Tag Archives: wellbeing

Appointments, News, South East England News, Wellbeing, Wellbeing News

Bridge Health & Wellbeing Boosts Clinical Team with New Sports Massage Therapist

Family-run clinic Bridge Health & Wellbeing in Christchurch, Dorset, is delighted to welcome another experienced sports massage therapist to its growing clinical team.

Alice Loveridge (SM, MA, CPT) is a Level 3 Sport Massage Therapist, trained in Deep Tissue, Pregnancy and Post Natal Massage and a Medical Acupuncturist. She qualified in 2017 and completed her acupuncture training in 2018. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer.

Alice has worked with numerous sporting teams, including the Netherlands cricket team, helping to manage injuries and providing deep tissue relaxation treatments. She relocated to the New Forest from the Channel Islands in 2023 after working in a busy Sports Clinic in St Peter Port and setting up her own Sports Massage and Medical Acupuncture clinic.

A keen sportswoman herself, Alice is an active member of Lymington Cross Fit + Hyrox and will compete in the European circuit later this year. An accomplished table tennis player, Alice represented Great Britain at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics and Guernsey at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Paul O’Connell, co-founder and lead physiotherapist at Bridge Health & Wellbeing, said, “We are delighted to welcome Alice to our team. With three massage therapists, we are able to offer a variety of sports massage and remedial massage services, as well as specialist services in pregnancy massage, post-natal massage and acupuncture. Discomfort, aches and pains are warning signs that something is not quite right in our bodies. Massage therapy can unlock soft tissue, decrease muscle tightness and provide welcome relief.”

Bridge Health & Wellbeing is a friendly, family-run clinic in the heart of Christchurch in Dorset, with high quality physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment, sports massage and rehabilitation services,  expert Pilates, yoga classes and other wellbeing classes, and state-of-the-art gym facilities all under one roof.

Whether you need help with pain or an injury or just want to stay fit and healthy, come and join them for the journey. Book your appointment now at www.bridgehw.com or call 01202 473800 to speak to their friendly team of wellbeing experts.

News, Wellbeing, Wellbeing News

Investors in People launches new standard for wellbeing with We invest in wellbeing framework 

Community interest company, Investors in People, has launched its new standard for wellbeing – ‘We invest in wellbeing’.
Launched to support organisations aiming to reach high performance in wellbeing, the standard will focus on three indicators that are built on the quality and safety of the workplace, as well as how people feel about their work and the culture they experience within it – or put simply Leading, Supporting, and Improving a culture of wellbeing.
With 35 million workdays lost to ill health in 2022-23, the total cost of sickness absence to UK business at around £15bn per year and absenteeism costing the UK economy £138bn, creating better and more productive workplaces has long been a priority for Investors in People.
With this new standard created after an extended period of engagement with leaders and innovators in the wellbeing space, the framework has been designed to suit organisations of all sizes and sectors.
In the face of widespread change in the workplace, the need to create a culture of wellbeing that supports high performance in a healthy and sustainable way has never been more important, with this a main priority throughout the design of Investors in People’s framework.
Paul Devoy, CEO, Investors in People, said:
“We all know that healthy and happy workforces perform better, adapt better to change, and have increased levels of engagement, which are all pivotal for organisations.
“Through the launch of our new We invest in wellbeing framework, organisations using our product will be able to take control of their workplace wellbeing, with wellbeing as much shaped by employee engagement, as it is by physical and psychological health.
“Our We invest in wellbeing standard centres on a pro-active and engaging approach to enhancing the health and wellbeing of people in your organisation and I am already looking forward to seeing and hearing the many success stories which will come from the first cohort of organisations already on board with this product.”
Michael Smyth, HR Director, GRAHAM Group (one of the first organisations to work with Investors in People on their new Wiiw framework:
“GRAHAM have been working with Investors in People since 2017 to support our approach to Wellbeing, and most recently have found the three key components of their new ‘We invest in wellbeing’ framework (leading, supporting and improving), to be a well-balanced and structured approach to creating and maintaining excellence in wellbeing, that delivers real results for both our employees and the business.”
Working with Investors in People’s skilled practitioners, organisations will go through a 3-year journey full of in-depth wellbeing focused planning, discussions, surveys, engagement, analysis, feedback, and reviews, before eventually receiving their Standard, Silver, Gold, or Platinum accreditation.
With the We invest in wellbeing journey able to be tailored to suit the needs of any organisation, the framework includes everything needed for organisations to shape, own and live their own culture of wellbeing.
If you are interested in speaking to Investors in People about starting your own employee wellbeing accreditation journey or hearing more about, We invest in wellbeing, visit: https://www.investorsinpeople.com/accreditations/we-invest-in-wellbeing/ 
Education, Education News, News

Bradford College Achieves West Yorkshire Fair Work Charter

Bradford College is one of the latest certified members of the new West Yorkshire Fair Work Charter.

