Shelby Smith Wellbeing

20/01/2026

Today's topic: physical health and mental health.

Your body and mind are deeply connected.

💙 When you take care of your physical health, you are also supporting your mental health.

Regular movement, balanced nutrition, quality sleep, and staying hydrated can help reduce stress, improve mood, boost focus, and increase energy. Even small steps like a short walk or gentle stretching can make a difference.

At the same time, poor physical health can strongly affect mental wellbeing.

Living with illness or chronic health conditions can bring stress, anxiety, low mood, grief, frustration, or isolation. This is not a personal failure. It is a human response to ongoing physical challenges.

Some of these coping skills can help support mental health during these times:

• Practice self-compassion and adjust expectations.
• Pace activities and honor your body’s limits.
• Use relaxation techniques like deep breathing, yoga or mindfulness.
• Stay connected with supportive people.
• Focus on what you can control, one day at a time.
• Seek professional support when needed.

Caring for your body is not about perfection. It is about compassion, flexibility, and support. Mental health is health, and both deserve patience, understanding, and care. 🌱

If you or somebody you know is struggling with your/their mental health, please reach out!

I can offer affordable and flexible sessions to support you. For more information text/WhatsApp 07927684389 or email shelbysmithwellbeing@gmail.com
Or check out my website to see what types of support I can offer on shelbysmithwellbeing.co.uk

18/01/2026

Today's topic: Checking in on loved ones.

Sometimes the people closest to us aren’t doing as well as they seem or say they are.

Here are a few quiet signs a friend, family member, or loved one might be struggling:

• They say they’re “fine” but seem distant or withdrawn.
• They cancel plans or stop reaching out.
• They’re always taking care of others but never themselves.
• They joke about being exhausted or overwhelmed.
• Their mood or energy feels different than usual.
• They say they are 'just tired' but it seems like more than just tired.

Not everyone knows how to ask for help.
And not everyone feels safe enough to.

Checking in doesn’t require the perfect words.
A simple “I’m here for you” can make all the difference or asking them how they really feel when they say "I'm fine".

Let’s look out for our friends, our families, and the people we love 🤍

If you or a loved one need some support please reach out. Don't keep it all inside.

If you are looking for affordable support in Leeds UK, I have sessions available, please contact me on text/WhatsApp/email, or check out my website for more information.

Text/WhatsApp : 07927684389
Email: shelbysmithwellbeing@gmail.com
Website: shelbysmithwellbeing.co.uk

Please like, comment or share this post so that it reaches as many people as possible!

16/01/2026

Hi Everybody, so I have been making lots of changes this week with my service, what I'm offering and my website , to try and make my service available for anybody who needs it!

Some of the changes I have made:

- Changing my website to be more inviting, calming and more easily accessible. (I will also be continuing to regularly edit my website to reflect any upcoming changes, so please keep checking my website).
-Changing my age ranges from 11-30 year olds to anybody over 11 years old , so that anybody can approach my service and not be turned away!
- I am now offering Block sessions at a 10% discount (pictured below), so that it's a little bit cheaper to book many sessions, and so that people can feel a better sense of routine if they block book!
- I'm now offering some Sunday sessions, to make my service more accessible for people who are working through the week.
- and lastly, I have changed my business card to reflect these changes so that there is no confusion about what I offer. (My new business cards should be coming today! Exciting!)

If there are any more changes you would like to see, or that would make my service more accessible, please do comment and let me know! I'm always open to new suggestions to make my service better for everyone!

14/01/2026

Please like and share 🦋

13/01/2026

Hi Everyone, I just want to say:

I have an exciting update! 🎉
I’m expanding my age range and will now be working with anyone aged 11+. If you or someone you know might be interested, feel free to get in touch or share this post 😊

Why?

I have had some people over 30 years old show interest in what I'm doing with my service and say they felt they were missing out because of the age range I had set for my service, the reason I originally set this age range is because I have a lot of experience working with 11-25 year olds and didn't think that anybody older than 30 would feel comfortable enough talking to me, with me being only 28 years old - but I realise now that I may have been wrong and that I was only doing this to help people feel comfortable talking to me, when I'm reality - not everybody judges my experience based on my age, so from now on my age range is 11+ for any of the services I offer.

The reason I won't work with young people under 11 years old outside of educational or youth work service settings is due to the rules and regulations around confidentiality and Gillick competency, but I can absolutely work with young people under 11 if the sessions can take place in a school or similar standardised setting and with clear and well understood confidentiality and explicit consent from parents/carers/guardians and the young person. - if you would like any more information about this, please ask away!

If you or anybody you know are interested in what I can offer, you can email, text or WhatsApp me on the details listed below, or you can check out my website below!

