According to the World Federation of Mental Health, one in four adults and one in ten children are likely to have a mental health problem in any given year. This can have a profound impact on their ability to sustain relationships, work, or to just get through the day. Felsted has recognised the importance of mental wellbeing by creating a Wellbeing Centre. Located right at the heart of the school, the Centre is a calming and relaxing place for pupils and members of the Felsted community to take time out for short periods during their busy day. The décor is purposefully natural, the furniture comfortable and relaxing, with a focus on a sensory experience.
The room will be used for PSHE (personal, social, health and economic) lessons and a number of activities associated with wellbeing so all pupils will become familiar with the environment. These activities might include Mindfulness, Counselling, Yoga, Pilates, Peer Counselling and Safeguarding training. The Wellbeing Centre will be a shared facility between the Senior School and the Prep School, looking after over 1000 pupils, 300 staff and parents.
The Centre is managed by Felsted’s Deputy Head, Counselling and Wellbeing, Mrs Karen Megahey, who will be based in the centre. She comments:
“Our aim is to create an oasis of tranquillity to give people the space they need to recharge their emotional batteries on a regular basis.”
The Wellbeing Centre not only has one large sensory room, but also two counselling rooms and a private meeting room that can be used by Felsted’s team of counsellors for one-to-one therapy sessions and therapeutic group work.
Headmaster, Chris Townsend, comments;
“Felsted is committed to promoting excellent emotional and mental health for all members of our community and our new Wellbeing Centre and Counselling Service will be a vital step in meeting these needs.”
The Centre will be opening officially next term, but is already in use with all pupils being introduced to the Wellbeing Centre through their PSHE lessons. Children are already taking advantage of the easy access Counselling Support which aims to provide fast and accessible intervention to prevent any on-going distress and long term problems.