Created by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, the Charter is an ambitious new initiative that supports and celebrates great employers across the region.

The Charter welcomes employers of all sizes and across sectors who are committed to meaningful action, helping provide better pay, conditions, and opportunities for all.

Local employers, trade unions, and regional leaders helped to develop the initiative, overseen by a steering group. The Charter is guided by five themes: opportunity, security, wellbeing, fulfilment, and employee voice.

Bradford College met the criteria owing to its aspirational 2022-2026 strategic plan and the strategic objective to become an ‘employer of choice.’ Work is underway to boost staff engagement and attendance levels, offer outstanding learning and development, recruit and retain highly skilled and motivated staff, and offer a great place to work.

Sarah Cooper, Bradford College Director of People Services, said:

“We are delighted to be approved as an early joiner of the West Yorkshire Fair Work Charter. This endorsement of Bradford College’s employment practices commends our ambition of being an employer that offers an exceptional workplace.

“We recently updated all our HR policies and are investing more in learning and development and wellbeing activities – all examples of how we support existing and future employees. We look forward to building on this success and sharing best practice with other regional organisations.”

Mayor Tracy Brabin unveiled the West Yorkshire Fair Work Charter at the University of Bradford in November. More than 40 businesses and organisations pledged to improve the quality of work in West Yorkshire, with Bradford College being one of the few large employees in the city to achieve this status.

The West Yorkshire Fair Work Charter follows similar charters in other Mayoral Combined Authority areas, such as Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region. It is designed to be relevant to large organisations, but also small and medium-sized businesses which make up 99% of employers in the region.

Find out more about working for Bradford College:

www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/about-us/jobs-at-bradford-college

News

Former rugby stars prove a big hit at Howorth Air Technology

Rugby league players are used to making big hits on the pitch – now former stars of the sport are proving a big hit off the field, helping Howorth Air Technology stay ahead of the game on employee welfare.

Howorth’s partnership with the charity Rugby League Cares sees ex-players draw on their personal experiences and specialist training to deliver mental fitness and wellbeing workshops to the company’s employees.

The latest coaching session at Howorth under the charity’s Offload programme was delivered by Bob Beswick, whose league career saw him make 433 senior appearances for clubs including Wigan, Widnes and Leigh, as well as 25 international caps for Ireland.

Howorth director John Hale said teaming up with Rugby League Cares has proved to be a great match.

“The positive impact of the Offload sessions delivered to our teams flows through to productivity and the bottom line. The partnership with Rugby League Cares is one of the many building blocks that has enabled our business growth and employee engagement over recent years,” he said.

The partnership also sees Howorth staff hold events at its sites in Bolton and Salford to raise funds for the charity.

Rugby League Cares, founded 10 years ago, is an independent charity which supports players at the end of their careers by providing education and training grants to equip them with the skills and qualifications they need for the next stage of their lives. It also provides practical and financial support to current and former players who have poor health or are enduring hardship.

In the communities where rugby league is played, the Offload programme has helped tens of thousands of people in businesses and organisations to better manage their own mental wellbeing and support those around them.

Many Howorth staff are avid RL fans and the company has won several awards for its commitment to the development, wellbeing and engagement of its employees.

John said: “We have a proud culture of valuing and empowering our people, providing a safe and enjoyable place to work and enabling them to receive the technical and wellbeing support they need to develop in their jobs and thrive in their lives as a whole.

“We know from the positive feedback we’ve received that the Offload sessions are of real tangible benefit to the individuals taking part, their family circles and friendships.

“People feel that they help them to build resilience and coping strategies. They’ve been motivated and empowered to look after themselves from a mental fitness and wellbeing perspective, and that in turn has had a beneficial impact on the business and employee engagement.

“We have six Offload workshops each year, which are well-attended, and we provide monthly drop-in sessions as part of the programme too. We also help the charity by raising funds, and we open our doors to RL players who are looking to transition from their career as a professional athlete, to help them to understand business and the 9-5 life.”

