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

”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 - headshot

Read our latest news and blogs

See our latest posts

23% of young people who have experienced trauma reported feeling that their issues weren’t significant enough to seek mental health support 🔹

These numbers prove that now more than ever, intervention is needed to support the mental health and overall wellbeing of our young people. 

We remain committed to ensuring that young people have access to a dedicated wellbeing professional and a safe, non-judgemental space to go to seek support - without delay. Our Wellbeing Leads support students’ wellbeing by normalising student psychological fitness and resilience through guidance and early intervention. Through the delivery of a wellbeing curriculum, our Wellbeing Leads are providing students with crucial support to equip them with tools and strategies to develop their own life skills and emotional and intelligence resilience, helping them on their journey to a brighter future.

We are pioneering a future for better wellbeing for young people so they are more empowered, no matter what their challenges are. 

Learn more about how we do it via the links in our bio ⬆️

🔹Supporting young people — with a focus on trauma, @mindcharity & Andthen, 2021

#wellbeing #education #youngpeople #studentwellbeing #mentalhealth
The joy of pebble painting 🎨🖌️

Did you know that today is World Smile Day? A day dedicated to smiles, acts of kindness and making others smile 😊

At mdeducational foundation, we know that pebble painting is one of those activities that bring smiles to students' faces time after time. This creative and fun activity continues to be one of the student favourites at Wellbeing Hubs and it can bring benefits like connecting with others, reducing stress and increasing mindfulness ✨

In this photo, our wonderful Wellbeing Lead, Caoimhe (@caoimhewatsoncounselling), is putting smiles on her students' faces as she hosts a pebble painting session at her cosy Wellbeing Hub at @stceciliascollegederry 🛋️

We continue our mission for all post-16 students to feel supported in every aspect of their wellbeing, helping them on their journey to a brighter future - learn more via the link in our bio 🔗

#wellbeing #mentalhealth #studentwellbeing #charity #education
Charity Snapshot: Fostering Supervision in an Uncertain World with BACP 📸

As an accredited member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists, our Clinical Supervisor Catherine who aligns with their ethical framework and professional standards, had the opportunity to attend the Supervisors Event in Bristol last week. The event offered an opportunity to network with other clinical supervisors across the country and attend sessions with keynote speakers and seminars on various subjects related to clinical supervision. The event explored the evolving challenges and responsibilities of clinical supervision in today's rapidly changing world, with a strong emphasis on working with fear and navigating uncertainty.

Catherine stated “For me, there was an opportunity to potentially consider new tools and strategies to adapt within my practice, to continue to meet the needs of current supervisees, namely the Wellbeing Leads funded by mdeducational foundation. Through a series of keynote addresses, panel discussions, and specialised seminars, I was able to reflect on my practice, listen to new perspectives and consider how to adopt some of those new ideas, as well as share experiences with other clinical supervisors, whilst holding the ethical framework at the centre.

A couple of highlights were the session ‘An Introduction to AI for Supervisors’ – providing supervisors with foundational knowledge and practical insight into the ever-evolving world of artificial intelligence and its potential impact and ethical considerations for counsellors and supervisors alike. Another highlight was the session on Supervising Children, Young People & Families (CYPF) practitioners hosted by Jeanine Connor. Together we were able to consider the supervision needs of CYPF practitioners along with the challenges and ethical dilemmas that may typically arise when working with CYPF, focusing on confidentiality and information sharing, safeguarding and managing risk. All essential topics to consider when working with young people, and useful to share good practice through discussion of the topical issue affecting them in today’s changing world.”

#wellbeing #mentalhealth
Wellbeing Wednesday 💙

Setting healthy boundaries is crucial for maintaining our mental and emotional wellbeing. Boundaries help us protect our energy, respect our limits, and foster healthier relationships 🤝

Here are 3 ways to establish healthy boundaries:
💙 Communicate clearly - express your needs and limits openly and honestly with others. Clear communication helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures your boundaries are respected 🗣️

💙 Prioritise self-care - make time for activities that recharge you and respect your personal space. Prioritising self-care reinforces your boundaries and promotes overall wellbeing ‍🌿

💙 Learn to say no - understand that it’s okay to decline requests that overextend you. Saying no when necessary protects your time and energy, allowing you to focus on what truly matters 🚫

How do you set and maintain healthy boundaries? 💬

#wellbeingwednesday #wellbeing #mentalhealth #boundaries
Mindfulness Sessions at the Wellbeing Hub 🧘

"I think the workshop was helpful in calming me down and making me feel more relaxed as I wasn’t as stressed when I left compared to when I came in" - a student participant

Our wonderful Wellbeing Leads run various programmes in their Wellbeing Hubs to support student wellbeing. One of them is mindfulness workshops, showcasing what mindfulness means and how you can practice mindfulness exercises ✨

One of our amazing Wellbeing Leads, Caoimhe (@caoimhewatsoncounselling) from @stceciliascollegederry, just hosted a session for her students to learn about mindfulness, how it can impact us, and shared and tried different exercises, such as Mindfulness Meditation 🧘

"The session was very informative and has taught me helpful ways to cope with stress, helped me to understand stress a bit more" - another student's thoughts on a mindfulness workshop

Visit our website to learn more about how our charity is prioritising student wellbeing - link in our bio 🔗

#wellbeing #studentwellbeing #mindfulness #workshop #wellbeingworkshop
Wellbeing Wednesday ❤️

Reflecting on our goals and adjusting them as needed is essential for maintaining balance and wellbeing. This practice helps us stay aligned with our current needs and circumstances, promoting a healthier and happier life ✨

