Our Impact
mdeducational foundation has seen an improvement in young people’s wellbeing from the Wellbeing Lead placements we’ve made so far. We’re prioritising student wellbeing and creating a brighter future for our young people
So far with mdeducational foundation
Shaping the future together: Our impact stories
Our impact on our post-16 students
”The support I received from the Wellbeing Lead undeniably got me through one of the toughest years of my life. Whether it was a particularly bad week or a normal one checking in with them kept me balanced and in touch with the world.”
Student, England”I really enjoy coming here, the workshops are good and helpful. The Wellbeing Hub is a safe place!!!”
Student, Ireland
”This Wellbeing Hub has really helped me cope with my challenges in school because I was given a lot of solutions for sleeping and coping with my anger and coping with being unable to stay still in class for long.”
Student, Northern Ireland
”We’re talking about important things here that no-one outside of here would even bring up to us.”
Student, Northern Ireland”The Wellbeing Hub has been such a comforting, a kind space to relax and escape too. The Wellbeing Lead has made this place so peaceful and kind. The Wellbeing Hub has been my favourite part of school this year and I wouldn’t change anything about it. The Wellbeing Lead is the perfect person to compliment this room – her energy and smile is so perfect.”
Student, Ireland”The Wellbeing Hub offers a calming environment and the Wellbeing Lead has always been welcoming, helping me to feel less stressed. They’ve been able to support me better than any previous external counselling, simply by spending time with me and putting practical solutions in place to alleviate my concerns.”
Student, England”Nice place at school where you could talk about feelings, emotions and other topics. Just not thinking about studying every time, relaxing with your thoughts.”
Student, Ireland”This is amazing! I love coming to the hub with friends it makes a massive difference.”
Student, England
”I was advised to see the Wellbeing Lead within the first week back in September after a rough summer holiday and one of the first things she said to me was “You do know that you don’t have to be ‘sent’ here to see me, I’m always here and my door is always open.”
Student, England”The Wellbeing Hub is a place I can go where I don’t feel alone because there’s always someone here. The Wellbeing Lead is super welcoming and nice and I’m always happy to see her.”
Student, Ireland”This is the first time in our school history that we have been given a designated area for the wellbeing of our students. Speaking on behalf of the rest of my peers we are delighted and just reassured just to know that we have a Wellbeing Lead to support us.”
Student, Northern IrelandSchool perspectives on our support
“The appointment of a Wellbeing Lead and the generous financial support of mdeducational foundation has substantially enhanced and supported our students, in line with our existing Pastoral Care systems. This initiative further underpins our characteristic spirit as a caring, nurturing, supportive, and inclusive school for our students. As Principal, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to mdeducational foundation for their invaluable contribution to Mount St Michael.”
Ciarán Ryan , Principal of Mount St Michael Secondary School in Ireland
“The Wellbeing Hub has been a brilliant addition to our sixth-form pupils. It has given them a place to meet and converse in the mornings setting them up positively for the school day as well as being a place to meet in small groups to chat, take part in activities and decompress. It has also provided them with additional support from the Wellbeing Lead, which has been so vital for so many. The welcoming environment has enabled them to seek support in the form of short conversations as well as on to one counselling sessions. The impact has been an increase in self-confidence, increased use of appropriate coping strategies, improved social interactions as well as positive effects on attainment.“
Katrina Crilly, Principal at St Patrick's College in Northern Ireland“mdeducational foundation has had quite a significant impact in a short time at St Mary’s College. It has allowed the Wellbeing Lead funded by mdeducational foundation to provide high-quality, daily support in the Wellbeing Hub in a manner that is shaped and influenced by the students themselves. Furthermore, the foundation has provided exemplary wellbeing support and high-quality, evidence-based resources to our staff and student population. It is our first year of three and we very much look forward to continuing the journey with mdeducational foundation.”
Brandan McGinn, Principal at St Mary's College in Northern Ireland”With the help of mdeducational foundation we always knew there was a need but perhaps before the appointment of the Wellbeing Lead we didn’t realise just the true extent of the need of our students. With their help, the Wellbeing Lead has been able to help, assist, support, guide and advise students as they progress through their post-16 journey. We are very thankful for their contribution and hope to continue working for many years to come.”
Head of post-16, England”There’s no other role like this. (…) I’ve also had fantastic feedback from the students. One even said they wished “everyone had a Wellbeing Lead like you” Having someone they can go to when they need help has made a world of difference for these young people.”
Wellbeing Lead, England”Since the Wellbeing Lead joined our team to support key stage 5, students have reported feeling so much more supported. Previously they would have had to muddle through, seek external support or might have even ended up dropping out of school.”
