Mental Health Awareness Week last week saw the Trinity Project transform a Maths classroom in Croxley Danes school in Rickmansworth into a Wellbeing Wonderland, our first as a project.
What is a Wellbeing Wonderland?
Our hope is three-fold;
Students will find some of the weight that they carry is lifted off
Students have the opportunity to be listened to
Students begin to gather tools that enable them to discover how to build lasting calm.
Wellbeing Wonderlands transform a classroom space into pockets of activity that students can choose to engage with. Jigsaws, colouring, a quiet corner, games and plenty of snacks were on offer for the students that were invited in. There is intention around the set up to create spaces where students can choose to have their own space in a room of people. The Jigsaws and colouring enable this to happen really well as those walking in notice that the individual is focusing on a task and body language, or a suggestion from the Trinity Project Team, would reinforce that they'd like some space. The quiet corner is in a visible but tucked away space that enables students to sit on the floor on comfy cushions below the eye contact of others. This space can be particular helpful for students who find the new environment challenging and can watch for a while. Multiplayer cards games are set out in the center of the space inviting students to gather in groups if they wish to. A seating area with Wellbeing tools and a game is set up for those that wish to participate in some learning with the Trinity Project Team. Through the conversations we have in the space we can invite students over to this learning space. We set up the Wellbeing Wonderland in Lunchtime this time, however the space could be set up in a classroom that a year group could rotate around during the school day or form part of an off-timetable day.
What happened?
Students felt as ease within the space, evident by the way they found an activity they wanted engage with. Some staying with the jigsaws for the whole lunchtime and others moving within the classroom. I watched one young person take a seat beside our Marvel Jigsaws and spend the lunchtime focusing down on building each of them. When I moved over to welcome them into the space they looked up with delight as Marvel is one of their favourite things. For a moment we chatted about our favourite movies, I was reminded in that conversation that story is powerful and for this young person these movies have been a positive escape into another world. So for a few minutes on a Friday afternoon these jigsaws
grounded them in the present moment and provided joy and delight.
Conversations about the day, school, life and Marvel went on I perceived that gradually those in the room forgot they were at school in a sense and found a space to be. One young person taught me about their faith with great delight as it had come up in conversation that I was a Christian. They really enjoyed teaching me and a sense of pride grew in them as they listened to me and I listened to them. Another spent the time joining the dots on a complex flower pattern. They had focused down on this while the chatter and the noise bubbled in the background. As they got up to leave they asked if they could take it with them. It was for their mum.
Through the listening of the Trinity Project Team and their peers, any heaviness the students carried as they came into the room was lifted from their shoulders and shared for a while.
Teacher feedback
Staff came and went during the lunchtime, popping their heads in to see who had come and how their students were getting on. One teacher commented to me that she space was so calm. They noticed this by the atmosphere in the classroom, students had found a space to be, there was a lot of laughter and gentle chatter. There were over 20 students that journeyed within the wonderland that day but she was right, there was a sense of calm within the room despite the energy you might expect of a Friday Lunchtime inside. A further member of staff stayed a while and it was great to have the opportunity to speak with them about how their day was and whether knowing the students well they could see they were comfortable. They let me know that was the case.
All about the one
I can't even begin to capture all the moments I experienced within the lunch hour and I expect many more happened around me that I won't be able to put to paper.
I said earlier that our hope is that in engaging with the activities students will find some of the weight that they carry is lifted off, they have the opportunity to be listened to and they begin to gather tools that enable them to discover how to build lasting calm.
Space was made, moments of wonder created, Students and teachers listened to so I believe we were successful. Not because of the numbers, because if one came it would have been worth it, but because of the project team bringing God's presence by His peace into a school classroom. That is what for the Trinity Project made the difference.
Would you like to see a space like this in your school?
Would you like to create these spaces with us as part of the team?
Get in touch, I wonder where the next Wonderland will be?
Bless you,
Charlotte
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