These weekly newsletters will help you to support families, children and young people during the Coronavirus period with opportunities to follow the 5 Ways for Wellbeing:
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Keep learning
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Connect
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Take notice
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Give
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Be active
Through this period of change and difference, when we are all asked to stay alert to the coronavirus, we are supporting this by, sending out bulletins to help everyone stay Healthy, Happy and Safe.
Each Bulletin will focus on 1 of the the 5 ways to wellbeing and is linked with our partner website
www.healthysomerset.co.uk/covid-19
Please click on the blue links below to access this bulletins items
Advice & Tips
As we continue to be alert and maintain social distancing this could be an opportunity to engage or re-engage with learning. Continued learning through life helps to enhance self-esteem, encourages social interaction and supports us to keep a more active life.
The Triune Brain
Learning about emotions, neuroscience and the brain can help us maintain positive relationships at home and at school or work
This short video clip from the Trauma Recovery Centre shows children sharing information in a simple way to help us understand emotions and their link to the brain
Mindful Emotion Coaching is about building emotional resilience by talking about emotions behind behaviours and understanding the neuroscience of brain development, the biology of stress and mindful awareness. Learning to manage our emotions protects us and our children from developing behavioural and mental health difficulties.
Learn about the world of emotions through Emotion Coaching with this free online learning module from EHCAP - Here
We all need to learn to look after ourselves better including our physical and mental health - particularly in stressful times. This excellent booklet has been created by Mendip Health Connections and it includes support for -
- Beating Corona anxiety
- Struggling to cope
- Wellbeing plan
- Supporting young people
- Working well from home
- Five steps to helping others and lots more
COVID 19 public info a5 booklet.pdf
National Smile Month
The campaign running from 18th May - 18th June, encourages us all to join in and share positive oral health messages, improving the quality of smiles all around the world.
Key messages
- Brush your teeth last thing at night and on at least one other occasion with a fluoride toothpaste
- Cut down on how much sugary food and drink you have, and how often you have them
- Visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend
https://www.dentalhealth.org/what-is-national-smile-month
Mental Wellbeing Lifehacks for coping with Covid-19 No 8: Branch out creatively
Finding time to do activities that you enjoy such as art, poetry or movement, can really help you get more out of life and think less about your problems. Doing these activities is NOT time-wasting as they are an important part of keeping your life in balance. Allow yourself time to create new things or maybe trying to develop a new skill? Crochet? Guitar? Cartooning? Origami? Yoga?
The Open University offers many free online learning courses.
Here you can explore topics and subjects which are of true interest for you
The mix have put together 10 fun things to do whilst at home. Take a look and see if you could give any of these a go
You may like to try the Big Night In's Keep Dancing Challenge Routine
Have a go Here
Activities and Ideas
Learning something new each day can be really good for our wellbeing, as it helps us view the world from a range of perspectives, makes it easier to adapt to new situations and inspires creativity within us.
Learning includes being creative -
We have put together some ideas to get you started, take a look Here
Enjoy Somerset Libraries online resources including free downloadable books, audiobooks and even magazines.
You can still become a member of Somerset Libraries while our libraries are temporarily closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Just register on the Libraries West website to receive your membership number
Why not have a go at learning a few key words or simple sentences of a foreign language? This website provides a chance to learn different languages for free Duolingo
This resource from ELSA support offers a game and is a great way to learn something from the children and young people around you - What will you learn during this game?
World Bee Day - 20th May - Why not take some time to learn about bees and have a go at the SASP Busy Bee's Activities Here.
DESIGN A SWIMMING CAP COMPETITION
Learning to swim or enjoying swimming is not available at the moment but we think they'll have just as much fun out of the water by designing their own swimming cap! For your child's chance to win their design on 5 caps plus Speedo goodies:
- Click Here to download and print an entry form
- Have your child design their own cap using no more than 4 colours
- Post a photo of their design on Instagram tagging @Better_UK with #designmycap
The Competition is open to UK residents aged 5-16 years. Entries close Friday 5th June 2020.
Winner will be decided by online public vote and contacted Monday 8th June 2020.
More information and Full terms & Conditions are available through the website:
www.better.org.uk/what-we-offer/activities/exercise-at-home
Weblinks and Apps 
Somerset Parent Carer Forum (SPCF) would be delighted to welcome any parent, grandparent or foster parent to engage with the Forum regarding their child or young person regardless of their disabilities; these may range from complex medical needs to challenging behaviour, learning or physical difficulties.
Please take a look through their website - somersetparentcarerforum.org.uk
SPCF are also offering online coffee mornings which can be accessed through the details Here
Somerset Parent Carer Forum - Helpline
SPCF is an independent not for profit Community Interest Company formed by parent carers in 2016. The forum feels passionately about ensuring all our children have the best chance in life and receive the correct support and services in order to achieve their full potential.
The forum are offering parents the opportunity to call into a helpline if they need support during the Coronavirus.
The helpline is available:
Tuesday 10-12
Wednesday 10-12
Thursday 12-2
Tel: 01458 259384
Listen to a podcast or watch a video to learn something new and boost your wellbeing. Action for Happiness offers podcasts to support happiness - you can listen Here
Roshane shares how creativity helped him to express his emotions. He will then shares a list of creative activities you could do to help your own mental health.
Learn how to keep safe online
Net-Aware brings together the NSPCC's expertise in protecting children and O2's tech know-how.
For more tips and Advice from Net Aware see Here
Mindful opportunities
If Mindfulness is new for you - Why not join with Smiling Mind who are launching a Mindful Month throughout June.
From 1 June, you’ll have access to a free, in-app, month-long movement to help you start fostering a routine to proactively look after your mental health. Join Here
Learn ways to help increase your happiness with Action for happiness free 10 days happiness training -
10 days of happiness
What does it take to live a happier life? Learn research-tested strategies that you can put into practice today.
