Hugs in mugs for school pupils

Friday 29 May 2020

Students at Les Voies School have been given a 'hug in a mug' each to help ensure their wellbeing which has been challenged during the corona virus lockdown.

The idea came about during Mental Health Awareness week, which was last week before the students broke up for their half term holiday.

Since the first awareness week, back in 2001, the week has been dedicated to raising awareness of specific topics such as stress, body-image, relationships, and this year the spotlight fell on 'kindness'.

This fits in well with the ethos at Les Voies, which is a school for Guernsey children that experience social, emotional, and mental health difficulties.

Headteacher Jonathan Furley said his school strives for a strong sense of community and the #GuernseyTogether message which has been used in recent months matches that. 

'We currently have students both attending in school as they would normally and another group of students’ distance learning from home with daily online and telephone support.

"With both the student and staff teams currently divided between home and school; and in celebration of mental health awareness week, which has the theme of kindness, we were keen to spread some joy to our students."

Pictured: Some of the students at Les Voies with their 'hug in a mug'. The mugs were designed and made by Island Mugs. 

When they are at school, students at Les Voies can attend voluntary 'Health & Wellbeing' sessions where they can enjoy a hot chocolate whilst they have their therapeutic coaching time. 

"So, as a fun and random act of kindness, we thought about how we could reach out to all the students, and the 'Hug in a Mug' was created," said Mr Furley.

"With the generous support of Intertrust, and Marie McNeela, Managing Director, appreciating this kind gesture immediately, we have been able to create a gift for every Les Voies student."  

The 'Hug in a Mug', contains a message from school, a personalised #Guernseytogether mug, Rebecca’s chocolates, a hot chocolate sachet, a chocolate flake and mini marshmallows.

#bunting4lib #DecoratetoLiberate
Les Voies students working hard to create bunting! Happy liberation Day everyone! pic.twitter.com/qaEaqi5rxA

— Lesvoies (@LesVoiesSchool) May 8, 2020

Above: Some Les Voies pupils have been attending school throughout the lockdown. 

Mr Furley said he is profoundly grateful for Intertrust’s support of this idea; adding that if we all take the time to be kind to other people, we can all reap the emotional reward.  

"The benefits of helping others is proven to be good for our own mental health and emotional wellbeing, but it can especially make a difference for those people who are vulnerable and struggling.

"Kindness could therefore transform our schools, places of work, communities, and families.  Being kind could be built into business decisions, government policy and official systems in a way that supports everyone’s mental health and also reduces discrimination and inequality. 

"However, it starts from an individual having a commitment to show kindness and appreciation in both words and actions.

Pictured: Marie McNeela. 

"At Les Voies, we wish to promote a kinder society that better protects our mental health and shapes a society that tips the balance in favour of positive health and emotional wellbeing, for everyone."

Ms McNeela said she was pleased to be involved in helping to spread some joy among the pupils at Les Voies.

"I’m delighted that Intertrust could help deliver some kindness into our community and I hope it inspires many more acts of kindness, not just for mental health week but beyond."

Pictured top: One of the mugs gifted to a pupil at Les Voies.