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Mission Master - Summer Activity

Not based on popular TV series at all! Why not create your own mini missions during the holidays? Task… yourself with a set of challenges, with or without a competitive edge.It is a fun and creative game that challenges children with a series of silly and inventive missions. Because you can tailor missions, challenges… for those playing, it can be made fun for all!Here’s how you can set up a Children’s or Family Mission Masters game at home:SetupSelect a Mission Master:Choose one parent ...

Getting Help For You or Your Child, Without Worry of Judgement

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Kids Are Like Cakes?

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Womble's Thoughts On What We Can Do When A Child Gets Angry

Hey there, pawsome parent! It's me, Womble, your friendly therapy dog. I'm here to help with some top tips to keep your little pup calm and happy. Let's dive into it, arf arf!Stay Calm and Cool 😌When your child gets angry, it's super important for you to stay calm. Dogs like me can sense emotions, and kids can too! Take deep breaths and speak softly. Your calmness can help soothe their storm.Create a Safe Space 🏡Make a cozy spot where your child can go when they're feeling mad. Fill it wit...

Supporting Your Child Through Change: Thinking Of School & Other Important Areas

Change is an inevitable part of life, and school transitions are significant milestones that can profoundly impact your child's relationships with friends, teachers, romantic interests, club leaders, and even family members. As parents and carers, your support is crucial in helping your child navigate these transitions smoothly. It can all be very important to them in the moment.We thought we’d offer considerations, on how you could support your child through these changes and promote healthy ...

Do You Know What Coping & Defence Mechanisms Really Are?

In our daily lives, we often hear the terms "coping mechanisms" and "defence mechanisms" used interchangeably. But are they really the same? Coping mechanisms could be considered as strategies we consciously employ to handle stress, challenges, and difficult emotions. Or we can consider them the ‘acting out’ communication of a defence mechanism underway.Defence mechanisms, in therapeutic senses’ are generally considered to be operating at a more unconscious level, shielding us from emotion...

July Newsletter 2024

That's right, we have renamed our building in Womble's honour to Womble House!Have you met Womble? He loves to greet new people and existing patients. Womble is usually onsite on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays....

When Is It The Right Time To Get Help With Mental Health?

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A Perspective On Healthy Phone Use With Fiona (Clinical Director at TMH)

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School Attendance & Summer Holidays with Therapy Dog Womble

Woof! As the academic year draws to a close, many parents find themselves eagerly anticipating the summer break. For those whose children grapple with social or school-based anxiety, this break represents more than just a hiatus from academic obligations. It offers a reprieve from the daily battles of persuading anxious children to attend school, managing the emotional turmoil when they refuse, and navigating the myriad of challenges associated with these struggles.Hi, I'm Womble, the therapy do...

Pride Month

Pride Month, celebrated every June, traces its origins to the Stonewall Riots of June 1969. These riots occurred in response to a police raid at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, a popular gathering place for the LGBTQIA+ community. The subsequent protests marked a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights, sparking the modern LGBTQIA+ liberation movement. The first official Pride marches were held in 1970 to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, setting a precedent for ann...

Deafblind Awareness Week 2024

Deafblind Awareness Week, running from June 24-30, is an amazing campaign organised by Deafblind UK to raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by individuals with combined sight and hearing impairments. This year's campaign aims to educate the public on deafblindness, which affects over 450,000 people in the UK, each with varying degrees of sight and hearing loss.The week-long event will celebrate the achievements of people living with deafblindness, sharing their stories to highlight ...

Sports Week Review & Why It's Important

National School Sports Week, took place from June 17 to June 23, is a fantastic initiative by Youth Sport Trust, promoting 60 minutes of PE, sport, and play daily for children. This year's theme was powered by Sports Direct's Monster Kickabout, focused on engaging young people through football.As a parent, it was quite heart-warming to see schools actively participating in this event and seeing the kids expressions on the school run eager to share what they’ve been up to. Many schools have emb...