Howorth, which has its headquarters in Farnworth, Bolton, and a facility at Raven Locks in Little Hulton, Salford, designs, manufactures and assembles ultra clean air equipment for use in operating theatres, and for the pharma, biotechnology and life science industries. The company, which turns over more than £20m a year, employs over 130 staff across its operations in the UK and the United States.

John was among the guests at a recent event at Speaker’s House in Westminster. Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons and president of the Rugby Football League, hosted the event, which was held to showcase the work of Rugby League Cares and recognise the support of its partners.

Chris Rostron, chief executive of Rugby League Cares, said: “We were delighted that Howorth were able to join us at Speaker’s House as we celebrated both the important work the charity does in rugby league communities and the vision we share with our partners for enhancing the mental fitness of those closest to us.

“Howorth’s progressive and proactive approach to mental wellbeing is reflected in the company’s continued growth, and everyone at RL Cares is proud of the part we are playing in that success. Howorth’s managing director Jim Liptrot and his team are passionate advocates for our Offload programme and we would like to thank them for championing our work so enthusiastically within the corridors of power at Westminster.”

Healthcare, HR, News, North of England, Training, Training News

PAM Group takes a leap forward with new training academy

Occupational health and corporate health services provider PAM Group has opened a dedicated training academy to enhance the learning and development of its workforce.

The PAM Academy is based on the ground floor of a two-storey building at Mandarin Court in Warrington.

The 4,000sq ft building houses client services teams for PAM’s Wellness Solutions division on the first floor alongside the group’s IT support staff.

PAM Group founder and chief executive James Murphy said the academy fulfils a long-held ambition to create a bespoke training centre for clinical and non-clinical staff. It features a series of fully-equipped replica clinics and an audio booth where PAM Group specialists can train in a realistic setting.

The academy space will also be used to stage training courses and sessions for clients, covering topics such as mental health awareness, neurodiversity and health and wellbeing in the workplace.

PAM Wellness Solutions’ client services teams have relocated from the group’s corporate headquarters in Warrington and other sites, bringing together under one roof those running the group’s employee assistance programme, physiotherapy and occupational health advisory services. The open-plan upper floor can accommodate 50 staff.

James said: “I’m passionate that PAM becomes the employer of choice for people wishing to start or develop their careers in the fields in which we operate, and the academy is a leap forward for this.

“It’s common, for example, for people from the nursing profession to join us to start their journeys as occupation health professionals.

“We are developing a new career path framework for our colleagues, branded as the Elevate Programme. This will enhance routes for career development across the group, and the facilities at the new academy provide an effective and engaging space to host the learning opportunities on offer through the programme, in a bespoke environment.”

He added: “It’s a very versatile building where we can also hold departmental and inter-departmental meetings, planning sessions and workshops.

“In terms of the client services teams, the building provides a tremendous space to bring people together and improve efficiency by inspiring greater collaboration, engagement and teamwork in a stimulating working environment.”

The Mandarin Court site is a high-spec office building which PAM Group has fitted out to include a breakout area and meeting rooms as well as office space and training facilities. It has parking for 20 vehicles.

PAM Group is a major provider of occupational health, health screening and wellbeing services across the UK and Ireland. It offers a range of integrated services to public and private sector clients, supporting more than a million employees at over 1,000 businesses and organisations.

Its services include psychological support, corporate health assessments, ergonomic and assistive technology products, mobile health screening, drug and alcohol screening and a pathology laboratory. The group operates a network of 25 clinics. It also has a retail arm which supplies fitness, exercise and rehabilitation equipment to consumers, sports clubs and sports and physiotherapy professionals.

PAM, which employs more than 750 people, posted revenues of £53m for 2023 and is on track to reach £68m this year. PAM is looking to grow turnover to £90m over the next few years through continued organic expansion and further acquisitions.

The group is backed by private equity firm LDC to support its growth and the launch of new products and services.

News

Surge in extra-curricular sports at top 5 school could lead to fall in absenteeism

A SECONDARY school has experienced a surge in pupils taking part in extra-curricular sport.

Learners at Ysgol Eirias in Colwyn Bay have engaged with football, rugby, basketball, dodgeball, badminton, hockey, volleyball, netball, and gymnastics sessions more than 5,000 times since September.

Cooking and Health and Wellbeing activities have also proven popular, ensuring learners pick up independent living skills such as how to plan, prepare and cook a meal.

