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Four children in white t-shirt uniforms are smiling and running

Transforming children and young people’s futures through PE, school sport, and physical activity

Sarah MacQuarrieAlexandra Hennessey author headshot By and Filed Under: All posts, Education, Health and Care, Health and Social Care Posted:

Today’s children and young people encounter multifaceted challenges, including mental health concerns, reduced physical activity, and persistent inequities in access to sports. As the post-pandemic landscape reshapes our society, physical education (PE), school sports, and physical activity (PESSPA) emerge as critical tools in fostering healthier, happier, and more resilient children and young people. In this […]

Several women practicing football on a grass field

Creating SPACES for young people’s wellbeing

Stephanie RaySamuel Hugh-Jones By , and Filed Under: Education, Health and Care, Health and Social Care Posted:

Adolescent wellbeing is a predictor of school attainment, adult mental health, relationships, and socioeconomic outcomes. However, the wellbeing of young people in the UK has significantly decreased in the last two decades. Current research into creative health has found increasingly positive links between supporting participation in arts, culture, entertainment,and sports (SPACES) and young people’s wellbeing. […]

An older woman participates in an arts group activity, painting a picture of a lighthouse

Joining the dots: assessing the roll out of social prescribing link workers in primary care

Paul Wilson headshot By Filed Under: Health and Care, Health and Social Care Posted:

Social prescribing is the referral of patients to non-clinical treatments – often for mental health needs and long-term health conditions. In 2019, the NHS Long Term Plan embedded the role of link workers to coordinate and refer patients from Primary Care Networks. But are the right areas getting the support they need – and how […]

Why do teachers need to think about student experiences of loneliness?

By , and Filed Under: Education, Health and Care, Health and Social Care Posted:

Globally, many governments have set an objective to reduce loneliness, including among adolescents. So far, however, the focus has been on individuals, and is most often out of school time. In this article, Professor Pamela Qualter, Dr Rebecca Jefferson, and Dr Lily Verity discuss their work in the UK, and internationally, and argue whole school […]

Child of the North: Child mental wellbeing

By , , , and Filed Under: Education, Health and Care, Health and Social Care Posted:

Children’s mental health and wellbeing was deteriorating prior to COVID-19, but there was significant decline during the pandemic, particularly in the North of England. This blog post covers the collaboration between Professor Pamela Qualter, Professor Matt Sutton, Stephanie Gillibrand, Professor Neil Humphrey and Dr Ola Demkowicz in their study of children’s mental health, originally published […]

An elderly woman sits on a bench near a large pond, on her own.

What we need to know next about loneliness

By Filed Under: Growth and Inclusion, Health and Care, Urban Posted:

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the UK’s mental health, particularly loneliness. Data from spring 2021 found a million more adults were feeling lonely “often” or “always” compared to spring 2020. Now, a recent evidence review for DCMS, led by Professor Pamela Qualter, has set out what we know – and don’t […]

Older man speaking on a mobile phone

Only a call away: Reducing loneliness and social isolation in older people

Lis Boulton By Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures, Growth and Inclusion, Health and Social Care Posted:

For many older people, the COVID-19 pandemic increased levels of loneliness and isolation. They were unable to visit friends and family, and access in-person support. Low levels of digital literacy among older people also prevented them from making the most of online support services. Here, Dr Lis Boulton assesses the effects that the pandemic had […]

How to support refugees’ and asylum seekers’ health and wellbeing

By Filed Under: All posts, Growth and Inclusion, Health and Care, Health and Social Care, Urban Posted:

Spending time in an allotment was permitted as a form of exercise throughout the COVID-19 lockdown, and as it eases, provides a physically distanced way of socialising. In this blog, researcher Jo Biglin outlines the vital role these spaces play in the mental and physical wellbeing of asylum seekers and refugees, and suggests policies to […]

The voluntary and community sector and COVID-19: Going to war without ammunition?

Tine BuffelPatty Doran author headshotCamilla Lewis By , , , , and Filed Under: Growth and Inclusion Posted:

COVID-19 has forced us all to rethink how to maintain social connections in the neighbourhoods where we live and work. For the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE), this has meant a rapid rethink in how to provide services whilst observing social distancing guidelines. In this blog, Sophie Yarker and Kirsty Bagnall, along with Tine Buffel, Patty […]

Locked down by inequality: Why place matters for older people during COVID-19

Camilla LewisTine BuffelPatty Doran author headshot By , , , and Filed Under: Health and Care, Health and Social Care Posted:

Older people have borne the brunt of deaths from COVID-19, whether in hospital or in care homes. At the same time, the coronavirus emergency sits alongside a crisis in many of the communities in which older people live. In this blog, Chris Phillipson, Camilla Lewis, Tine Buffel, Patty Doran and Sophie Yarker examine how the […]

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