Five Ways Happy Days
Welcome to Five Ways Happy Days!
The Five Ways Happy Days programme helps pupils understand how small, everyday actions can improve wellbeing and build resilience. It provides a universal approach to mental health within schools, aiming to reduce pressure on youth mental health services. The initiative also supports staff and enhances school communities through a clubs and groups accreditation scheme.
Some of our Accredited Schools
The Programme
Five Ways Happy Days focuses on empowering young people with the tools they need to thrive. The programme is built around the acronym CLANG, represented by a 'high-five' logo, with each finger and thumb symbolising one of the five key actions:
Connect:
Connect with others socially or through an interest of a hobby.
Learn:
Learn a new skill, read a book, explore new places.
Active:
Go for a walk or do some moderate exercise that you like to do. Release your feel-good endorphins.
Notice:
Be mindful of the present moment and appreciate the world around you. This could be spending time in nature.
Give:
Doing things for other can make you feel good about yourself. Help a friend or a neighbour.
How We Support Schools and Students
- Student Journals: Each child receives a personal journal to use during lessons, helping them integrate the Five Ways Happy Days into their daily lives.
- Classroom Reminders: Signage featuring the Five Ways Happy Days logos are placed in classrooms to encourage children to practice these principles every day.
- Teacher Resources: Teachers have access to a dedicated app to log lessons and track student participation and word cloud boards to capture information.
- Community and Parental Involvement: We offer workshops and assemblies for parents and community groups, promoting a supportive community around the children.
- Five Ways Ambassadors are being introduced in each school to be advocates of the programme.
Our Journey So Far
Since Five Ways Happy Days was introduced:
- Co-designed the project with three primary schools in Bolton.
- Seven schools have been onboarded.
- Delivered 158 activities to 1,398 school pupils.
Our Vision for the Future
To embed the Five Ways Happy Days across the borough, supporting young people to improve their well-being through simple, everyday actions. By working with schools, clubs, and community groups, we aim to create a shared approach to mental health that builds resilience and strengthens support networks for children and young people.
To find out more about the Five Ways Happy Days programme
Contact: Eddy Kavanagh
Email: [email protected]
Could you be a Mental Health Community Champion?
If you care about helping others, have a positive attitude and want to make a difference where you live, we’d love to have you on board.
Become a Community Champion