Shiplake College pupils are marking Mental Health Awareness Week by sharing via social media, the daily acts of kindness they are carrying out, using the hashtag, #ShiplakeKindness.
Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 18-24 May and this year’s theme is kindness. In line with this, the College has adopted its own strapline - Kindness is the new Cool - to encourage everyone to get involved.
Mr Brown, Deputy Head Pastoral launched the initiative at today’s Whole School Assembly. He said:
“I would love the whole Shiplake Community to get involved, pupils, parents and staff. This year’s theme (very conveniently for us) is kindness. Perfect for Shiplake - how many times this year have you heard us talking about kindness?
“You’ll remember the Rev’s chapel service last term where he introduced kindness as the new cool. So I want kindness to be our new cool, and it’s something we can start now and continue for a very, very long time.
He went on to read a short extract from the Mental Health Foundation’s website:
We are seeing many acts of kindness during these difficult times. There are quite simply so many opportunities to be kind. The added benefit of helping others is that it is good for our own mental health and wellbeing. It can help reduce stress and improve our emotional wellbeing too.
Mr Brown continued: “We are asking the Shiplake Community to give it a bit of thought and planning, and each day of this week, to think of who would benefit most from an act of kindness. Maybe a friend, maybe a relative, people in isolation, maybe a neighbour.
“Seven different acts of kindness for seven people who can benefit from your thoughtfulness. Don’t just sit back and let other people do it, let’s all get involved.”
Mr Brown's first act of kindness will be writing a ‘newsy, chatty’ letter to his elderly godfather in Devon who is living on his own, to brighten his day.
Pupils and families are asked to record the acts of kindness they do and either send them in to [email protected], or Mr Brown directly, or upload to social media using the hashtag #ShiplakeKindness.
There will be prizes for those who get involved and go the extra mile in their acts of kindness.
