out The theme this year is Reach Out, chosen to encourage young people to feel empowered to do something positive to counter the harm and hurt that bullying causes. How has somebody reached out to you? Comment on this post or email students@victa.org.uk to let us know if somebody [...]
Life in music: songs and lyrics that help me spill my brain
VICTA Young Ambassador Grace Hill has found her love of music, lyrics and song writing has played a key part in supporting her mental health. Finding a lyric you relate to can bring a sense of shared understanding. Grace shares with us the songs that mean the most to her and the reason they resonate with her. We'd like you to add to Grace's playlist by sharing the songs that have had a positive impact on your mental health. We've saved Grace's choices as a playlist on our YouTube channel so that you can listen to them and we'd [...]
World Mental Health Day 2022
Making mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority 10 October 2022 is World Mental Health Day and Mental Health UK are asking you to look after ‘Number 1’ when it comes to your mental health. So we want to know - what steps are you taking to make mental health your Number 1 priority? It could be taking a walk every day, taking time to talk to your family, a VICTA activity you've been a part of, or a creative activity that relaxes you. Share yours in the form below and we'll share them here [...]
