The Invitation to 'BE' Well

The place to go where self-care is nurtured

In late 2022 I delivered 4 wellbeing sessions to 29 children in Year 5 at Primary School (ages 9-10) in those sessions I learned something that I could not turn away from - the need for wellbeing support. I discovered that 26 out of those 29 children were struggling to sleep, 1 child was fearful to go to sleep due to a family trauma. After that day I designed a wellbeing-focused after school club that launched on April 21st 2023 - 9 children signed up to the 10 places available!

Our Story

We began by planting seeds to create a self-care garden that we would make drinks from. And in the future we'd learn to use these ingredients in the products we would make.

After all everything in the world starts somewhere and for most 'It all starts with a seed'.

From that day forward we went on a wellbeing adventure to develop 9 self-care toolkits to support their individual wellbeing needs. At each session they are invited to do a 'wellbeing check in' so that I know where to meet them. To understand what their starting point is: for some it could be 'sadness, loneliness, or worried'; for others it would be 'calm, happy, and excited' and for many 'tired and hungry!' In the sessions I would invite them to explore their 6 senses through food, walking meditations, and tea meditations. I guide journaling sessions where they would write or draw their responses to questions. We design and create aromatherapy-based products for them to take home. I impart knowledge of self-care through a sensory curriculum covering all topics they are learning at school. Geography (learning where these oils grow best in the world); Languages (having fun pronouncing the oil names in Latin). Our product making also explores Art, Design, and Chemistry. Journaling supports the children to tap into English or drawing. And mathematical skills are required when measuring safe quantity ratios of essential oils to carrier oils.

After only 12 weeks from a group of children who were struggling to focus, felt anxious, lacked in confidence, to not sleeping. The final lesson finished with a 4-minute stillness meditation, there was no restlessness, and the energy of calm and peace amongst the children was palpable! They felt safe and calm...

Testimonials

Testimonial - Yr 5 Student

My son often follows his friends into school clubs but the wellbeing club sparked his interest having really enjoyed the aromatherapy forest school sessions. He seems to have engaged with every session and actually comes home talking about what he has done each week or even better, showing me what he has created or giving me an insight through his journal. Between school and clubs, life is busy at the tender age of 10. Knowing that he has some ring-fenced time for his own wellbeing and mindfulness gives me comfort and him some much needed time which thanks to the fabulous products he has crafted doesn't end with the club.

Testimonial - Yr 5 Student

The wellbeing sessions have been an absolute lifeline for my child recently and we are so grateful. Claire's gentle and positive approach, meeting our son where he is at each session and adjusting to his mood and energy levels has meant he is able to engage in activities I would never have imagined he'd feel okay to do otherwise. Claire is incredibly attuned and sensitive to what each child needs and I see my child seeming lighter and brighter after a wellbeing session. Being able to make his own aromatherapy products has not only provided him with a mental health first aid kit but also a great sense of achievement and self-confidence in his abilities to learn about his needs and create something truly bespoke that helps him. Thank you Claire for all the love and effort you put into this work. You are changing lives! He says he can't imagine even going into school if he didn't have these sessions!

Testimonial - Year 2 Student

Our daughter has thoroughly enjoyed her wellbeing club experience. Friday afternoons would usually be a time that she came home tired and flustered. Since she started her Friday sessions she has been leaving school and starting her weekends calm and energised.

Testimonial - Year 2 Student

My son continues to have a fantastic time at the wellbeing club. We are continually impressed by the fact that, despite it being a Friday, he comes out of the session relaxed, energised and happy. He has been inspired by the sessions to work with basic materials around him to promote his own physical and mental wellbeing. We definitely feel as if the club has both increased his confidence in social situations and helped him to ground and connect to his own emotions and to experiences around him.

Testimonial - Year 3 Student

Our daughter absolutely loves the wellbeing club. She says it makes her feel amazing and calm. Kids lead such busy lives these days but rather than being 'yet another thing', the long format gives her the opportunity to relax and focus on mindful activities and practices at a slower pace, which gives her obvious pleasure. She talks a lot about what she has learned at home and I have noticed that she is using and applying this knowledge in her own time. I thoroughly recommend it!

Testimonial - Year 6 Student

Our son has thoroughly enjoyed attending the wellbeing club, he has made some really lovely creations which smell fantastic and are very special to him. He uses his pillow mist every night, and I love using his bath scrub! He has learned alot about natural products and the effect that they have on your body. He finds it a very relaxing place to be after a busy day and always comes home feeling calm and re-energised.

Testimonial - Year 5 Student

Our son has benefited greatly from Claire's wellbeing class. It has taught him to look outside himself at the world around him to find calming techniques and natural healers. Claire is extremely kind and generous with her time and goes above and beyond to make the children feel calm and settled.