Text/WhatsApp: 07927684389

Email: shelbysmithwellbeing@gmail.com

Website: shelbysmithwellbeing.co.uk

05/01/2026

Today's topic: How does an introductory video call session work at Shelby Smith Wellbeing?📞 🖥️

I offer a free 30 minute introductory session for new young people aged 11-30 years old who interested in my services. (Only bookable for the first session)

This session is about meeting me, looking at ways that I can help/support you, asking me any questions that you may have about sessions and most importantly - seeing if I am the right fit for you!

There is absolutely no pressure to continue having sessions with me after this if I'm not the right fit, you don't like me or the way I work or you just don't want to continue! I offer this 30 minute session so that you can try out my service without having to commit to anything (unless of course - you would like to continue).

⭐What happens before/during/after an introductory session?⭐

🔴 You book your free session on the link below or text/WhatsApp/email me to book in! (Phone:07927684389, Email: shelbysmithwellbeing@gmail.com).

🟠 I send you a link for your booked video call by email/text/WhatsApp (whatever you prefer) and also send you my contract and a form to fill in and send back, before your booked session.

🟡you access the video call link on the day and time of your booking and the session starts.

🟢I introduce myself, talk a bit about what I can offer and talk about contracting details such as confidentiality, how to contact me and professional boundaries.

🔵 I might ask a few questions about you, such as 'what made you want to book a session with me?' (to find out how I can start to help) , 'is there anything I can do to help you access my sessions or make things a bit easier?' (to make sure that you receive tailored help,and make sure my sessions are as accessible as possible for you) and 'what would you like sessions to look like?' (to make sure that I can work in a way that fits your needs, maybe you are a creative person and would like to chat whilst doing crafty things, or you just want to talk and I can listen, or you would like to work on coping skills for every day life or you want any other ways of working- whatever is best for you!), I may also ask some questions about you, what life looks like for you, what you may be struggling with, you only have to answer if you feel comfortable!

🟣 You can ask me any questions about myself, the way I work, prices for future sessions (prices are also all on my website shelbysmithwellbeing.co.uk), this is your session and you can ask whatever you like!

🟤 We can just chat after this or we can finish the session if you have all of the information you need/want, no pressure to use the whole 30 minutes unless you want to!

⚫Session ends, you can have a think about if you would like more sessions (or not), have a think about if I'm the right fit for you (or not) and if you decide you want to, you can book another session on the link or contact me again (or not), there is absolutely no pressure!

If this sounds like something you would be interested in, or you know somebody who may be interested, please check out or pass on my website, the link below for booking or text/WhatsApp or email me.

https://www.sumupbookings.com/shelby-smith-wellbeing

01/01/2026

It is 2026! Happy New year!
From Shelby Smith Wellbeing, I hope that the new year brings hope, love and happy moments for everybody 🎆 Please keep safe and practice self care to bring in the new year x

28/12/2025

I'm really looking forward to being involved with the neuro diversity support group and being part of the new mental health drop in-- in the new year!

Yorkshire Academy for Neurodiversity and Mental Health: 2025 in review and plans for 2026 🌈

We’ve had a fantastic 2025. In the last 28 days alone, there have been over 242,000 views, and this community has grown to almost 3,000 followers from all over the world – a sign of how many people are searching for better support around ADHD, autism and mental health. 🌍✨

🎪 What we’ve done in 2025

- Collaboration and resources used by organisations including CAMHS and the DWP, focusing on both mental health and neurodiversity. 🤝
- Talks on neurodiversity and mental health at Hyde Park Unity Day in Leeds. 🎤
- Mental health and neurodiversity drop-in at United CommUnity Care Fayre in Leeds. ☕
- Talk on neurodiversity, trauma and substance use for the Bradford Children and Families Trust. 🧠
- Talk on substance misuse, mental health and neurodiversity for ROAR Drug and Alcohol Service in Kent. 🚦
- Workshop on mental health and neurodiversity at the launch of Sheppey Pulse Network Charity in Kent. 🎓
- 5 ADHD/AuDHD/autism support groups and a child and family mental health fair in Meanwood. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
- 13 weekly neurodiversity and mental health support groups in Brackenwood. 🌈
- 1 Christmas trauma and bereavement support group
- 1 adult mental health support group
- 1 children and family mental health group
- 2 talks for NHS autism, learning disabilities and mental health services in Keighley and Bradford. 🏥
- 4 online Q&A sessions throughout October on various aspects of neurodiversity and mental health. 💻

📚 From student project to academy

Eighteen months ago, this work became a full-time, self-employed venture. Half of the work has been with university students with neurodiversity and mental health needs, and “Linn Ramsay Academy” began as a way to explain complex concepts about ADHD, autism, behaviour and mental health by writing guides and sharing them with students.

