Fircroft Primary School becomes the first Be Well Hub school in south west London
Fircroft Primary School in Tooting has become the first Be Well Hub school in south west London, marking an important milestone in the growth of the South London Listens Be Well programme.
Bringing Be Well to Fircroft
Be Well was set up to tackle loneliness and poor mental health by creating safe spaces in local communities where people can find connection and support from trusted organisations, such as community centres, schools, libraries, faith groups, health centres and cafes.
The initiative forms part of a partnership between South London Listens and Citizens UK to develop Be Well Hubs across south London. Working alongside NHS mental health trusts, the programme combines the expertise of community organisers and mental health trainers to help people have the knowledge, tools and resources to support their community.
And now, for the first time in south west London, Be Well is being embedded within a school. As a Be Well Hub, Fircroft Primary School will bring together staff, pupils and families to strengthen wellbeing, create opportunities for students to be heard, and build a culture where mental health is openly discussed and actively supported.
Understanding mental health
To mark the start of this journey, over 30 Fircroft staff completed four hours of training over two days of tailored mental health and wellbeing training, designed around the needs of their school and wider community.
Throughout the sessions colleagues were asked to reflect on both the challenges facing children and young people today, as well as the strengths that already exist within the Fircroft community.
For example, staff discussed the impact of enduring mental health stigma, the effect of traumatic events like family illness and bereavement, and the realities many children are living with, such as poverty, housing insecurity, parental mental ill health and discrimination.
Yet critically, they also explored practical ways to create safe and supportive spaces for children, young people and their families. Key to this was the importance of active listening, which staff had the opportunity to practice their skills in, while learning about trauma-informed care and culturally sensitive approaches to supporting someone’s wellbeing. Discussions also focused on how schools can foster belonging, celebrate difference and build trusted, lasting relationships that can act as a protective tool against stressors or triggers for poor mental health.
Staff shared ideas for strengthening support across the school, including creating additional opportunities for children to express concerns, like a worry box, ensuring quieter voices are heard, and taking a strengths-based approach that helps pupils build confidence and resilience.
Beck Dawson, is a former teacher and is a former teacher and mental health, wellbeing and safeguarding trainer. Reflecting on the two days of training she facilitated, she said: “The staff at Fircroft were incredible. They were engaged, passionate, and open to exploring new ideas, while reflecting on their current practice. I left with a wonderful sense of the culture the staff have already created, and I looked forward to working with them as a Be Well Hub to strengthen how they create a mentally healthy and resilient school community.”
Speaking about becoming a Be Well Hub, Denise York, Headteacher at Fircroft Primary School said: “Supporting mental health and wellbeing has been a Fircroft priority for many years now. The training was the perfect way to prepare for the start of the new academic year, the staff team loved it. We are so excited about this new partnership and how it will enhance how we support our community.”
Become a Be Well Hub
Are you a school based in Kingston, Merton, Sutton, Richmond or Wandsworth? Want to learn more about the Be Well programme? Get in touch with Rachael Leaton at rachael.leaton@slam.nhs.uk to find out more.
Read more about South London Listens.