It is hoped that providing these opportunities will have a knock-on effect for overall school attendances, a nationwide issue following the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to Welsh Government statistics, prior to the pandemic overall absenteeism figures in Wales stood at 5.7%. Provisional data for the 2022/23 school year revealed that number had risen to 10.5% nationally.

Additionally, figures show persistent absence amongst pupils eligible for Free School Meals more than doubled from 8.4% of pupils in 2018/19 to 18.8% of pupils in 2022/23.

The positive news comes as Eirias celebrates national success, with its Year 10 rugby team and under-18’s football squad both reaching the last 16 of the Welsh Cup in their respective sports.

Assistant Headteacher Alex Metcalfe said the after-school sessions have led to children being on-site from the first bell of the day, which is “heartening” given the pressures they and their families have faced in recent times.

“To have this many pupils attend this many sessions in just a few months has been incredible and testament to our amazing teachers and the support we’ve had from parents, carers and the local community,” said Mr Metcalfe.

“We have a new system which can track who is attending, what session they are participating in, and we can align that with overall attendance, which has been a game changer.

“Attendance at extra-curricular activities has a direct impact on learners’ health and wellbeing, social and physical attributes and builds the relationship even more between staff and learners as they are interacting in a different setting.”

He added: “The more pupils we have taking part in sport not only provides opportunities for all, it gives us an even wider selection of players to choose from when it comes to the teams that represent the school for competitive or recreational fixtures.

“An example is the success of our rugby and football squads, which are competing with the best schools in their age groups nationwide, an amazing achievement.”

Head of PE Neil Wilkinson hopes the upward trend at Ysgol Eirias continues and is confident it will, given the positive response from pupils, parents, and carers.

“Tracking attendances enables us to run a programme rewarding the higher attendees and those who have experienced a significant shift in their overall presence at school,” said Mr Wilkinson.

“Our main aim is to get as many learners physically active as often as possible which will hopefully lead to lifelong habits being formed to benefit not only they themselves but the community and future generations.

“As well as competitive fixtures and participation in after-school activities, we will be continuing to organise more recreational fixtures against schools in the area, giving learners the opportunity to compete against other pupils in their age groups.”

He added: “We have some very enthusiastic members of staff who have been delivering football sessions to children in our primary school clusters, which will be extended to rugby and a summer camp later this year.

“There are a lot of other plans in the pipeline – including fun matches between past and present students – so we encourage people to watch this space and thank everyone who has shown us so much support.”

For more information on extra-curricular activities at Ysgol Eirias, visit www.eirias.co.uk and follow the social media channel at @experienceeirias.

 

News, Retail, Retail & E-commerce, Retail Tech

Supermarket giant Iceland puts colleague welfare first by partnering with VoCoVo

VoCoVo, the retail communications specialist, has today announced a partnership with UK supermarket chain Iceland which will see every store within the retailer’s estate provided with access to the latest cutting edge communication technology.

Following the recent launch of VoCoVo’s Series 5 Pro headsets, designed to provide a significant boost to operational efficiency, colleague safety and customer experience, the headsets will be made available in each of Iceland’s 1,004 UK stores. The decision to provide every store with the technology forms part of Iceland’s commitment to ensure the safety, wellbeing and optimum working experience for all colleagues.

VoCoVo and Iceland worked in collaboration to deliver a solution that met each of Iceland’s unique needs. Following a resoundingly successful trial in select stores, the Series 5 Pro will play an important part in Iceland’s customer experience plans moving forward.

“The investment in VoCoVo headsets is a real step forward in improving the efficiency, communication and safety of our store colleagues, which are all paramount to our current and future plans,” says Kristian Barrett, Iceland’s Group Retail Director.

Opting for the Series 5 Pro headsets followed a rigorous vetting process by the supermarket, with the VoCoVo product best meeting all Iceland’s requirements for a durable and innovative solution that would transform the colleague working experience.

Spanning all areas of Iceland’s retail stores, including shop floor, back areas and home delivery services, colleagues can use VoCoVo to efficiently collaborate on store operations, helping to maintain Iceland’s high standards of operational efficiency. Staff are empowered to meet customer expectations, alongside the ability to quickly resolve queries for an optimum customer experience.

“On our store floors and beyond, we’re committed to improving our customer’s experience when shopping with us. Our partnership with VoCoVo will directly support this commitment and we’re excited to grow the solution once the headsets are installed. This will include specific APIs that will integrate with our in-store technology and notification systems, enabling us to quickly update our store colleagues on certain business activities that are happening,” says Louise Dhaliwal, Iceland’s IT Director.

