Everyday Practices that Make a Difference

Posted on August 5, 2016
By Devon Kerslake

A new inititative of the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation is motivated by this idea:

"Imagine if we unleashed all schools' full potential to foster the social and emotional wellbeing of children and youth" 

This notion is at the core of the inspiring effort known as WellAhead and it is already having an impact on6 schools in British Columbia, Canada.

In a Nutshell

In their own words (from the WellAhead website), the intitiative:

"focuses on one of a diverse range of complementary approaches to addressing the needs of schools and students: the integration of wellbeing into school culture, practices and environments (see bottom-left of diagram). Over the next five years, in collaboration with partners and stakeholders, WellAhead will work with communities and provinces across Canada to advance how schools can make wellbeing part of their DNA."

What a great statement!

I agree that it is so important to honour wellbeing- especially for our children as we support their development at school. So, how can we make wellbeing such an integral part of our school communities? What can we learn from the WellAhead model?

 Diving in

Already the WellAhead initiative is drawing from a wealth of co-designed ideas generated from August-December 2015. Building on this knowledge, they have been putting some ideas into practice through protyping.

Click on any of these links below to read a small sampling of the "Everyday Practices" that are currently bing protyped to promote wellbeing:

Talking Circles

Be In Nature

The Monday Morning Connection

There are so many more! I invite you to explore and find some more everyday practices that resonate with you. By the Fall of 2016 you can even add your own!

 

The Big Picture

Building on an extensive research and consultation period, learnings have been translated into the following core values and principles of the WellAhead model:

COLLABORATION

WellAhead brings people together from different stakeholder groups (educators, administrators, students, parents, and community partners) to collectively determine how to advance wellbeing in schools. This approach recognizes the different types of knowledge that exist and how our collective intelligence can shape the most innovative ideas.

MASS PARTICIPATION

Education is an issue of public interest, and requires broad input and buy-in in order to inform future directions. WellAhead aims to include as many people as possible in its processes through wide consultation, fluid opportunities for participation, and novel methods of engagement.

COLLECTIVE OWNERSHIP

Rather than providing people with a solution, WellAhead supports communities in shaping a vision they can collectively stand behind, and support them in a change process. We aim to act as a catalyst and convenor for community-led efforts. 

TRANSPARENCY

There is so much that can be gained if we openly share our learnings. WellAhead will make all its tools and materials available, and will actively share what is learned along the way in a manner that sparks discussion and informs practice. 

EMERGENCE

Complex problems are difficult to plan around. As such, WellAhead embraces an emergent approach whereby plans and directions are iteratively and informed by feedback from partners and stakeholders.

Does this model resonate with you? Perhaps you can see parallels within your own organization or neighbourhood group? I would love to hear your insights.

Inspired to learn more? Check out the WellAhead BLOG to see what's new! 

Topics:
Youth, Education, Cities Deepening Community


Devon Kerslake

By Devon Kerslake

Devon believes in the positive, transformative power of art for all communities great and small. She holds an MA in Cultural Studies with a special emphasis on Curatorial Practices. Following this degree, Devon worked for the Winnipeg Film Group supporting Canadian Independent film and for the University of Winnipeg Cultural Studies Research Group as a Project Coordinator specializing in academic learning events.

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