The Scribbled Self
What is The Scribbled Self?
The Scribbled Self is a unique writing for wellbeing resource co-created by young people in Gloucestershire. These contributors were previous beneficiaries of Beyond Words, our writing-in-residence programme in partnership with The Gloucestershire Hospital Education Service (GHES). A copy of this invaluable resource is already available in every secondary school across Gloucestershire. Our current project focuses on ensuring it is actively used in mainstream schools to support young people's mental wellbeing and foster a deeper understanding of mental health issues.
Aims:
Empowering Teachers:
We aim to equip teachers with the necessary resources and skills to use writing as a powerful tool for addressing mental health and wellbeing issues among their students
Supporting Young People:
Our goal is to provide young people aged 14+ in Gloucestershire with the resources to use writing as a means of managing their mental health, offering a creative outlet for their thoughts and feelings
Encouraging Peer Support:
The resource facilitates peer-to-peer advice and suggestions, fostering a supportive community among young people experiencing similar challenges
The Need for The Scribbled Self
Mental wellbeing is a growing concern in educational settings across the UK. With an estimated five children in every classroom experiencing a mental health problem, schools are increasingly seen as critical environments for promoting mental health. However, specialist mental health services for schools are currently overstretched, with waiting times for children accessing help through CYPMHS (Children and Young People's Mental Health Services) having doubled since 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated these issues, leading to a significant increase in young people facing mental health challenges.
Young Minds, a leading mental health charity, has highlighted the need for schools to prioritise wellbeing in their catch-up planning post-COVID. The National Literacy Trust's research supports this, finding that children and young people who enjoy writing and have a positive attitude towards it tend to have higher mental wellbeing scores than their peers who do not.
Through The Scribbled Self, young people are invited to participate in writing for wellbeing workshops. These workshops help them develop a positive relationship with writing, enabling them to express their thoughts and emotions and tap into their creativity.
Insights from Beyond Words
The creation of The Scribbled Self was guided by key learnings from our Beyond Words programme:
- Crucial Age Group: Working with young people aged 14-16 is vital, as this is the age when referrals to GHES for mental wellbeing issues increase dramatically
- Value of Peer Support: Young people place significant importance on the support of peers who are experiencing similar challenges
- Limited Resources: There is a scarcity of resources created by young people for young people
- School Support: Schools need effective resources to support their students' mental health and wellbeing
Over the six years of Beyond Words, continuous evaluation demonstrated the positive impact of writing on the mental health and wellbeing of participants. The National Literacy Trust's 2021 evaluation of Beyond Words concluded that the project helped many young people recognize how writing can express their feelings and thoughts, ultimately improving their mental health.
Get Involved
To find out more about The Scribbled Self and how your school can get involved, please email us.
