In Your Corner Solutions

10/03/2025

I always knew Baloo was a superstar, as is her owner Mandy, but now it’s official.

Baloo comes out to our afterschool clubs and all the children who meet her fall in love instantly.

Baloo is back with us next week and I can’t wait to give her a celebratory belly rub. ❤️

10/03/2025

Looking forward to getting out for a start of the week Men’s Walk and Talk this morning.

Always great to start the week with some light hearted conversation, a gentle stroll and a cuppa after.

Men’s Walk and Talk - Monday 10th March

Normal service resumes this week and looking forward to starting the week with a catch up, a stroll and a coffee with our wonderful group.

The early signs of spring are showing (wasn’t it nice to have some lovely weather over the weekend) and the lighter mornings and evenings certainly help raise the spirits for the day.

Usual meet time of 10am outside the Frinton Community Association at Soken House

07/03/2025

Life can be tough sometimes.

The cards can feel stacked against us, the pressure can feel overwhelming but sometimes we all need to sit back, reflect on what’s important (health, family, friends) and find a way to create some peace for ourselves.

In a session earlier in the week, the core focus navigated to love, with a little help from our rug and a bucket full of lego - and you maybe surprised that it was an adult session.

The conclusions drawn raised a bucket full of gratitude for:

A love in what we are blessed with. ❤️

A love of the air we breathe. ❤️

A love for those around us. ❤️

If you do nothing else this weekend, try to take time out to find something you are grateful for, hug those around you and appreciate the love that is there for you.

03/03/2025

Big thanks to Colin for covering the walk for me today.

Have a great walk gents as the early signs of spring might finally be upon us. 🤞🏻

Men’s Walk and Talk - Monday 3rd March

President Colin will be taking the reins this morning for today’s get together and as usual the walk will be followed by a catch up over tea and coffee.

Usual meet time of 10am outside the Frinton Community Association at Soken House

24/02/2025

The brolley will be ready to provide a little protection and I’ve no doubt that the chat will brighten the day regardless of the weather.

Men’s Walk and Talk - Monday 24th February

Well it’s another wet start to the week but I know our hardcore walkers will still get out for their weekly dose of fresh air and light hearted conversation.

For the first time in a long time, West Ham may even get a positive feature after their miracles at the weekend 😉

Usual meet time of 10am outside the Frinton Community Association at Soken House and as always, we’ll continue the chat over a warm cuppa.

14/02/2025

With half term almost upon us we get the benefit of a little time back next week with a pause in our afterschool clubs and in school support.

As a consequence, this frees a little capacity to host a few young people that might benefit from a chat around their world, be it some worries that are bubbling away to a lack of confidence with things in general.

We can’t solve everything in one hit but often, an offload and a bit of rationalisation can make a difference.

Get in touch if you have a young person that might be open to having someone in their corner for a session or two.

https://inyourcornersolutions.co.uk/contactus/

10/02/2025

We’ll be thinking of you this morning Steve, get well soon Sir ❤️

Our men’s walking group has created some close friendships and we’ll miss Steve’s wonderful humour this morning but we look forward to having him back with us soon. ❤️

09/02/2025

Day 7 of Children’s Mental Health Week

It’s the final day of a week dedicated to raising awareness around the importance of children’s mental health but the conversation must never stop.

The world today is more complex than it’s ever been for young people. The intrusion of social media and instant messaging platforms means that our young people are exposed to constant negative pressures.

Encouraging young people to switch off and find some down time is key, engaging in activities that allow the body and mind to find some peace.

A walk, bike ride or a bit of fun outside can be valuable distractions and with it being Sunday, why not make a pledge to get out today with your children and get some fresh air together.

And after today, let’s keep checking in with our young people and give them reassurance and confidence to share and express their thoughts and feelings.

08/02/2025

Day 6 of Children’s Mental Health Week

Quite often, our conversations with young people raise experiences of unkindness, with words used such as bullying, targeting, harassing etc.

Sometimes these words get used out of context but either way, any form of unkindness can leave wounds around the way we think and feel about ourselves. ☹️

No form of unkindness or bullying is ok and as much as we all want to say “ignore it” (after all bullies feed off vulnerability), that’s far easier said than done.

But one thing that is true, bullies act off their own insecurities and challenges and when on the receiving end, finding a way to tell someone will help.

Encouraging anyone who is being hurt through unkindness to talk and find ways to refocus is important.

Unkindness is unnecessary and everyone, not just children and young people, should take comfort from the fact that bullies NEVER win!

07/02/2025

Day 5 of Children’s Mental Health Week

Tips for schools…

We know the topic of mental health has been on the agenda for school assemblies the length and breadth of the country this week and we’re all for it. We’ve even had the privilege of hosting a few ourselves. 🙂

But let’s not allow the discussions to end this week.

Awareness and understanding of mental health should be a constant and the attached image from Place2Be, the organisation behind Children’s Mental Health Week, provides some ongoing tips and strategies for schools. ❤️

We spend a lot of time in schools supporting groups and individuals and our footprint is growing each week.

We have another fully qualified, child specialist counsellor coming aboard in the next couple of weeks which will extend our capacity to support in and out of schools further. ❤️

If your child’s school could do with some additional and personalised support, be it after school clubs, well-being workshops, 1-2-1 mentoring or bespoke counselling provision, pass across our details and we’d love to explore what’s possible.

For our local teachers and school staff, we’ve got you too. We know how challenging a school day is! ❤️

A typical school day is no longer just about teaching and learning and we know how many plates you’re having to spin every minute of the day which takes its toll on you. ☹️

If you’d like an outlet with some personalised support for you just shout and we’re there for you too because without you, our children wouldn’t have the benefit of all you provide for them. ❤️

06/02/2025

Day 4 of Children’s Mental Health Week

The theme of knowing yourself and growing yourself is centred largely around the development of resilience.

Resilience will grow through enhanced self-esteem and confidence.

The image attached provides five useful tips for parents to develop a home-life culture that will encourage expression, exploration and togetherness.

When young people truly believe they have the security to communicate at home, their willingness to explore and share their feelings will accelerate.

Journalling, reflection, recognition, mindfulness and communication are strong foundations that we can all place greater emphasis to. 🙂

05/02/2025

Day 3 of Children’s Mental Health Week

In an afterschool club earlier in the week we touched on some basic understanding around the topic of Mental Health.

We began with a question, “What is Mental Health?”

A number of hands went up.

The first answer, “when something’s wrong with you”.

Sadly this answer’s very common (not just with children) and naturally we spent a little bit of time exploring the fact that we all have mental health.

When we feel happy, loved or excited we have positive mental health.

When we’re feeling sad, worried or scared, our mental health is not so positive.

Simplifying language and developing understanding is such an enabler for children and young people.

When children understand that mental health can be both positive and negative it can lighten the load a little.

They also find some comfort from the fact that everyone experiences moments of worry or sadness from time to time.

When children are in a low moment and they know that they are not the only one with these feelings, they are likely to share their inner thoughts a little more.

Next time your child feels a little down, invite them to explain what the feelings are (if they can) or share with them an occasion when you’ve had similar feelings, it will make a difference.