Men's Health Week

Men's Health Week, celebrated annually in the week leading up to Father's Day, is a vital initiative aimed at raising awareness about the health issues facing men and encouraging proactive health management. For 2024, Men's Health Week is scheduled from June 10th to 16th, with a strong emphasis on encouraging men to share their health stories, particularly focusing on prostate health and mental well-being.The Importance of Men's Health WeekMen's Health Week is organised by the Men's Health Forum...

National Children’s Gardening Week

25 May – 2 June 2024...

Wombles Mid-Month Newsletter Update

Womble the Therapy Dog here, inviting you to check out my latest blog posts and more, where I tackle tough but important topics like: what to do when you suspect your child is using drugs or alcohol....

Wombles Advice: Worried about Drugs and Alcohol?

Hello, friends! Womble the Therapy Dog here, with a wagging tail and a heart full of love. Today, I want to talk to you about a serious topic: what to do if you suspect your child might be using drugs or alcohol and trying to keep it a secret. This is a tough situation, but remember, you’re not alone, and there are ways to handle it with care and compassion.Sniffing Out the SignsJust like I sniff out hidden treats, you might notice signs that something’s not quite right. Maybe your child’s...

Sniffing Out Parental Anxieties

Hello, friends! Womble the Therapy Dog here, ready to share some tail-wagging wisdom with all you wonderful parents out there. Today, I want to remind you that it’s okay to be a parent! I know, I know, being a parent can be tough, and sometimes it feels like you’re walking a tightrope.But guess what? Setting rules and boundaries isn’t just okay—it’s essential for your child’s well-being. Let’s dive into why it’s important to embrace your role as a parent, even when it’s challen...

Movement for Mental Health Awareness Week.2024

 From May 13th to 19th, Mental Health Awareness Week, organised by the Mental Health Foundation, takes centre stage to advocate for mental health awareness and highlight the transformative power of movement and activity. In this blog, we explore the significance of this event, its objectives, and the profound benefits of incorporating movement into our lives for enhanced mental well-being. The Purpose of Mental Health Awareness Week:Mental Health Awareness Week serves as a platform to ...

MAY NEWSLETTER 2024

From May 13th to 19th, Mental Health Awareness Week, organised by the Mental Health Foundation, takes centre stage to advocate for mental health awareness and highlight the transformative power of movement and activity. In this blog, we explore the significance of this event, its objectives, and the profound benefits of incorporating movement into our lives for enhanced mental well-being.Read Full Blog and Information Here!...

The Importance Of Sleep

Understanding Sleep and Mental HealthSleep is a fundamental aspect of human life, especially during adolescence, a period characterised by rapid physical, emotional, and psychological changes. In this blog, we delve into the intricate relationship between teen sleep patterns and mental health. While exploring the benefits of sleep from varied perspectives, we also offer practical tips to improve sleep quality, including strategies for navigating the challenges of summer sleep disturbances.So, wh...

April Newsletter 2024

(Please don’t put children in ovens!)...

Subtle and Online Bullying

Bullying is a pervasive issue that affects children in various settings, but it can happen at home and online. While much attention is rightfully given to overt forms of bullying, such as physical aggression or verbal abuse, it's crucial to recognise and address subtler forms of bullying that can occur within families or the digital realm. In this blog, we'll explore different aspects of bullying, including 'micro' bullying at home and online bullying, offering insights and strategies for parent...

Navigating Avoidance at Home: Understanding and Supporting Your Child

As a parent or carer, it's not uncommon to encounter moments when your child withdraws into silence, leaving you feeling worried and uncertain about how to help. When a child goes silent and avoids communication, it can be a sign of underlying emotional distress or discomfort. In this blog, we'll explore why avoidance happens, when it tends to occur, and most importantly, how you can support your child and work together to improve engagement and communication. Why Can Avoidance Happen?Avoid...

March Newsletter

This month we are focusing on the importance of reading, navigating Avoidance at Home  Understanding and Supporting Your Child and the important of fostering positive body imagine for children after recently acknowledging Eating Disorder week.We’re now in March, having experienced a notably mild spring and lighter mornings have been setting in. But on Sunday, 31 Mar 2024 it changes again as it will be daylight saving time, and the day-light lasts longer again in the evenings. Even sooner ...