Wellbeing for Life assembly for Sixth Formers

October 2022

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Martin Jones, pictured here with Year 12 students Bruno, Freddie and Amy.

Sixth Form students have today benefitted from an assembly delivered by Martin Jones, Hub Co-ordinator for South West Durham Wellbeing for Life initiative.

The programme, which is aimed at adults over 16 years of age, is designed to help promote behavioural changes that will improve both physical and mental health, leading to a healthier lifestyle overall. Various topics are covered from healthy eating and exercise to maintaining healthy relationships and developing resilience.

In the assembly, Mr Jones first discussed the initiative as a whole before focusing on issues which are particularly relevant to young people, stress, anxiety and the negative impact that energy drink consumption can have on health. As students prepare for exams and controlled assessments, the ability to manage and control stress levels is a hot topic, and many of our young people are unaware of the symptoms of stress and how to get help if they feel overwhelmed. The Wellbeing for Life initiative raises awareness, and offers a range of strategies to help them cope, whatever happens in their lives.

In terms of energy drinks, the UK has the second highest energy drink sales per head in the world, and a survey across 16 countries showed that consumption is highest between the ages of 10 and 18 years old. Many young people do not realise the links between energy drinks and health complaints such as headaches, stomach aches, vomiting, palpitations, dizziness, fainting, nervousness, tooth decay and sleeping problems, all of which can lead to poor concentration and academic performance. Just one energy drink can contain the caffeine of two strong cups of coffee and the sugar of six doughnuts, or 15 sugar cubes! Although energy drinks are already banned in our school, we hope that by raising awareness in this way our young people will make better choices outside of school too.