“Iceland’s commitment to protecting its colleagues and prioritising their wellbeing through the power of voice communication was apparent from the moment we engaged with them. Iceland stores already operate with high efficiency and we’re delighted that our technology will help take this further and cement Iceland’s position as one of the UK’s most loved retailers. We’re looking forward to a successful rollout and collaborative future,” says Rob Gamlin, CEO, VoCoVo.

The compact design of the Series 5 Pro headset allows colleagues to communicate with each other in crystal clear audio quality, while being discreet enough to ensure customers are not deterred from approaching staff on the shop floor. Its fully adjustable design also makes for a more comfortable experience when worn and the rapid charge feature provides 50% battery charge in just 30 minutes.

Iceland is also making use of a full suite of custom-developed video content to help train staff on how best to make use of the new solution. VoCoVo will provide ongoing support as the partnership evolves, with further integrations in the planning. The rollout is expected to be complete with VoCoVo technology active in all Iceland stores by April 2024.

News

Number 4 high school in Wales attracting sixth formers ahead of ‘opportunities event’

A SECONDARY school ranked in the top five in Wales is attracting students from across the region to its award-winning sixth form.

Ysgol Eirias in Colwyn Bay is preparing for an ‘Opportunities Evening Event’ that will showcase its post-16 offering and academic support.

The school – listed fourth in Wales in the Sunday Times Parent Power league table earlier this month – will hold the session from 5.30pm-7.30pm on Tuesday January 16.

Headteacher Zoe Evans hopes parents and prospective students can join them to see the wide range of options available.

“We are proud of our sixth form provision, as in addition to award-winning teaching from subject teachers who have a wealth of experience, we provide a strong support network which provides our learners with the care they need to help them thrive both personally and academically,” said Mrs Evans.

Recognised by Estyn and national awarding bodies – Ysgol Eirias was also named Secondary School of the Year at the North Wales Education Awards – Head of Sixth Form Dr Michael Greenslade said their success in securing career pathways and university places for graduates is “second to none”.

“We are very proud of our A Level results, which are consistently high – in 2023, our learners gained 36% A/A*and 60% A*-B, and there were 42 A* grades awarded – and every pupil that applied to university was successful,” he added.

“We offer a wide range of subjects and ensure all students can take the courses that best suit them, helping them to gain the most appropriate educational experience at this stage.

“Our delivery of the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales qualification is timetabled and overseen by a designated coordinator, there are two fully staffed areas that Sixth Form students use as supervised study locations, a common room, and the facilities across the school are first class.”

While the academic offering at Ysgol Eirias is lauded far and wide, Head Prefect Oliver Rothnie says providing a community of support and trust is a top priority.

“At Eirias we place a key importance on respect, both towards each other and to staff, and aim to create a positive, friendly environment,” he said.

“The thing about a school is that it is nothing without the people. As a student you contribute to the school community. You can join the badminton club, you can join history club, you can join the orchestra, and to a large extent you get out what you put in.

“It’s about going above and beyond, not just seeing the school as a place to exist but as a place to flourish – learning is never over, and that’s definitely the case here at Ysgol Eirias.”

For more information, visit the website www.eirias.co.uk/sixth-form or email Dr Greenslade at greensladem6@hwbcymru.net. Alternatively, call 01492 532025.

News

School receives illustrious family award for helping parents improve the lives of their children

YSGOL EIRIAS has been lauded for its work in helping parents and carers improve the lives of their children. 

The Colwyn Bay secondary school is one of just a handful in North Wales to receive the Investors in Families Bronze Award.

The quality mark is awarded to settings that demonstrate a commitment to working with families and evidence of activities carried out in and out of school hours, communication with parents and carers, and setting high standards.

In 2022, Ysgol Eirias introduced extracurricular provision based on Areas of Learning and Experience – a key part of the new Curriculum for Wales – to encourage wider learning and mindfulness via extra-curricular sessions, with wellbeing trips and educational overseas visits in the pipeline.

As well as sports matches and fixtures, there have been cooking and nutrition lessons that will see pupils take the food they prepare home, ensuring vulnerable children are guaranteed a warm, cooked meal.

The school’s successful Duke Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award scheme enjoyed a surge in learners, with more than 100 taking on the Bronze and Silver categories, and as part of their Welsh Baccalaureate studies, groups of Year 10 and Year 11 pupils organised environmental impact days.

