Helping Hand | Welcome to Mini Me Yoga!

“A problem shared is a problem halved” so the saying goes. We all know that when it comes to worries, we usually feel so much better after talking to someone we trust. However, when we are feeling worried, we can often forget that there are people around us who can help. This is where a Helping Hand might be useful.

How to do it:

Place your hand on a piece of paper and draw around your thumb and each of your fingers. If you find this tricky, ask an adult or a friend to draw around your hand for you. If you want to get creative, you can make a handprint from paint and wait for it to dry. Or for older children and adults, simply look at your own hand and try to remember who each of your fingers represent.

Starting with your thumb and moving to your little finger, name 5 people who you would talk to if you had a worry. Try to be as specific as you can, and make sure you name people who you can trust. It could be a parent, family member, teacher, or mentor; if you just want someone to listen to you, it could even be a beloved pet, or perhaps your favourite soft toy. For older children, you might want to name professionals, or maybe helplines. For adults, you might name neighbours, or support groups.

If you drew around your hand, you can decorate your handprint with pictures, stickers, or colours for each of the people in your life. You might even want to pin it up somewhere to remind you of all the people you can talk to if you have a worry.

Things to remember!

For children, remember that if you are feeling very worried about something or if you feel unsafe, it is always important to tell a teacher or parent.

For adults, be mindful that sometimes people might be busy or they might have a lot going on themselves, so if someone isn’t free or emotionally available for you, try to respect that and speak to someone else instead. By having 5 named people, you can expand your support network and not be reliant on just one other person. If you really can’t think of 5 people, just name one helpline on your hand (e.g. Samaritans: 116 123).

The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone.

About Fiona Roberts

Fiona has worked with children and families for over 15 years, in various education and support roles. Fiona has a background in Psychology, Early Years Professional Status and a Certificate in Parent-Child Therapy. Fiona works therapeutically with children and parents, promoting healthy attachments and communication within family relationships, as well as supporting families to manage challenging situations through tailored strategies and guidance.

Find Fiona Roberts on Facebook: Mini Me Yoga West London