Our favourite bits from John Dabell's review! 

" Choose to Cope is a brilliant programme for encouraging children to talk about their feelings and deal with the emotional and physical effects of anxiety."

"Choose to Cope uses empowering enhancement through interactive teaching methods"

"There is also a course notes book which includes information about what to do in each session.  It's all here, and diligently created too."

"This would be ideal as a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing.  What our children really need to learn is all here; it is thoughtful and informed and puts them in control."

Thank-You John Dabell

With our programmes in over 1800 schools it would take forever (well it would feel like it anyway!) to recite them all here.  So we have chosen a few immediate favourites!

"Teachers have reported that children are more resilient in the classroom and less worried about making mistakes. They are prepared to ‘have a go’ and challenge themselves well. Parents have also reported that they have seen a positive change in the attitude of their children at home. It is perfect for the needs of the children.

Ref: HTBM2018405

"The children are able to make new friendships and are more confident to put their hand up in class. A child in my class always stayed close to one friend, and would be lost if her friend was not in. After this programme she has grown in confidence and has become friends with more children in the class she no longer relies on the one friend. I have received positive feedback from the teachers after children in their class have completed the course. The programme meets the need of the school very well."

Ref: HTBM2018146

"The children are more confident and happy in school following the programme. We had one child who had recently gone into foster care and wouldn’t speak to anyone. After the programme not only has she made new friends within the group she also started talking to adults as she was more confident. She now speaks to me on a regular basis. Being a very large primary school with children having various needs it is needed to run regularly in my school."

Ref:HTBM2018546

"The children’s ability to join in & share increases. They seem happier and more relaxed. The first group I did this with included a boy who was relatively new to the school. He was very angry & struggled to find his place among his peers. The relaxation sessions from the group really helped him & when he found himself getting angry he was then able to remove himself from that situation & take himself off to calm down, returning then when ready. A real success. Even though we are only a small school of 26 people, we are very nurture orientated and this still has a place in bringing together smaller groups of children & helping them interact better."

Ref: HTBM201860

"One boy found the strategy of imagining and drawing his own happy place such a useful tool that he now has one at his table in school which we have laminated so that whenever he feels anxious he can use it to calm himself. He also has one at home. It helps to deal with the children who have anxieties in a group rather that one to one sessions. Some children are more comfortable with this and it helps them to realise that other children can share the same worries and stresses."

Ref: C2C201822

"I have run the course 8 times in my school. The children have shown improved ability to talk about their feelings. One child commented that they now felt more important in class as a result of completing the course. We wish every child in our school could go through the course. It meets the needs of the school very well."

Ref: HTBM2018717

"My daughter was one of the children on the programme with the other nurture TA in our school and when she is having a day of worry she gets out her passport and chooses one of the planets to help her cope with her worries. She is also scared of the dentist and has used her happy place picture to calm her down. So I have seen it work from a TA point of view and from a parents point of view. It works really well in our school, there a quite a few children that need the programme."

Ref: C2C201859

"The programme has given confidence to some children just by meeting each week and someone to talk to about the changes happening in their lives and how best to deal with them.  I also love to see the way the children in year 6 have a right to be children and let their feeling show. I have had some really angry, misunderstood children use the programme and literally see them unwind and relax into our discussions." 

Ref: WB201808

"The children became more aware of their actions and the feelings of others. After playing the relaxation music one child was almost asleep – I later discovered he had problems settling off to sleep and gave his mum a copy of the CD which transformed their bedtime routine. Mum was so thankful as this impacted on his behaviour in a VERY positive way. The smile cards were a big hit and gave the children a boost when they saw the pleasure they gave people when they received them. It is invaluable in my school."

Ref: WB201883

"I have used the programme approximately 12 times. The children within the groups totally enjoyed the sessions, they grew in confidence and it helped to foster strong self esteem.  Friendships developed between the children. Children showed the beginnings of resilience, and how to regulate their feelings. I have delivered this programme to many children within our school. The way the programme has helped - with one child within the group. It really showed that he had a very caring nature, which had not been seen in school before, this was a real success of that child and we celebrated this. On occasions the focus of the sessions have brought forward problems, regarding friendship, bullying, and school has been able to support the child. This programme develops confidence and foster strong self-esteem, it gives time for children to develop skills in a friendly and fun way. It has helped children to name and manage their feelings and emotions - supporting them to become emotionally literate and able to regulate their behaviour. All of this is helping children to be confident, happy learners, enabling them to reach their full potential - whatever it may be. This programme really does run alongside our mission statement and core values within our school. Parents have also made comments on how their children have enjoyed the group work."

Ref: HTBM2018504



"It has become a valued part of our Nurture support that we are passionate about in our school. It has been met with positivity and enthusiasm by the children, teachers and parents alike."

Ref: HTBM2018250