‘Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing’ School Awards Ceremony 2022

On Wednesday 8th June 2022 Ballymena Academy was one of twenty Primary and fourteen Post Primary Schools in the NHSCT area that received accreditation as a ‘Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing’ School for the work we have completed for wellbeing initiatives delivered across our school community in 2021/2022, since the launch of the ‘Take 5 Schools’ initiative in March 2020.

On Wednesday 8th June 2022 Ballymena Academy was one of twenty Primary and fourteen Post Primary Schools in the NHSCT area that received accreditation as a ‘Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing’ School for the work we have completed for wellbeing initiatives delivered across our school community in 2021/2022, since the launch of the ‘Take 5 Schools’ initiative in March 2020.

The Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing; Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give is an evidence-based public health message aimed at improving wellbeing. Based on the Five Ways to Wellbeing developed by the New Economics Foundation, these simple and effective messages are grounded in solid evidence and draw on a wealth of psychological and economic literature from inter-disciplinary work.

These simple 5 steps to wellbeing contribute to improving wellbeing in its fullest sense, both physically and emotionally, where people can feel good and function well. Evidence indicates that it is individuals who practice all ‘5 steps’ who have the highest level of wellbeing.

The Take 5 schools model originated from a Community Planning Working Group, headed by the PHA, where partners from Voluntary, Community and Statutory agencies came together to look at what can be done collectively to support the wellbeing of our young people. Launched in March 2020, this is the first year that schools have been able to come together, reconnect and celebrate their achievements.

Congratulations to Ballymena Academy who, with other schools, was complemented for showing innovation and enthusiasm in bringing the model to life. As a result Ballymena Academy was awarded the highest level of award (level 3).