20th June 2024
A THAME optician has set its sights on supporting children with their mental wellbeing.
The team at Specsavers Thame are funding a project to create special kits which will be used in four local primary schools. The Cups Of Calm And More kits aim to bring mental health awareness and positive, effective coping skills into the classroom in an interactive, engaging, and easy to digest way. The schools benefiting from the kits are Barley Hill Primary School, John Hampden Primary School, Lord Williams Lower School, and St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School.
Cups Of Calm And More is the brainchild of Specsavers customer, ex early years teacher Mitch Pinkney. It was on a routine eye test visit that she got talking with a Specsavers store director, who was so impressed by her story and passion for the cause, that he wanted to support her in her quest of helping more young children manage their emotional wellbeing.
‘Lots of schools are experiencing high cases of anxiety and mental health issues in the classroom and, with pressures on resources, we know that it’s an issue that needs support,’ comments Specsavers Thame store director, Nishita Chauhan.
‘We hope that our partnership with Mitch will provide some much-needed and effective resources for children and teaching staff - giving them the support, strategies, skills and confidence to manage their emotions and wellbeing.’
Mitch first started making resources solely for her son when she wanted to help him manage his feelings and discovered a severe shortage of products on the market. Her resources are well researched and bring together her expertise and knowledge of how children learn best, combined with the most recommended, science-based, evidence-backed advice, strategies, and techniques from mental health experts.
‘I strongly believe that if children are effectively supported at an early age with their mental health and emotions, and they have the knowledge, language, and skills to express and manage them, all other areas of their development will thrive and flourish. Mental health is as important as our physical health,’ she says.
The Cups Of Calm And More packs are easy-to-use, ready-to-go kits complete with a lesson plan and advice sheet that links to the National Curriculum.
For more information or to book a sight or hearing test, call Specsavers Thame on 01844 394765 or go to https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/thame.
To find out more about Mitch’s work visit www.cupsofcalmandmore.co.uk or Instagram; @cups_of_calm _and_more.
