mdeducational foundation - prioritising student wellbeing
mdeducational foundation - home

Enabling educational settings to kickstart their long-term wellbeing strategy

Providing fully funded wellbeing support in schools and educational settings

mdeducational foundation is a charity normalising student psychological fitness and resilience through guidance and early intervention.

We provide a three-year salary-funded commitment to placing dedicated wellbeing professionals within post-16 educational settings across the UK and Ireland.

By funding the placement of Wellbeing Leads into post-16 settings, we’re enabling educational settings to kickstart their long-term wellbeing strategies and putting student wellbeing at the forefront of education.

Our purpose & work

mdeducational foundation - our mission

The mission of mdeducational foundation is for all post-16 students to feel supported in every aspect of their wellbeing, helping them on their journey to a brighter future

mdeducational foundation - our approach

We provide educational settings with the opportunity to receive salary funding for the placement of a Wellbeing Lead to support their post-16 students

mdeducational foundation - our impact

We’ve already seen a positive impact on young people’s wellbeing and our work is helping to raise awareness around the crucial issues surrounding the wellbeing of young people

Barney, Year 13 Student & Sixth Form Student President

”The support the Wellbeing Lead has given me has helped me approach exams and life stresses much more calmly. I always feel comfortable during a one-to-one session and approaching her for them. 

The Wellbeing Lead was able to correctly signpost me to the right support that I needed and was able to help me tackle any difficulties I may have had.

The activities and sessions in the Wellbeing Hub that the Wellbeing Lead organised provides calming activities for the sixth form students as well as a quiet communal space to relax alone or converse with friends.”

– Barney, Year 13 Student & Sixth Form Student President

Why our work is needed

1 in 4 young people in England have probable mental health disorder in 2022

young people in England have a probable mental health disorder in 2022

50% of UK teachers don't feel confident helping pupils with their mental health

of UK teachers don’t feel confident helping pupils with their mental health

1 in 8 young people in Northern Ireland experiences anxiety and depression

young people in Northern Ireland experience anxiety and depression

1 million children and young people in contact with Mental Health services by April 2022

children and young people had been in contact with mental health services by April 2022

More than 1 in 5 children in England has been persistently absent from school

children in England have been persistently absent from school

Learn more about mdeducational foundation

Our Mission

Our Mission

Wellbeing Leads

Wellbeing Leads

Meet the Team

Meet The Team

Our Founders

Our Founders

”From my own experience, and as a parent now, I know this can make a huge difference. Our healthcare system works on the premise that young people are “fine”, right up until the point where they have a mental health crisis – and it’s only then that support services step in. We wanted to change that path by offering much earlier intervention and support to try to stop young people from ever getting to that crisis point in the first place.”

