Today, HRH visited Swansea area located in Wales. Three of all four engagements had a common theme - anti-bullying. The Countess started her day with a visit to Hafod Primary School, situated 1.5 miles from the City centre.
Hafod Primary School has been held up as an example of best practice for the way in which it addresses the problem of bullying. Schoolchildren made a 10 minute "What is bullying" movie in which they talked about the types of bullying.
At Hafod School there are specialist sessions in which pupils can unburden any worries they may have and there is a box which they can drop in notes containing their thoughts.
Headteacher Rachel Webb said: "We have a magic room, which is a counselling room, a safe room. We have weekly sessions. We also run personal social education classes as part of a Barnardo's scheme. And we are taking part in a NSPCC roadshow." More info in this article.
NSPCC roadshow, launched at Hafod School and prepared in collaboration with Swansea Sound and The Wave (visted by HRH later today), is an Anti Bullying Campaign called 'Hear my Voice'. This campaign is highlighting the various forms of bullying and signposts children and adults to various support agencies. Local schools are being visited to raise awareness of the issue and encourage children to speak out.
The school shared lovely images from the visit and some tweets that gave me a better idea about the visit itself; from Hafod Twitter feed: "Sophie the Countess of Wessex came to see us today .... She was beautiful and amazing with the children. The Countess of Wessex said that Hafod would remain in her heart ! Lovely ! Our Royal Visit was fantastic ... The children were amazing .... The Countess was gorgeous".
More info from the school's Twitter feed: HRH talked to the children in one of the workshops delivered by the fantastic Childline team - another Patronage of HRH. She has met Gareth - mad scientist outside school's science lab.
via Hafod Primary School Twitter feed. Childline workshop. HRH getting to know about Welsh Tales.
HRH was very interested in Welsh tales and legends stairwell. She loved the children at work on their iPads in school's Leonardo Da Vinci Libraries. The Countess asked Philosophical questions in their Philosophy room, talked to some of amazing parents in the Community room. The Countess was amazed at the children's digital art work.
via Hafod Primary School Twitter feed. Childline workshop. Leonardo Da Vinci Libraries.
"Our children were thrilled ..... The Countess was so natural with them. She didn't want to leave ... The children sang beautifully as she went in her way. There was a tear in her eye as the whole school sang "the World in Union".
Later HRH visited the NSPCC offices in Swansea - the Swansea Service Centre, which has been delivering services in Swansea for more than 15 years. During visit HRH has met Service Centre staff, fundraisers and service users.
courtesy of NSPCC Cymru Wales; photo by Grant Hyatt. Click on pic to be redirected and view few more images of the visit.
According to the article at Swansea Sound website, "The NSPCC centre, based on Prince of Wales Road, is a former church that has been renovated to house the charity." Quite recently, staff from Wyevale Garden Centre gave the NSPCC’s Swansea’s Service Centre a garden makeover, as part of their ‘Gardens for Good’ initiative.
Karen Burrows, NSPCC manager said: “Our outside space has been in dire need of some TLC for a long time now and Wyevale really have come to our rescue. We’ve had a wonderful two days – the weather has been incredible and all the Wyevale volunteers have been so helpful and enthusiastic. It’s been a pleasure to have them around." For full article click here.
HRH is a President of NSPCC - leading children's charity fighting to end child abuse in the UK and Channel Islands. To read about HRH's Presidency click here.
Next step, visit to Ysbryd y Coed at Cefn Coed Hospital in Swansea, a residential care centre for 60 patients with advanced Alzheimer’s. The unit is designed using all research available to ensure that elderly people with dementia, who have complex needs and challenging behaviour, are cared for using all the nursing and technical support expected in a modern hospital. The local artist Alison Moger was commissioned to produce work for the ward. To view it, click here. Sadly I wasn't able to get in touch with the offices to share more info, or some images of the visit.
Final visit took place at sister radio stations: Swansea Sound and The Wave who have worked extensively with NSPCC on their anti-bullying campaign 'Hear My Voice'. From the radio website: "To mark the 40th anniversary of Swansea Sound, Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex visited our studios in Gorseinon, to mark the occasion".
"She was given a tour of the studios to meet our presenters and also to hear about the stations' history - Swansea Sound being the UK's first commercial radio, station, which started broadcasting on September 30, 1974".
The Countess has also given an exclusive interview with Claire Pearson in which HRH shared her thoughts on today's visits and Hear My Voice Campaign. It's a wonderful interview, Sophie is such a fabulous speaker, you can hear it by clicking here or here. You will also read there more about today's visit and view some great images.
During her visit, Sophie met 9 year old Alan Gifford, a boy who was born with a complex heart condition. At the age of 3 Alan had an open heart surgery but while in hospital caught an infection which resulted in having to have both of his hands amputated. Now, his mum is trying to raise the £60,000 needed to buy Alan two functional bionic hands, which will allow him to do the things he has never been able to do before. If you would like to help Alan, you can do it by donating here.
The Countess was given an orange band by Alan, cost of band is Ł2 and all proceeds will go to Alan's appeal, which will help in making this brave boy's dream come true. I already tried to get in touch with Alan's mum, in order to learn how you can order the band. Will update the info in due time.
At the end of the visit, HRH has unveiled a commemorative plaque and signed the guest book. The visit must have been wonderful, as it reminded The Countess about her early days, when she worked in the press and promotions department for Capital Radio.
Outfit & jewellery: Prada wool jacket with gold buttons. Prada short dress with gold buttons. Lovely Dolce & Gabbana Mini 'Escape' Shopper. Earrings by Amrapali Jewels, those are not at the website. Pumps by LK Bennett Harley in black suede.
Visit to Hafod Primary School, NSPCC Swansea Service Centre, Ysbryd y Coed & Swansea Sound and The Wave
Rating: 4.5
Diposkan Oleh: sho fia
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