Mary Bell states it is her "deep belief that by experiencing time in nature, we are enabling the healing benefits of the environment around us to help create a better future for our earth & ourselves". In this episode we explore the reasons why nature is an integral part of our wellbeing journey, how we can fit in time with nature whether that be in our workspaces or in our own time.

Read the Nature Fix by Florence Williams - http://www.florencewilliams.com/the-nature-fix

UK Connections - recommended by Mary

Miles Richardson - University of Derby - https://twitter.com/findingnature

Incredible Edible - Foraging - https://twitter.com/IncEdNetwork - https://twitter.com/TFB_Institute

The Forest Bathing Institute - https://twitter.com/TFB_Institute

Forest Mind UK - https://www.forestmind.uk/

Space for Nature - http://www.spacefornature.co.uk/

Learning Through Landscapes - funding for schools for outdoor equipment - https://www.ltl.org.uk/projects/local-school-nature-grants/

Connect with Mary Bell

Visit Mary's website 

Find Mary on Instagram

You can find out more about us at Mindfulness for learning on our

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Samuel Hart is the Founder of TeachStrong. TeachStrong "provide education professionals with the essential tools they need to revitalise their health and well-being."

Sam joins me tto share many practical self-care tips. Whether you are wanting to get a better sleep, develop a mindfulness practice, fit in more exercise or better connect with colleagues and friends Sam has got lots to share to help you along the way. This is a really helpful episode full of practical tips and ideas to support you on your self-care journey.

This episode was edited by Ben Corbett

Connect with Sam

Twitter 

Facebook 

Instagram

Book the TeachStrong training/workshops

Explore the TeachStrong Website

Connect with Mindfulness for learning

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With her book Self-Compassion for Educators being released one year ago in June (2022) Lisa Baylis explores the themes of her book with Sophie, including self-compassion, mindfulness, how we work alongside unsupportive systems and finding space when we feel overwhelmed. Lisa’s book offers a variety of practical tips and this episode is no different, undoubtedly you will come away feeling lighter and well equipped to begin your self-care journey.

This episode was edited by Ben Corbett.

Find Lisa Baylis on

Twitter

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Website

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Find out more about us here: Mindfulnessforlearning.com

Sophie speaks to the author of The Wellbeing Toolkit and more recently the The Wellbeing Curriculum. Andrew states that his first book "was 26 years in the making" and in this conversation they go right back to discuss Andrew's childhood, his entrance into teaching and explore the moments that influenced and developed his love for wellbeing in the workplace.

Sophie speaks to Andrew about his life, family and passions including who his wellbeing heroes are, the latest addition to his family, his granddaughter honey, and what he thinks about phonics!

This episode was edited by Ben Corbett.

Andrew

Find Andrew on Twitter

Healthy Toolkit Website

Find Andrew's "wellbeing heroes" on Twitter

Kelly Hannaghan

Patrick Ottley-O'Connor

Adrian Bethune

Founders of Healthy Toolkit HQ

Find Healthy Toolkit HQ

Helen Dlamini

Maria O’Neill 

Matt Young

Sophie talks to Rhiannon Phillips Bianco - Leader of Wellbeing and Positive Education at Southlands British International School in Rome. Rhiannon shares her expertise on looking after the wellbeing of those who move around the world regularly, how change can impact a person's sense of belonging and also discusses why it is important to educate children and young people about mental health and wellbeing in general. Rhiannon also explores the controversial relationship between the current curriculum and the mental health of educators and children in schools.

This episode was edited by Ben Corbett.

Follow Rhiannon on Twitter and LinkedIn

Read Rhiannon's articles for the TES

Read Rhiannon's article in Wanted in Rome Magazine

Watch a short film about Rhiannon's previous work in schools 

*Learn more and join the Mindfulness for learning community here.