Assistant Headteacher Andy Davies said these examples of pupils reinforcing their academic efforts with a positive social impact on their community, and health and wellbeing, have been embraced and supported by their families.

“The Areas of Learning and Experience extracurricular provisions are just one of the many ways our activities can indirectly benefit parents and their children,” he said.

“The cooking classes are teaching learners skills that will be useful at home. They can in turn help their mums, dads or carers preparing meals, improve their nutrition, as well as building confidence and independence.

“These were just some examples of more than 21 case studies we provided from the last 12 months.”

Mr Davies added: “Talaxy, the school parental communication software, is another way we have opened further lines of communication with families.

“We were one of the first schools in Wales using it, and the system allows us to share everything from grades to attendance, weekly bulletins, parents’ evenings, and more, which means they can keep up to speed with all the latest news and information.

“That has been very well received and for our staff and pupils it is a way to ensure everyone is connected and up to date with their child’s needs.”

Ysgol Eirias engaged with Investors in Families at the beginning of the last academic year and will now work towards the Silver and Gold Awards, which will mean developing more activities and case studies.

Staff and pupils were also praised for inclusivity and equality – the school’s Diversity team meets regularly to champion equal rights, present assemblies, and conduct student surveys and earned a place on the Young Ambassadors Project for Show Racism the Red Card Wales.

Home visits, uniform banks and many other initiatives ensure a smooth transition from primary to secondary school for prospective pupils.

As one of the Top 10 Sunday Times ‘Parent Power’ high-performing schools in Wales, Mr Davies is confident they will continue to strengthen ties with stakeholders over the coming years.

“We are really proud to be just one of three secondary schools in North Wales to be accredited by Investors in Families and will not rest on our laurels,” he added.

“A healthy, transparent, and proactive relationships with the families of our pupils is pivotal to them getting the best possible education, to being happy and enjoying every aspect of their time with us.

“Historically, parental engagement will drop off when a child starts life at secondary school, but we are managing to reverse that trend.”

For more information on Ysgol Eirias, visit www.eirias.co.uk and follow them on social media @ysgoleirias. 

Visit www.investorsinfamilies.co.uk for more from Investors in Families. 

News

School DofE figures surge in tandem with record-breaking year for youth organisation

THE number of children signing up to the Duke Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award at a leading school has risen in tandem with national figures.

Ysgol Eirias in Colwyn Bay has enjoyed a surge in pupils beginning the youth scheme over the last 12 months, with more than 100 taking on the Bronze and Silver categories.

Teacher Sam Hawkins – who leads on DofE provision at the school – has plans to introduce the Gold standard from next September and hopes even more learners from across different year groups will get involved.

It comes as the DofE revealed more than 320,000 participants started their Award journey in 2022/23, the highest number in its 67-year history and a huge 10% increase.

The charity aims to reach one million young people by 2026, and Sam said Ysgol Eirias is proud to play its part.

“The school has seen a significant rise in pupils looking to partake in extra-curricular activities, notably the DofE awards scheme,” he said.

“They and their families recognise the value it can have in the future, towards their chosen career, applying to university and for their CVs, given the commitment to completing an expedition, volunteering and the physical and skills aspect outside of school hours.

“Since the pandemic we’ve seen more interest, with an initial 40 completing Bronze last year, and now Silver, and that is reflected in the huge number of people across the UK joining the scheme.

“Our progress has followed national progress, which has been really heartening and looks set to continue.”

Each student will contribute an average of 11 hours of voluntary work in the community, from litter picking to sports coaching, supporting vulnerable family and neighbours, and more.

“Our aim is for the vast majority of pupils to take part in the DofE scheme in the future, given the impact and achievement involved,” Sam added.

“It shows independence, brings together administrative and transferable skills, and shows that the participant is willing to go the extra mile, a big USP for potential employers.

“And the expedition enables them to demonstrate teamwork, navigation and map reading skills, first aid and other factors that can play a part in everyday life – it is an amazing foundation for them.”

Ysgol Eirias has introduced designated weeks where Areas of Learning and Experience can host innovative activities and events to encourage learning and mindfulness outside of school hours.

Led by Assistant Headteacher Alex Metcalfe, the sessions are held on-site in addition to schemes like the DofE, where learners give their own time at home or locally.

For more information on extra-curricular activities at Ysgol Eirias, visit www.eirias.co.uk and follow the new social media channel at @experienceeirias.

Visit www.dofe.org for more news and information on the DofE.