Wellbeing Ambassadors Supporting Students

A dedicated group of students from across the school have put themselves forward as Wellbeing Ambassadors offering peer-to-peer support to fellow pupils. Led by Biology and Psychology teacher, Jo Toovey, the ambassadors were chosen following a rigorous application process to create a group with diverse outlooks and a range of skills. The Wellbeing Ambassadors share a commitment to supporting the community by providing scheduled times when they are each available. Students in any year group can use the information displayed on posters around the school to find an ambassador and discuss their anxieties about any topic. The Wellbeing Ambassadors have undertaken training to ensure they are active listeners able to provide impartial support. Their role is to engage and to listen and if needed to help signpost their fellow students to the most appropriate resources for additional help. Having completed a basic level of safeguarding training the ambassadors are clear about their remit, but the value of a sympathetic ear should not be underestimated. There are many students in need of a kind listener and sometimes a fellow pupil from a different friendship group or another year is exactly what they are seeking to provide an alternative perspective.

Many of the conversations that the Wellbeing Ambassadors have shared so far involve loneliness, gender or issues around eating. Some of their weekly meeting times have been used to discuss how to tackle these topics effectively when approached and this has included the creation of resources to be shared with the whole school during Tutor Time.

“The group is a positive one generally,” commented Jo, “Some students are not confident about talking to a teacher; they are concerned that they might not relate. Students can really help by being an ear to listen and offer basic advice.”

Dominic (Year 10) reflected, “Our presence has helped changed the stigma around seeking help. Students need to feel there is someone there so they don’t resort to negative behaviours. It’s really important to speak out, but also to try to eliminate the kind of emotive language like ‘I just wanna die’ in conversation, which is terminology that just doesn’t help people who are struggling.”