In recent years, the wellbeing of children and young people has taken on an unprecedented importance in our society. At The British School of Barcelona, accredited with the Wellbeing Award for Schools (WAS), wellbeing and mental health are prioritised.

That is why, on Friday 27 September, BSB students and staff joined over ninety thousand students and eighteen thousand teachers from Cognita‘s one hundred and eight schools around the world to celebrate Global Be Well Day (GBWD), an annual day dedicated to wellbeing.

Now celebrating its sixth year, GBWD focuses on ‘Giving’, highlighting the importance of generosity as a way to enhance personal fulfilment and the fulfilment of others. BSB joined the day with a series of activities designed to reflect on the power of giving and how small acts of generosity can inspire positive change in our community.

‘Generosity creates an atmosphere of empathy and solidarity that strengthens relationships in our community. By giving, we contribute to the well-being of others, while feeling more connected to society and fulfilled in our personal lives,’ explains Carol Coleman, Director of Student Support at BSB. ‘Through programmes and activities that promote social responsibility, generosity and collaboration, we teach students to understand the positive impact they can have by helping those around them and prepare them to be engaged global citizens. Most importantly, events like Global Be Well Day remind us that there is a vital link between education and the wellbeing of our young people’.

Activities for Global Be Well Day included a large charity collection to support the Red Cross and Caritas Sitges, as well as activities around the Global Be Well Impact Hour, an hour in which students and teachers practised generosity through simple acts such as writing heartfelt compliments to their peers, reading to younger children, sharing knowledge and skills with other age groups, doing community service, reflecting together on friendship, or meditating and practising relaxation techniques together as a group.

Six Contributors to Physical and Emotional Wellness
Cognita has identified six key factors that have a significant impact on young people’s physical, emotional and social wellbeing. These are set out in the Cognita Be Well Charter:

  1. Regular physical activity: Staying active helps to reduce stress and improve mood.
  2. A balanced diet: A nutritious and healthy diet is essential for overall development and wellbeing, as well as for an energetic and focused school day.
  3. Adequate sleep: Getting enough age-appropriate sleep and following a regular sleep schedule supports academic performance and mental health.
  4. Social connections: Interacting with friends and family builds a sense of belonging. At school, teamwork and mutual support strengthen social relationships and empathy among students.
  5. Meaningful activities: Participating in activities that have a personal purpose builds self-esteem, provides satisfaction and gives young people a sense of fulfilment.
  6. Generosity: Helping others not only benefits the recipient, but also enriches the life of the giver.