As the work grew, the function of the group changed several times, expanding from student support into an organisation helping neurodivergent children, adults, families, professionals and services in Leeds, across Yorkshire, the UK and worldwide with both mental health and neurodiversity. 🌐

✨ New name

Most of the work now takes place in Yorkshire and goes far beyond student support, so the name is changing to reflect that. The project is now called Yorkshire Academy for Neurodiversity and Mental Health, better reflecting the focus on ADHD, autism, related conditions and mental health in everyday life.

🧰 What we do

- Share clear, practical information on ADHD, autism, related conditions and mental health. 📖
- Help people understand behaviour and distress through a mental health and neurodiversity lens. 🔍
- Turn complex ideas into usable tools for real situations, from community groups to resources used by services, so people have somewhere to turn for both mental health and neurodiversity support. 🛠️

☕ From 2026

- Continue to publish self-help guides, exploring downloadable PDFs and other options for people who are not on social media, covering both neurodiversity and mental health. 📄
- Joe will continue the weekly neurodiversity support group. 🗓️
- Introduce a new mental health drop-in, led by Shelby, our new mental health coach, alongside the group. 💬
- Joe is writing a neurodiversity-informed crisis package, building on an NHS England–commissioned research project, to help services respond better when people are in crisis, especially for those who are both neurodivergent and struggling with their mental health. 🚑

🌟 With thanks

Huge thanks to everyone who has helped make this possible in 2025 – whether through space, skills, or support:

- Cheryl, Brian and Antonia at BCA
- Laura at Craftea
- Louise, RMN/family therapist
- Micah
- Ashleigh
- Sally
- Teresa
- Sophie

🌈 Why this exists

There is a large gap in meaningful, accessible information and support for neurodivergent people in the UK and worldwide, and an equally large gap for people whose mental health needs do not fit neatly into existing services. Yorkshire Academy for Neurodiversity and Mental Health exists to help fill that gap by teaching how behaviour, mental health and neurodiversity interact, making information clear and usable, and creating spaces where people do not have to mask who they are – whether that is in weekly groups in Leeds or through resources accessed online. 💜

💫 Thank you and looking ahead

Thank you so much to everyone who has read, liked, shared, turned up in person, offered space, or a listening ear, and to everyone who has trusted us with their stories this year. This community is the reason Yorkshire Academy for Neurodiversity and Mental Health exists and keeps growing.

Wishing you a gentle, hopeful and prosperous 2026 – may it bring more accessibility, more understanding and more spaces where neurodivergent people and those struggling with their mental health can be fully themselves. 💜🌈

Yorkshire Academy for Neurodiversity and Mental Health

21/12/2025

🎄 If Christmas Feels Hard 🎄
Christmas can bring pressure, family stress, loneliness, grief or big emotions. If you’re struggling, please be kind to yourself — you’re dealing with a lot. 🤍

Here are some ways to cope over the Christmas period:

✨ Take time out when things feel overwhelming (even 5 minutes helps).
✨ Create a “safe” space or activity you can escape to.
✨ Stick to basics: make sure that you are getting enough sleep, food, water and fresh air.
✨ Limit time with people who drain your energy (even if it is just stepping out of the room for a few minutes to take some deep breaths and ground yourself).
✨ Set boundaries — it’s okay to say no.
✨ Journal, draw, or listen to music to release emotions.
✨ Move your body gently — a walk, stretching, dancing in your room or in a quiet space.
✨ Focus on one day at a time, not the whole Christmas period.
✨ Reach out to someone you trust, even if you don’t know what to say.

You deserve care and support — especially at this time of year.
If you’re a young person finding Christmas difficult, I offer a safe, non-judgemental space to talk things through and learn coping tools that actually help.

You can message me on WhatsApp/text on 07927684389, email on shelbysmithwellbeing@gmail.com or take a look at my website on shelbysmithwellbeing.co.uk to find out more or to book a session. You don’t have to cope alone.
Like many other services, my services will be closed/unavailable during Christmas day (Thursday 25th December) and Boxing day (Friday 26th December), so please take a look at the helplines below if you need support during these Days.

If you’re feeling unsafe, overwhelmed, or having thoughts of harming yourself, please reach out for immediate support:

📞 Samaritans – 24/7
Call 116 123

💬 Shout – 24/7 text support
Text SHOUT to 85258

📞 PAPYRUS HOPELINE247 (under 35s) – 24/7
Call 0800 068 4141
Text 07860 039967

📞 Childline (under 19s) – 24/7
Call 0800 1111

🏥 NHS 111 – for urgent mental health help
Call 111

🚑 Emergency services
Call 999 or go to A&E if you’re in immediate danger.

Support is available — and you matter!

Discover Shelby Smith Wellbeing Service, where we support youth aged 11 to 30 in their emotional and mental wellbeing.