"This had a huge positive impact on the pupils who were going through a stressful time with SATs and the anxiety of transition to secondary school. The children commented that they felt much calmer when leaving the sessions and “now I know what I can do to calm myself down”. This opportunity gave them the chance to learn in practice these techniques so that they could share them with others and help themselves. The pupils also commented “it’s good to know it’s not just me who gets worried and anxious” and “I can try and help others now”. They felt secure in the knowledge they had been given and could use this wherever and whenever they needed to. The project certainly worked very well with the pupils in school and the impact was clearly visible during the weeks before they left primary school. I can highly recommend Ms Wilkinson as a professional and feel that the project would be of great benefit to other pupils in the future. As I school, I am looking for ways of being able to fund such a project as the well-being of our staff and pupils is paramount and a project such as this would be highly beneficial."
Headteacher at Bay Primary School
"The meditation classes with Catherine were very interesting. The children were engaged and focused. She taught them comfortable positions to sit in to meditate, what chakras were and where they are in their bodies and the colour they were represented by. Catherine also read calming scripts she had written herself to help them find their inner animal and explore different routes to escape to and help relieve the stress and anxiety they felt as themselves by being in a different persona. All of the children involved had questions at the end of the session’s and overall, I think it was a good experience for them. I learnt that meditation is very effective and will look into ways I can put it into practice in the future. Very informative."
Teacher who observed the 4-week program
"My 11-year-old was offered the mediation programme through his school.
As a child who has ADHD and suffers from anxiety (including severe panic attacks) I was very keen for him to participate. He was quite nervous but was immediately put at ease and felt happy and comfortable.
He had one session per week over the course of 6 weeks and was taught a variety of techniques to help relax and calm both his body and mind. He came home after every session keen to try what he had learnt and discuss it with other family members. He has always struggled to switch off his mind from
Racing and over thinking and really found the techniques helpful on an evening when winding down and relaxing for bedtime. I think in a world where mental health problems are so apparent, especially in children, helping them learn how to help and protect their own mental health is absolutely essential.
This programme proved very helpful and more importantly enjoyable for my child and his own anxieties and worries that face children in everyday life today. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending the services of Catherine to anybody (adult or child). "
Parent of child in the 4-week program
"I am 12 years old and was asked to go to meditation at my primary school.
I suffer with anxiety a lot which I think is due to my ADHD. I feel sometimes I get very stressed very easily and this makes me anxious and worried about everything. I really enjoyed the sessions they were calming and relaxing and also quite fun. Cath showed me how to breathe calmly while thinking of different colours which really helped me. I often do this at home at night times to help me relax and sleep. Everything was short and easy to remember which was good for me as I also struggle to focus and remember things.
If I had the chance to do something like this again I would do it."
Child participating on the 4-week program
