How to boost children’s health and well-being

Evolve’s Health Mentors are already changing children’s lives in 23 primary schools in Wales and several comprehensives.

As our figures show, our Project HE:RO, pre-transition camps and XLR8 transition camps are improving not only the academic achievements of children, but their health and wellbeing too, so they are able to learn and thrive. Our programmes develop ambitious, capable, healthy and confident individuals, ready to lead fulfilling lives as valued members of society in Wales.

Evolve works closely with schools to deliver programmes that bring together mentoring, physical activity and classroom coaching. We believe that supporting pupil health, wellbeing and personal development is needed now more than ever. Our approach is to deliver positive attitudes and tailored interventions to suit each child and school we work with. We promote reading, writing and numeracy alongside emotional and physical fitness.

But don’t just take our word for this. One head teacher reports: “All FSM children that were recipients of the Project HE:RO interventions achieved the Welsh Assembly Government’s expected Level 4 in English and Mathematics at the end of Key Stage 2; this would have been very difficult to achieve without Project HE:RO.” Evolve’s nine Welsh-based Health Mentors act as positive role models and mentors in Llanelli, Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Cardiff, Caerphilly and Newport local authorities.

Improving the educational performance of children in Wales

Analysis of the impact of Evolve’s Health Mentors across seven schools in Bridgend between March and December 2015 showed improvements in: