WELLBEING INITIATIVE
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Empathy Week is an award-winning, global initiative which aims to cultivate empathy in young people and in turn improve their wellbeing.

Why empathy?
Empathy can be taught, learned and practised. As our world becomes more connected and globalised, navigating it becomes more complex. Empathy is the skill that underpins connection, trust, safety and hence wellbeing. We define it as the skill to understand another person and the ability to create space for someone to reveal their authentic self, whilst reserving judgement. If we can understand those around us, whether we agree with them or not, we have the ability to build better, more meaningful and fruitful relationships. That's the only way to truly positively change the world as well as our own personal and professional lives.

Research found that after taking part in Empathy Week activities students were:

  • more responsive to the feelings of others and displayed increased emotional empathy.
  • able to demonstrate signs of increased self-compassion and heightened self-esteem.
  • seen to display a greater desire to care for and connect with others.

Although called Empathy Week, the project runs over a longer time period with five distinct sessions. Each session uses a powerful (and excellently produced) film to introduce students to inspiring individuals, all living out their lives in very different ways. Alongside the films there are supporting resources and guided reflections to enable students to explore the themes further. We hope that pupils will find this project really engaging and enjoyable!

Wilson’s School

A boys’ grammar school in the London Borough of Sutton (UK), Wilson’s School is:

  • committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment
  • a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (no. 7536970). Registered office: Mollison Drive, Wallington, Surrey SM6 9JW
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