Wellbeing Ambassadors in Primary Schools

A primary school wellbeing ambassador is a student who voluntarily takes on the extra responsibility of positively supporting the emotional and mental wellbeing of their peers, promoting a supportive and inclusive environment within their school. They play an active and key role in identifying issues related to student wellbeing and help organise initiatives to promote positive mental health.

Due to their age and maturity, the most likely candidates for becoming wellbeing ambassadors in primary schools are Key Stage 2 students. The role involves these ambassadors showing empathy, communication skills and enthusiasm for promoting kindness and inclusivity. 

Acting as role models, they help to bridge the gap between students and teachers when it comes to mental health issues. The role of a wellbeing ambassador gives students the opportunity to develop leadership skills while offering meaningful support to students going through adversity and improving the whole school culture.

The Importance of Wellbeing Ambassadors in Schools

Now more than ever, the wellbeing of students in primary schools is essential. According to a 2024 survey by The Children’s Society, a whopping 11% of children and young people reported low wellbeing, scoring well below the usual life satisfaction as reported by respondents in previous decades. This highlights the growing and essential need for schools to proactively address student wellbeing.

With an ever-increasing awareness of mental health issues amongst young people, many schools are now taking a proactive approach to ensure that students have the emotional support they need. 

Wellbeing ambassadors play a crucial role in this whole school approach.

By having students actively involved in promoting wellbeing and its awareness, schools will be able to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone at their school. Wellbeing ambassadors help create spaces where students finally feel comfortable to discuss any negative feelings or problems and seek support. As ambassadors are the same age and often come into contact with the same feelings as their peers, they can also provide insights to staff into how their peers are feeling, which may not always be plain to see.

Additionally, wellbeing ambassadors contribute to developing and improving the overall school culture by encouraging empathy, kindness and resilience, as well as other positive mindsets and attitudes.

Starting a Wellbeing Ambassador Programme

Implementing a wellbeing ambassador programme in primary schools can be a highly effective way to promote mental health awareness through the form of peer support. Some key steps you can take are as follows:

1. Finding the Right Candidates: The first and perhaps the most important step is identifying mature and able students who are genuinely interested in becoming wellbeing ambassadors. Schools can highlight the benefits and responsibilities of the role and invite students to apply. Teachers may also suggest specific students within their classes or wider activities whom they feel are well-suited for the role.
2. Ambassador Support and Provision: It’s highly important that the new wellbeing ambassadors are given access to and are aware of the skills and resources they need to fulfil their role. This can include inviting them to participate in staff-led workshops focused on active listening, conflict resolution, mindfulness and understanding the bigger picture of mental health. The school’s safeguarding lead and/or SENCO should be involved to ensure that ambassadors are sufficiently trained and supported.
3. Support from Staff: A range of school staff should be able and available to provide ongoing support to wellbeing ambassadors, both during training and after taking on the role. Regular meetings between student ambassadors and school staff can ensure that the ambassadors feel empowered and sufficiently able in their roles. They can also receive guidance when addressing more challenging situations. The supporting adults should also be present for ambassador-led activities and programmes where appropriate.

By establishing clear structures and ensuring the ambassadors have access and knowledge of the necessary resources, schools can create a successful wellbeing ambassador programme that benefits not just the entire school community, but also in students’ homes and in their future lives. Students who engage with the programme, either as ambassadors themselves or as students coming for help, will be equipped with the tools, know-how and experience to resolve their problems.

Wellbeing Ambassador Activities

Wellbeing ambassadors can engage in various activities to promote mental health and wellbeing among their peer groups in their schools. The following are three effective activities that ambassadors can lead:

1. Organising Peer Support Groups

Peer support groups provide a safe and supportive space for students to talk about their feelings and experiences with fellow students of similar ages. Wellbeing ambassadors can facilitate these groups with the active support of a member of staff. Students are given the freedom to discuss topics such as overall wellbeing (both in school, at home and in extra-curricular activities and groups), friendships or dealing with change. These sessions can be informal and scheduled regularly, such as during lunchtime or after school. 

Furthermore, peer support groups help foster a sense of community within the school community by encouraging students to support one another. This not only benefits the participants but also enhances the ambassadors’ leadership skills.

2. Hosting Wellbeing Breaks

Another effective activity is hosting “wellbeing breaks” during the school day. Wellbeing breaks provide students the opportunity to relax, de-stress and recharge in a structured and guided way, separate from the usual breaks always found in schools. Schools can decide when best to organise these short and structured breaks during the day. Again, it is highly recommended that a member of staff accompanies the ambassadors when hosting the breaks. Activities might include, for example, guided mindfulness exercises, light physical activities such as yoga or creative arts such as drawing and journaling.

Wellbeing breaks allow students to step away from the academic pressures of the day and focus on selfcare, helping students to contribute to the development of a calmer and more positive classroom environment upon returning to class.

3. Creating a Wellbeing Bulletin Board

The creation and displaying of a wellbeing bulletin board is a simple yet highly impactful way to promote awareness of the scheme throughout the school. Wellbeing ambassadors can take responsibility for designing and maintaining a board that features positive messages, tips for mental wellbeing and information on upcoming wellbeing events.

The board can include topics such as kindness, gratitude and mindfulness, with rotating themes throughout the year to keep it engaging for all students. Wellbeing ambassadors can also encourage other students to contribute to the board. This visible reminder of mental health and wellbeing can create discussion in the school about such topics, encouraging students to regularly reflect on their own emotional and mental health in a positive manner, as well as that of their peers.

Wellbeing Programmes for Primary Schools

Alongside implementing a wellbeing ambassador programme, schools can explore comprehensive wellbeing programmes like those offered by Muse Wellbeing, which integrate mental health education into the primary school’s core curriculum. 

Muse Wellbeing provides structured lesson plans designed to teach students vital social and emotional skills, ensuring that mental health becomes a core focus in the school environment. These programmes also include teacher training and resources, empowering staff to effectively support students as both ambassadors and recipients of wellbeing advice.