Here are 3 ways to reflect and adjust your goals: 
❤️ Regular check-ins - set aside time each week to review your progress and reflect on what’s working and what’s not. This helps you stay on track and make necessary adjustments 🗓️

❤️ Be flexible - allow yourself to adapt your goals as your needs and circumstances change. Flexibility ensures your goals remain relevant and achievable 🔄

❤️ Celebrate progress - acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. This boosts motivation and reinforces positive habits 🎉

How do you reflect and adjust your goals? 💬

#wellbeingwednesday #wellbeing #mentalhealth
Today, we joyfully launched the Djanogly City Academy Sixth Form Wellbeing Hub and proudly introduced their Wellbeing Lead, Andrew Bould!🐝

Andrew started by sharing his pure passion and devotion for working as a Wellbeing Lead and setting the stage to showcase the importance and impact of his work in supporting young people with their wellbeing.

To follow, the Director of Sixth Form Joseph Irons, highlighted the school’s efforts to help students thrive and their mindset shift towards proactive wellbeing support. They’ve seen the benefits of early intervention, supporting their students before they reach a crisis point. This approach has come to life through our collaboration with the school and the fully-funded placement of a dedicated Wellbeing Lead.

Shova Bhandari, Student & Senior Leadership Team for Wellbeing, shared her heartfelt story of how her education was deeply impacted due to regular panic attacks that made drastic barriers to her school attendance and finding the right person to talk to. Shova shared that these barriers have since been broken thanks to accessible wellbeing support. Through the combined intervention of the Wellbeing Lead’s help and the Wellbeing Hub’s comfort, she rediscovered her ability to achieve and access her education. Sharing this empowering story and as an inspiring role model for her fellow students, Shova is now on a thriving path to studying law.

We were delighted to have Fabienne Vailes, UK expert on emotional and mental wellbeing within the education sector, join us as a guest speaker. She delivered an interactive session, where our guests participated in a discussion about the true meaning of the word ‘wellbeing’ with a focus on the importance of ‘flourishing’🌻 

A special thanks to the Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Cllr Carole McCulloch (@mynottingham), 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 Susanna Neuvonen, Marketing Executive, were thrilled to be part of this fantastic day💜 

We continue to prioritise student wellbeing - Learn more via the link in our bio 🔗
Sneak Peek: Preparing for Tomorrow's Launch 👀

Our team is in Nottingham, preparing for tomorrow's exciting launch event at Djanogly City Academy Sixth Form. Our wonderful Wellbeing Lead at the school, Andrew Bould, and our Marketing Executive, Susanna Neuvonen, have been busy bees today at the Wellbeing Hub, ensuring everything is set for a fantastic day 🐝

We can’t wait to officially open the Wellbeing Hub's doors and welcome our guests to celebrate this amazing space and Andrew's impactful work as a Wellbeing Lead. Stay tuned for updates and highlights from the event! ✨

#wellbeinghub #wellbeinglead #studentwellbeing #wellbeing #charity
New Blog Post 🖋️
 
Young people are missing a safe space to go to and talk about their worries with a trusted person. Now more than ever, early intervention is needed - this is why we're prioritising student wellbeing.
 
Today, we're sharing case studies from two students who shared their experiences navigating through change with the support from the dedicated Wellbeing Leads and welcoming Wellbeing Hubs placed in their schools. With these two empowering student stories, we want to help amplify young people's voices and showcase the real impact accessible wellbeing support can have on them 💜
 
Head to our blog to read these two heartfelt student stories - link in bio 🔗 
 
#wellbeing #education #casestudy #mentalhealth #studentwellbeing
Student testimonial 💜

At our charity, we're always thrilled to hear from students as they share their experiences having dedicated Wellbeing Leads and Wellbeing Hubs as safe spaces to support their wellbeing through education and beyond. We're grateful to see the real impact our support has not only on our young people but also the whole community 🦋

Find the link for more impact stories in our bio ⬆️

#studentwellbeing #wellbeing #mentalhealth #charity #nonprofit
Let's take a break from the online world 📱

Today is Youth Mental Health Day, an annual event by @stem4org, dedicated to raising awareness about young people's mental health. This year's theme is #ControlYourScroll, supporting young people in navigating the digital world safely while balancing offline and online lives.

At mdeducational foundation, we encourage young people to take a break from the online world today. Instead of scrolling on your phone, why not visit your school's Wellbeing Hub? Enjoy a fun board game with friends and the Wellbeing Lead! Playing different games can help your mind reset and engage different aspects of your wellbeing as you try something new 🎲🧩♟️

How will you #ControlYourScroll today? 💜

#stem4YMHD #wellbeing #mentalhealth
Wellbeing Wednesday 💛

Mindful intentions mean consciously setting positive and meaningful goals for our thoughts and actions. They involve being present in the moment and aligning our intentions with our core values. Mindful intentions can help reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and foster a sense of inner peace and resilience 🌟

Here are 3 mindful intentions to enhance your wellbeing:
💛 Express honesty and trust your intuition - share your thoughts and feelings openly, and place trust in your intuition and emotions 🌟
💛 Meet your needs and stay present - make a conscious effort to recognise and meet your physical, emotional, and mental needs while being fully present in each moment 🧘‍♀️
💛 Build relationships and seek joy - prioritise building and maintaining meaningful relationships, and actively seek and create moments that bring joy into your life 😊

What mindful intentions have you set for yourself? 🦋

#wellbeingwednesday #wellbeing #mindfulness #mindfulintentions #mentalhealth

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