– Tarquin Scadding-Hunt, Co-Founder at mdeducational foundation

Tarquin Scadding-Hunt, Co-Founder at mdeducational foundation

Read our latest news and blogs

See our latest posts

Student testimonial 🧡 To shed light on International Stress Awareness Week, one of our Wellbeing Leads shared what she thinks works best when it comes to helping young people manage and reduce stress: "I believe the best way to help my students is to begin by listening to them. It’s important to hear what they are trying to tell me. Listening allows me to see the areas that I need to focus on when sharing resources and providing support". The students in the schools we collaborate with are receiving much-needed support and guidance from our Wellbeing Leads when it comes to understanding, managing and reducing stress. By prioritising student wellbeing, we can help our young people thrive - through education and beyond! We also shared a blog with 3 workshop ideas to help students manage stress - head to our blogs via the link in our bio 🔗 #internationalstressawarenessweek #charity #stress #stressmanagement #mentalhealth
Little Companions 🐦🐢🦀 At Djanogly City Academy Sixth Form's Wellbeing Hub, students were busy participating in a creative workshop run by their wonderful Wellbeing Lead, Andrew. As always, the creativity shined bright as the Wellbeing Hub was filled with students' little companion creations including a Floral Turtle, Bublegoblin, Hermit Crab and Bird. You can see the wee bird companion featured during the day and at night as the student took it for a late-night walk to try to spot the recent aurora borealis! 🌠 Wellbeing Lead Andrew also participated in the workshop and created an octopus to cling to his laptop and make his desk more friendly 🐙 He shared with us: "These little companions were made using foam clay - a much lighter material than regular clay that feels spongy. It also doesn't make a mess. The workshop was intimate and fun, and students were encouraged to try and push themselves, even though they had no prior experience in modelling. What they realised was that they expected things to be much harder than they actually were. It's easy to use and students enjoyed getting creative and making small figures that they can take away with them to brighten up their days and nights." Learn more about what our Wellbeing Leads do to improve student wellbeing across the UK and Ireland via the link in our bio 🔗 #studentwellbeing #wellbeing #mentalhealth #workshop #wellbeingworkshop
Wellbeing Wednesday 🧡 Emotional resilience is the ability to adapt and bounce back from life’s challenges. Building this resilience helps us manage stress, maintain a positive outlook, and improve our overall wellbeing 🌟✨ Here are 3 ways to strengthen your emotional resilience: 🧡 Practice Self-Compassion - Be kind to yourself during difficult times. Self-compassion helps you recover more quickly and maintain a positive mindset 💖🌿 🧡 Build a Support Network - Surround yourself with supportive friends and family. Having a strong support system can provide comfort and encouragement when you need it most 🤗👥 🧡 Develop Coping Strategies - Learn and practice healthy coping mechanisms, such as mindfulness, exercise, or journaling. These strategies can help you navigate stress and build resilience 🧘‍♀️✍️ How do you build your emotional resilience? 💬 #wellbeingwednesday #wellbeing #mentalhealth #emotionalresilience
Charity Snapshot: mdeducational foundation receives an award 🏅 We are grateful to receive the McMillan Award for Ethos of @stmarysderry. We're honoured to receive such recognition and were incredibly proud to have our Senior Administrative Officer, Coleen McLaughlin, represent us and accept this award on our charity’s behalf. From our very first meeting with Principal Brendan McGinn, it was clear that student wellbeing is at the core of St Mary’s values. This shared commitment made our collaboration a perfect match. We are delighted that our support, through the school's Wellbeing Lead Emma’s dedicated work, will continue to benefit the students, helping them on their journey to a brighter future. Thank you, St Mary’s College, for this honour and your passionate commitment to prioritising student wellbeing through education and beyond 🌟 Learn more about our charity’s mission on our website via the link in our bio 🔗 #studentwellbeing #charity #nonprofit #education #wellbeing
Today, we celebrated the launch of the Wellbeing Hub at @stceciliascollegederry and proudly introduced their Wellbeing Lead, Caoimhe Watson! 🎉 Principal Mary-Jo O'Carolan opened the event by introducing the school and describing their efforts to ensure that all students are being cared for and supported to aspire, endeavour and achieve. She talked about the positive impact the Wellbeing Lead and the Wellbeing Hub together have had on their students and how this can clearly be seen from the heartening student feedback. Next, Caoimhe Watson, the school’s Wellbeing Lead, shared her journey in the role so far supporting post-16 students at the school. She’s been particularly pleased to be part of creating this welcoming safe space and continue to promote positive wellbeing to her students. As the Wellbeing Hub and her role are fully established now, she is looking forward to making an even bigger impact in supporting student wellbeing in the new academic year. Mia McDaid, Head Girl & Media Leadership Team, highlighted in her speech about the importance of the Wellbeing Hub as a peaceful haven for students and the numerous wellbeing activities helping them journey through sixth form. She expressed gratitude on behalf of her peers to the initiative for making a difference and to Caoimhe for her unwavering support. We were delighted to have Neil Guckian OBE, Health & Social Care @westernhsctrust CEO, join us as a guest speaker. He shared insights into the Trust’s work and how they deliver over 4 million interventions yearly. He also underlined the vital need for breaking the cycle of poor health in order to further support young people on their journey to adulthood. A special thanks to Mayor of Derry City & Strabane District Council Cllr @lilian_seenoi, staff, students and all the wonderful guests for joining us for this celebration 🎊🎈 Members of our team at mdeducational foundation, Deirdre Doherty, Director of Schools & Partnerships, and Coleen McLaughlin, Senior Administrative Officer, were as excited to be part of this brilliant day 💜 We continue to prioritise student wellbeing - Learn more via the link in our bio 🔗 #studentwellbeing #wellbeing
