Tayler

on

Make (Good) Trouble and Sussex University are thrilled to announce the award winning comic and audiobook Sci-Fi series, The Rez has been awarded a PSHE Quality Mark for their new teaching guide and school lesson plans for Key Stage 2.

Make (Good) Trouble worked with the PSHE Association, Sussex University and educators to develop the lesson plans which support teachers in delivering lessons on kindness as part of PSHE education. The guides are designed to create a safe and engaging learning environment in which to teach about kindness and communication

“Our research shows that unfortunately a significant proportion of children are frequently on the receiving end of bullying behaviours. Developing empathy and encouraging kindness can make a big difference when it comes to bullying, so resources that support teachers to bring this into their classroom this are extremely valuable.”  Martha Evans, Director of Anti-Bullying Alliance

The Rez was developed by UK Comic Book Laureate Hannah Berry and a team of writers and psychologists, including Robin Banerjee, Professor of Kindness and Head of Psychology at University of Sussex. 

This comic book contains pro-social and emotional well-being messaging about friendship and kindness, designed to help young people prepare to negotiate emotional difficulties and stresses.

The Rez’s heroes are played by Karl Queensborough, who played Hamilton in the West End show of the same name, and Emily Burnett, Children’s BAFTA award winner.

👉 Download the lesson plans here!

The Rez is produced in collaboration with: 

Make (Good) Trouble CIC
University of Sussex
PHSE Association
Arts Council England
University of Brighton
Hopscotch
Anti Bullying Alliance
Periscope
Millipedia

on

When we run our holiday clubs, we start by asking the young attendees to agree their own rules. The one thing that is always on the list is “no bullying”. 

This summer our rules also included “be kind”, “be polite”, “listen to each other”, “no name calling”, “no offensive language”, and of course, “have fun”. These rules all help to promote a culture of inclusion and friendliness and create a club that young people want to come back to day after day. 

Make (Good) Trouble club rules

This year, Make (Good) Trouble joined the Anti Bullying Alliance. We want to help raise awareness of the issues around bullying. Did you know that 25% of school pupils have been bullied “a lot of always” (ABA research, 2016)? Did you know that bullying can have long-lasting effects, right into adulthood? And that those at risk of being targeted are more likely to be looked after children; registered as SEN; LGBTQ+; those of a different faith; children on free school meals; or those with a disability. 

So we have signed up to the alliance which:

  • believes bullying in any form is wrong and should not be tolerated, and that any environment that encourages bullying, or shows indifference to prejudice and discrimination is unacceptable;
  • believes bullying is a behaviour choice and that anyone can be encouraged to change their behaviour;
  • believes all children and young people have intrinsic value and worth and we embrace their uniqueness and autonomy;
  • respects difference and welcome diversity in our children, young people and in society in general, and believe our work should be inclusive of all;
  • believes children and young people should have the right to feel safe, secure and valued, and that creating a safe environment and dealing with bullying is our shared responsibility;
  • believes children and young people should actively participate in decisions that affect them and should be supported in taking responsibility for their choices and subsequent actions;
  • supports a range of positive strategies to deal with bullying and actively challenge the use of humiliation, fear,  ridicule and other similar approaches in an effort to reduce bullying;
  • works within the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (Articles 14 and 28); and
  • believes that people should be treated with respect and courtesy.

The Anti Bullying Alliance has loads of great free training and resources on their website. We hope you’ll be moved to join the alliance. 

on

As part of our programme of parent and carer get-togethers – our amazing beach walks – we spoke to psychotherapist Donna Peters-Lamb about teen mental health, wellbeing and tips for dealing with:

  • school stress
  • anxiety and exam stress – including how to speak to your teenager and the school about anxiety
  • the teenage brain – when teens seem like they just don’t care!
  • how to manage conversations around their mental health
  • breathing techniques for de-stressing
  • sleep and creating a better sleep routine
  • setting boundaries and expectations – around what we expect as parents, and what our teenagers expect
  • how to look after ourselves
  • and the benefits of having ‘worry time’.

It’s a fascinating discussion, so grab a cuppa and dive in!

This project has been supported by the Sussex Care Partnership, Brighton & Hove City Council

Brighton & Hove City Council logo

For further help & advice

If you need further help or advice, check our Help pages – they cover lots of different topics. (If we’ve missed something, let us know!)

Find out more about Donna at Make Sense Psychotherapy

on

We’re super excited to be running our summer club again this July/August as part of the East Sussex Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.

Our clubs are planned and run by young people, alongside our experienced team. We have a range of activities planned centred around audio recording and photography. We have trips planned around the East Sussex countryside and seaside. We will go on nature walks and try out taster sessions for paddle-boarding.

Attendees will have the chance to document their experiences at the club. They will gain skills as roving reporters, with the sound footage edited to create our very first HAF podcast! 

We will host safe outdoor cooking sessions (weather permitting), such as BBQs with healthy homemade menus designed by and for the children. 

At The Joff, Peacehaven.

The club will run from 11am to 4pm, Monday to Thursday, from 25 July to 4 August.

Our two-week summer club is free to young people in receipt of benefits-related free school meals (FSM).

This project will give children the opportunity to make good memories, during one of the most uncertain times in recent history, as well as teaching them valuable transferable skills in media production, confidence, team building and hands on learning.

👉 Places are limited, so register today for your free place.

Feedback for Make (Good) Trouble HAF Clubs:

⭐️ “I’m gonna miss everyone a lot, including the grown upsI” Attendee feedback, Summer 2021

⭐️ “I’ve been coming for the whole summer (4 weeks), I was meant to go on holiday but decided to stay at the club instead.” Attendee feedback, Summer 2021

⭐️ “He came home happy every day and I can’t thank you enough for that.” Parentfeedback, Summer 2021

⭐️ “The fact that she’s had an opportunity to try [photography] out for herself and has just loved it is really, really great, because it could be more than a hobby for her.”  Parent feedback, Summer 2021