At MPH we are always looking for different ways to continue supporting our team’s wellbeing, both mental and physical. With this in mind, it only made sense that we would join Early Years Wellbeing Week, as we’ve been doing for the past few years. This is an initiative that looks to create awareness about the importance of supporting early years’ workers mental wellbeing, acknowledging the demands of the job they do every day.

As usual, we planned a whole week of activities with a holistic approach in mind. Every day there were different activities aiming to support our staff’s overall wellbeing.

We started by coming together to share different ideas on how to recharge our ‘emotional batteries’. We also shared a ‘wellbeing bingo’ with different activities to encourage our team to look after themselves; this one, we actually shared with our parent community as well, encouraging them to role model healthy activities to their little ones. On a different day, we also shared the power of positive affirmations, the idea was to take what they needed, and share what they thought would help someone else.

As we know mental and physical wellness are closely linked, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to challenge our team on a simple action that can do wonders for our health: a water drinking challenge!!

We also welcomed our team with a healthy breakfast, with an offer of whole fruits, yoghurt and smoothies, as well as vitamin shots to boost up our immune systems.

And of course, little treats had to be part of the week! On Thursday, during our weekly staff meeting we hosted a ‘sip and paint’ session, where our staff got to show us their more creative sides, painting on canvas or small plant pots, while sipping on some bubbles, or juice.

To close the week, we swapped our traditional ‘goodie bags’ to something more personalised: each staff member got to make their own bag, choosing the items that were more in tune with their current needs and wishes.

We loved to see how happy and appreciated our team felt, and the week was a great reminder of the power that even the smallest act of kindness can have on someone else’s day.

Vitamin shots to boost our immunity, and a yummy healty breakfast!

Wellbeing bingo and tips to recharge the emotional batteries. As well as some words of affirmation to share.

A ‘sip and paint’ session to let the creative sides emerge and flow.

Closing the week with a selection of small items for each staff to create their own goodie bag, taking what matched their interests and needs.