The Canal and River Trust is a charity that "looks after and brings to life 2,000 miles of waterways". On their website they say “that spending time by water, whether it be your lunch break, daily commute or just a weekend stroll, really can make us feel happier and healthier” so I checked in with the trusts Learning and Skills Coordinator, Helen Evans to chat water, wellbeing and schools.

Canal and River Trust for Kids

Canal and River Trust School Resources

"Making life better by water" - Short Film

John Muir Schools’ Award – Teachers’ Framework

Catalina Bórquez is the COO of The Herbtender.

The Herbtender create "supplements that support your body's ability to recalibrate in the face of life's daily stresses."

Cata kindly chats adaptogens with us, going through her favourites, how we should be navigating them safely and discusses the popularity of adaptogens in foods.

Find herbalists 

Kids vitamin list from Cata:

I like Sambucus - Naturally supports the immune system and tastes great (daughter approves!)

Optibac probiotic gummies for every day. But after a course of antibiotics or stomach bug I would always use their sachets (add to their milk or juice). And I also suggest Omega 3, particularly if their diet is not great as this fatty acid is essential for brain development and keeping inflammation levels down.

Ingredients to look out for (nasties) in kids' vitamins:

Anything that is there as a binder, bulk, sweetener. Examples are: Talc, maltodextrin and anything that is not a vitamin or natural ingredient I would encourage you to do a quick google.

This episode was edited by Ben Corbett

Judy Barrington-Smuts explores her experiences of Postnatal depression including how she accepted her ill mental health, her experiences of being in a Mother Baby Unit (MBU) and how this affected the people around her. 

Jude has now recovered and sharing her story can bring hope to those experiencing postnatal depression right now. The most important message from this episode is that it will get better.

This episode was edited by Ben Corbett

Advice and Support

Mastitis

NHS Postnatal Depression 

Support for Perinatal Mental Illness 

Maternal Mental Health Alliance 

The book recommended by Jude in the episode 

Dr Oscar Serrallach - The Postnatal Depletion Cure: A Complete Guide to Rebuilding Your Health and Reclaiming Your Energy for Mothers of Newborns, Toddlers and Young Children

Mindfulness for learning encourages the use of local bookstores if you want to purchase any of our recommended books. Click here to find your nearest local book shop.

Helen Barnes shares her experiences of being a Learning Mentor with Sophie. She discusses the role, explores it's challenges and shares the things she loved about the job.

They also have a good chat about childcare, secondary education, children with additional needs, wellbeing in education, handwriting and the increase in childhood poverty.

Relevant Links:

Guardian article: Child poverty now costs Britain £38bn a year, says new independent report

Suicide prevention charities

https://www.papyrus-uk.org/

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/

Flexible working

Ofsted report referred to in the episode - Research and analysis. Supporting SEND

Sir Ken Robinson

RSA ANIMATE: Changing Education Paradigms:

Book mentioned in episode: The Caring Teacher by Rob Potts. 

Mindfulness for learning encourages the use of local bookstores if you want to purchase any of our recommended books. Click here to find your nearest local book shop.

Helen Barnes shares her experiences of being a Learning Mentor with Sophie. She discusses the role, explores it's challenges and shares the things she loved about the job.

They also have a good chat about childcare, secondary education, children with additional needs, wellbeing in education, handwriting and the increase in childhood poverty.

Relevant Links:

Guardian article: Child poverty now costs Britain £38bn a year, says new independent report

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/sep/19/child-poverty-now-costs-britain-38bn-a-year-says-new-independent-report

Suicide prevention charities

https://www.papyrus-uk.org/

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/

Flexible working

https://www.gov.uk/flexible-working

Ofsted report referred to in the episode - Research and analysis. Supporting SEND

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-send/supporting-send

Sir Ken Robinson

http://sirkenrobinson.com/

RSA ANIMATE: Changing Education Paradigms:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U&t=21s

The Caring Teacher by Rob Potts. Mindfulness for learning encourages you to support your local bookshop. Before purchasing this book online get in touch with your local bookshop to see if they have it or can order it in for you.