• ·         For me I feel a sense of belonging in an interactive space where I can find, friendship and ‘purpose-‘not being in isolation.

  ·         A space where there’s no pressure, and mutuality in friendship mutuality gives me a  sense of belonging

  ·         I need to finding people I can relate to and environments I can be a part of .

•       Joining or finding clubs is a great way to find your place! Whether it’s sports, music or even joining a band - music/ band.

•       Doing things as a group is really important but its even better having a say and being able to make choices within any social group 

  ·         ‘belonging’  could be anywhere- at home in your bedroom, in school or your community with friends

  ·         Sometimes it’s hard to control so just ‘be in the moment’ don’t try to run away from something or run toward something. Find contentment in the moment

  ·         Ideally, for mental health reasons there should be a sense of safety and common ground

  ·         I feel belonging in nature when I'm outside its good for me and calming

   

•    Accept yourself as you are and don’t be pressured by others to change
•    Don’t accept criticism about the way you look and don’t feel guilty because someone thinks you need to look a certain way 
•    Be true to yourself

·         Look out for others, include others, and be kind

·         Learn to empathise better and try not to judge

·         If you notice someone being made unhappy by others consider becoming an Active Bystander

•         Adults need to listen and hear their children and young people better. Its sometimes hard for parents as they assume they know best, or worry too much so they’re not able to really hear us.
•        Teachers have so much to do, they might just get used to everyday bullying and racist, homophobic or sexist behaviour and language. I think these things need to be taken more seriously and there should be safe spaces in school and safe conversations.
•         More could be done to raise awareness with parents and teachers about how to talk to and listen to young people and clear up some basic understanding of how we may easily be silenced or made to feel bad if we ask for help. If we don’t feel safe to talk or we’re scared we’ll be judged or punished, and we may end up feeling like we don't belong.       
•     I think its just about open communication without judgement or assumptions       
•     For adults to REALLY listen
•        Educate around mental health and wellbeing- not make assumptions, give space, don’t threaten, confine, restrict and punish -or be too pushy
•        Promote and raise awareness about belonging, inclusion and respect in schools and the community
•        I think adults forget how to empathise with young people sometimes

• Adopt a 'whole school approach' to health and wellbeing that includes everyone in your school community.
• Collectively create a shared understanding of what wellbeing means for your setting. 
• Seek regular feedback from pupils, staff and parents to understand their views.
• Develop a sense of belonging to the school environment so that everyone feels they have a role in keeping it safe, attractive, calm & a good place to learn.
• Promote participation in group activities, creative interests, specific roles, clubs and team building skills.
• Create support systems where children, young people, staff and families are able to support each other in a safe and non-judgemental way
• Promote inclusion by valuing diversity as a strength, treating everyone as a unique individual, teaching about culture and modelling positive attitudes to diversity.

• Begin with an activity that explores the definition of 'belonging'. Young children may need to explore this alongside an adult because it may not be a term they are familiar. 
• Get staff and pupils to describe a time when they felt a sense of 'belonging'. Ideas might be at home, in their family, with friends, at a club, in their class, etc. These ideas can be recorded as annotated drawings, spoken or as a written activity.  
• Name some of the feelings that a sense of belonging conjures up. Your school may want to share these ideas across the community of the school with a display called 'Exploring a Sense of Belonging'. Ask other children, staff and families to add their thoughts and ideas to the display.
• Get staff and children to talk about the places in the school where they feel they belong (safe, happy, connected with others, valued, etc.). Maybe take photos of these places to share and display. Why do those places make us feel this way?
• Are there places in the school where children and staff feel less safe, valued and happy? 
• Belonging is also associated with a sense of purpose and feeling valued for our achievements, however small. Explore with staff and pupils the things that they enjoy doing. List as many things as they can think of. Get children/young people to partner up and share with each other the things they enjoy.  Build in gratitude time for children and staff to praise each other for the things they do.
• Share all the information about belonging through assemblies, parents evenings, notice boards and the school website. 
• Celebrate where your school is achieving a sense of belonging for all pupils.

School Support for Emotional Mental Health and Wellbeing

In partnership with Young Somerset and services across the local area, we have developed this local resource to help schools identify and access the most appropriate support at the right time for their learners.

This webpage also contains a signposting flier for families and young people helping them to access support, advice and information when they need it.

Somerset Emotional And Mental Health Support

This page includes the Somerset School Nursing Service, Young Somerset Mental Health Support Teams and Community Wellbeing Service, Kooth and many more.

Available as a download here - A4Poster MyPlace WithHashtag.pdf

Somerset 2bu - At 2BU, we’re here for you.

Our support groups, one-to-one mentoring, and welcoming spaces are designed to help you feel accepted, understood, and confident in who you are. Whether you’re exploring your identity, looking for a sense of belonging, or just need someone to talk to, 2BU is a place where you can be yourself.

Together, we’ll celebrate your journey, support your growth, and empower you to thrive in your community. You’re not alone, 2BU is here to help you every step of the way. Young People | 2BU Somerset

Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership (SASP) 

We all know that our body and mind is connected. Getting active not only helps our physical body, it also helps our mental health keep in shape too.

SASP provide a range of activities for all ages and all levels of fitness across the County. Their offer also includes the Happy, Healthy, Holidays programmes.

Helping develop a sense of belonging through activity and sport - Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership - Active Children & Young People (sasp.co.uk)

Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We're here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Call 116 123 for free

Other ways to get in contact are available through the website - Samaritans | Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy | Here to listen

The UK’s largest mental health support directory. Whether you want to find a service to help you feel better or you want to support someone who is struggling, Hub of Hope can help - Mental Health Support Network provided by Chasing the Stigma | Hub of hope

Action for Happiness brings people together and provides practical resources. We help each other learn evidence-based skills for happier living, feel a sense of belonging and commit to personal action to create more happiness, for ourselves and others. Happier Kinder Together | Action for Happiness

Share the Action for Happiness calendar to help start conversations for a friendlier February -  Friendly February | Action for Happiness

For Practitioners

Public Health free training programmes for Somerset Schools, Colleges and Children & Young People Practitioners

Our training supports settings developing their whole school or college approach through the 8 key principles.

Looking after ourselves is essential for looking after others. Engaging with training and CPD can support our own and staff wellbeing as well as those we care for.

Take a look at our training menu for registration and further details: Somerset children & young people : Health & Wellbeing Training Menu

Training offer includes - 

• • Mental Health First Aid (Youth) 2 day face to face and 1/2 day virtual

  • Senor Mental Health Leads Networks and Supervision

  • Relationships and sex education (sessions for education settings and Parents and Carers) 

For Trauma Informed Somerset Training, please visit - Trauma Informed Somerset

For Young People

Young People and Their Mental Health course has been created for young people aged over 14 wanting to know more about mental health.

This course is free to access and might also be of interest to parents, caregivers, teachers and medical professionals - www.futurelearn.com/courses/young-people-mental-health

For Parents, Carers and Families

Are you a parent or carer who is concerned about the mental health of your child or teenager?

Do you just want some hints and tips on parenting?

MindEd for Families has advice and information from trusted experts and will help you to understand what problems occur, what you can do to best support your family, and how to take care of yourself. MindEd for Families is written by a team of specialists and parents, working together. You do not need to register to use these resources.

MindEd For Families