Polka Theatre offers free digital Mental Health and Wellbeing Workshops to schools

Photo credit: Polly Simmonds

Acclaimed children’s theatre company Polka have created a series of digital Mental Health and Wellbeing workshops to be freely accessed by schools, from Reception to Year 6. 

These workshops are moving online, followed successful in-person sessions that took place last Autumn. The videos use drama activities to bring an interactive, practical and fun approach to talking about mental health at a young age. Using the fictional story of Mo, a boy living through lockdown during the pandemic, children will be able to explore the problems and stresses he faces, making connections with their own experiences and emotional challenges. All recordings will be accompanied by activity sheets to engage learning further. 

Polka’s Artistic Director Peter Glanville said: “With one in six children now having a probable mental health disorder (NHS Digital/ONS), it is essential that we do all we can to support them through this pandemic. Children's mental health is as important as their physical health, and many are experiencing increased levels of anxiety. These filmed workshops, free to schools and the community, are part of a 10-month programme from Polka Theatre, helping children to express and understand the feelings and emotional challenges they are facing.”

For more information, please click here.