Sneak Peek: Getting ready for tomorrow! 👀🎈 Our team is on the ground in Northern Ireland, gearing up for an exciting launch event at @stceciliascollegederry. Caoimhe Watson, our dedicated Wellbeing Lead at the school, and Coleen McLaughlin, Senior Administrative Officer from our team have been busy today, ensuring everything is ready for a memorable day at the Wellbeing Hub 🎉 We’re thrilled to officially open the doors to the school's Wellbeing Hub and showcase the incredible impact Caoimhe has had on their students' wellbeing. Stay tuned for updates and highlights from this special event! ✨ #wellbeinghub #wellbeinglead #studentwellbeing #wellbeing #charity
Wellbeing Wednesday 🩷 Financial wellbeing is a key aspect of our overall health and happiness. Managing our finances effectively can reduce stress, increase security, and allow us to enjoy life more fully 🌟✨ Here are 3 ways to enhance your financial wellbeing: 🩷 Budget Wisely - Create a budget to track your income and expenses. This helps you manage your money better and plan for the future 📊💡 🩷 Save Regularly - Set aside a portion of your income for savings. Building a financial cushion can provide peace of mind and prepare you for unexpected expenses 💰📈 🩷 Educate Yourself - Learn about personal finance through books, courses, or financial advisors. Knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions and improve your financial health 📚🧠 How do you manage your financial wellbeing? 💬 #wellbeingwednesday #wellbeing #mentalhealth
Student testimonial 🧡 According to a report by Mental Health Champion for NI, 21% of 16-year-olds in Northern Ireland don’t know who to talk to about stress and worry. We know there is an urgent need for additional wellbeing support. These student testimonials highlight the importance of our charity's work and the impact of our amazing Wellbeing Leads, placed in schools and educational settings across the UK and Ireland, promoting positive wellbeing to young people. We recently shared two student case studies showcasing the impact of accessible wellbeing support - head to our blog via the link in our bio to read them 🔗 #education #charity #nonprofit #wellbeing #mentalhealth
Throwback Thursday 🔙 Last week was World Mental Health Day, and all across the UK and Ireland, our wonderful Wellbeing Leads were busy making a difference! 💚 At @stmarysderry, our amazing Wellbeing Lead, Emma, and the incredible students came together to celebrate the day with a variety of activities. Focusing on our mental health was at the heart of their efforts, and the day was filled with mindfulness workshops, creative activities, and moments of connection and reflection through many different sessions. We’re proud to see the impact of our efforts at the schools we collaborate with. Together, we can create a future where student mental health and wellbeing are valued and supported through education and beyond 💜 Follow our journey on social media as we continue to prioritise student wellbeing 📱 #WorldMentalHealthDay #mentalhealth #wellbeing #studentwellbeing #mentalhealthmatters
Wellbeing Wednesday 💜 Staying hydrated is essential for our overall health and wellbeing. Drinking adequate water throughout the day helps regulate body temperature, keep joints lubricated, and support vital organ functions. Remember, consistent hydration is key to feeling your best and staying active 💦 Here are 3 ways to build healthy hydration habits: 💜 Carry a water bottle - keep a personalised water bottle with you throughout the day. This makes it easier to stay hydrated wherever you go 🚰 💜 Set reminders - use alarms or apps to remind you to drink water regularly. Consistent reminders can help you develop a routine and ensure you’re drinking enough 🕒 💜 Add a refreshing twist - infuse your water with fruits, herbs, or a splash of juice. This can make drinking water more enjoyable and encourage you to drink more 🍓🍋 How do you stay hydrated throughout the day? 💬 #wellbeingwednesday #wellbeing #mentalhealth #hydration
Getting to Know You Jenga 💭🎲 Join us for this month’s Wellbeing Workshop, inspired by our Clinical Supervisor, Catherine. We’ll be playing “Getting to Know You Jenga,” a fun and practical way to get conversations going with students 📝 This simple yet impactful workshop involves writing prompts on each Jenga block. You can also have discussions with young people and let them write down their ideas and things that worry them. This way, the wording of the sentences will be approachable and provide a feeling of belonging to the students 🤝 After writing the prompts, play the game as you usually would, whilst getting to know students through the questions on each block. Playing Jenga with question prompts is a great conversation starter or just a relaxing game to play with friends in the Wellbeing Hub. Check out our blog for more workshop ideas on our website 🔗 #wellbeingworkshop #wellbeing #conversationstarters #workshop #mentalhealth
Empowering young people to take action 🧭 Today, we invited PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide to one of the schools we collaborate with to deliver a SPARK session for over 200 of their post-16 students. Thank you Steyning Grammar School in England, for welcoming PAPYRUS into your school to host this invaluable session 💜 The day was filled with back-to-back informative presentations to increase awareness amongst our young people on suicide and suicide prevention through Suicide Prevention Awareness, Resource & Knowledge. During the session PAPYRUS introduced their work to the students, shared tools for them to understand the importance of self-care and ways to empower a suicide-safer community. PAPYRUS offers a helpline called HOPELINE247; a free and confidential call, text, email and webchat service, which is available 24/7, every day of the year. HOPELINE247 is staffed by trained suicide prevention advisers to help keep young people safe from suicide. You can talk to them: - By calling 0800 068 4141 - By texting 88247 - By email pat@papyrus-uk.org - By webchat service You can also learn more on @papyrus_uk website mdeducational foundation is proud to continue our collaboration with PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide to ensure the promotion of positive wellbeing and support for our young people. We believe in the power of collaboration to create lasting impact and together we are shaping the future by pushing for change 🦋 #wellbeing #suicideprevention #mentalhealth #charity #education

Our partnerships and collaborations

Childline logo
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide logo
CYPMHC white logo
Ulster University logo
Pneuma Healthcare logo
mdeducational foundation logo white

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[email protected]

UK: +44 (0) 1273 254 130

IRE: +353 19 601 174

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