Head of post-16, England“The Wellbeing Hub is a space for the students to have their voices heard and find access to support. Young people can sometimes experience challenges, and on occasion, some may feel lonely. A non-judgmental space and open conversation allows students to ‘just be’. They can receive tips and strategies to help them better navigate their wellbeing journey – my door is always open at the Wellbeing Hub.”
Grace McGee, Wellbeing Lead at Mount St Michael Secondary School in IrelandIn October 2023, mdeducational foundation launched in Ireland as we funded Ireland’s first Wellbeing Lead placement in Mount St Michael Secondary School in Claremorris. The school’s Principal Ciarán Ryan and Wellbeing Lead Grace McGee were invited to an interview with Claremorris Community Radio to share their first thoughts and experiences about the new initiative. Listen to the interview below:
Impactful community voices
“While mental health is something that we haven’t dealt with very well in Ireland over the years, you’re really privileged to have the army of support and the army of love that will come with this programme.
…
The skills and the strength you are going to pick up through participation in this programme are going to be ones that you will take with you when you leave this school, and have for the rest of your life.”
Dara Calleary, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Ireland”More than half of 16-year-olds would not want anyone to know that something was wrong. There is so much suffering and stigma and of course, an awful lot of work to do to help our young people in this area. It’s really important that they have early support so it is brilliant that mdeducational foundation is stepping up to prioritise student wellbeing and the impact that that can have across the lifespan.
I’ve met with mdeducational foundation to hear about the incredible work that they’re doing. Their mission is to ensure that all students aged over 16 are supported in the education setting and that’s the ideal setting to provide this support but we know that sometimes schools are under so much pressure and teachers don’t have the training or skills, they’re educationalists, so it’s not really their role. So mdeducational foundation is providing much-needed funding for qualified Wellbeing Leads in the schools and this is exactly the sort of approach that’s much needed and will work really well.”
Professor Siobhán O’Neill, Mental Health Champion for Northern Irelandmdeducational foundation celebrating the collaboration with St Mary’s College, as they launched their Wellbeing Hub and introduced their Wellbeing Lead.
“The official opening of the Wellbeing Hub took place on Wednesday with Professor Siobhan O’Neill, Mental Health Champion NI, in attendance as a guest speaker alongside the Mayor and local political and education representatives and invited guests from local charities.” – Derry Journal (2024)
”I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations and well wishes to all involved in this wonderful organisation. […] The work that mdeducational foundation do, providing much needed wellbeing support in schools, speaks volumes about the organisation’s commitment to the health of young people. By focusing on the mental health of young minds through the placement of Wellbeing Leads, your support to those in need is making a profound difference in the lives of countless young people.”
Sabina Higgins, Wife of President of Ireland“Students that are happy and content in school perform better. Schools endeavour to support all of their students in an academic and holistic manner. All students need a welcoming environment, some require support in a more focused way, and others need more intensive support. mdeducational foundation’s initiative delivers specific resources that help schools support students with additional support. After piloting their initiative in the UK, they’ve just launched in their first school in Ireland, and I’m excited for them to roll this out to other schools across the country.”
Paul Crone, Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputies (NAPD), Ireland“The promotion of wellbeing is central to our school mission to enable children and young people to achieve their full potential. Promoting the wellbeing of our children and young people is a shared responsibility and encompasses not just their academic development but encapsulates their holistic development and is inclusive of physical, emotional, social and mental development:
I believe the approach adopted by mdeducational foundation to improve student wellbeing is a winning formula. Having a Wellbeing Lead with the capacity to identify barriers to student wellbeing and their learning and deal with them in a proactive and strategic manner through intervention and support is paramount. The ability to remove any potential barriers will ultimately enable all students to maximise their potential.”
Charlene Mc Neill, Deputy Principal at St Columba’s Comprehensive School in Ireland“Supporting student wellbeing is essential for creating a positive and effective learning environment that nurtures both academic and personal growth. It lays the foundation for students to succeed not just academically, but also in their future endeavours and overall wellbeing.
I am really supportive of the model that the mdeducational foundation has adopted to improve student wellbeing. By placing a Wellbeing Lead in a school for three years allows them to normalise student psychological fitness and resilience through guidance, support and early intervention – supporting young people with their wellbeing needs through education and beyond.“
I believe the approach adopted by mdeducational foundation to improve student wellbeing is a winning formula. Having a Wellbeing Lead with the capacity to identify barriers to student wellbeing and their learning and deal with them in a proactive and strategic manner through intervention and support is paramount. The ability to remove any potential barriers will ultimately enable all students to maximise their potential.”
Tom Casey, Deputy Principal at Midleton CBS in Ireland”At that time, I pulled on all resources available to support my daughter through obviously quite a stressful time in her life – One of which was the Wellbeing Hub at her school. Just having somewhere for a child to go to offload when there’s something so tricky going on at home is vital.”
Parent, EnglandLearn more about mdeducational foundation
