Creating Community Connections Through St Matthew's Postcard Project

Children’s Mental Health Week is a vital time to focus on the well-being of young people. This year, St Matthew’s School is embracing the theme “This is My Place,” which highlights belonging, connection, and community. The school’s Postcard Project offers a unique way for children to express their feelings and share positive messages with the wider community. This blog explores how this project builds community ties and supports mental health in meaningful ways.

The Importance of Belonging and Connection in Mental Health

Feeling connected to others and having a sense of belonging are key factors in positive mental health. For children, school is often the first place they experience community outside their family. When children feel they belong, they are more likely to thrive emotionally and socially. The theme “This is My Place” encourages children to reflect on where they feel safe, valued, and connected.

St Matthew’s approach during Children’s Mental Health Week includes classroom discussions, stories, and activities that help children explore these ideas. This sets the stage for the Postcard Project, which takes the concept beyond the classroom and into the community.

How the Postcard Project Works

On Friday, February 15th, the whole school will dedicate time to the Postcard Project. Each child will create a postcard that features:

• A well-being message on one side

• A piece of original artwork on the other side

  
  

These postcards will be sent from St Matthew’s to members of the local community and beyond. The goal is to spread messages of kindness, support, and connection through simple but powerful creative expressions.

This project allows children to contribute to their community in a tangible way. It also helps them understand the impact of positive communication and creative expression on mental health.

Involving the Wider Community

St Matthew’s is inviting parents, carers, and local creatives to get involved. There are two main ways to support the project:

• Donating art or craft resources such as paints, brushes, paper, or other materials

• Leading or supporting short postcard art sessions for the children

  
  

Local shop Chirpy in Chapel Allerton is already contributing ideas from the Greeting Card Association, showing how community businesses can play a role in supporting mental health initiatives.

If you or someone you know would like to help, the school encourages reaching out to Miss Stansfield and Mrs Challinor via email at year2@stmatthewsleeds.co.uk. Volunteers make a huge difference in creating memorable and meaningful experiences for the children.

Benefits for Children and the Community

The Postcard Project offers several benefits:

• For children: It builds confidence, encourages creativity, and reinforces the importance of kindness and connection.

• For families: It provides an opportunity to engage with the school’s well-being efforts and support children’s emotional growth.

• For the community: Receiving postcards with positive messages can brighten someone’s day and strengthen community bonds.

  
  

By involving children in a project that reaches beyond the school walls, St Matthew’s helps foster a culture of care and mutual support.

Practical Tips for Supporting Well-Being Through Creative Projects

If you want to encourage well-being in your own community or family, consider these ideas inspired by the Postcard Project:

• Set aside time for creative activities that focus on positive messages or emotions.

• Use art as a way to start conversations about feelings and mental health.

• Connect with local groups or businesses to share resources and ideas.

• Encourage children to think about who they want to reach with their messages and why.

  
  

Creative projects like this can be simple but have a lasting impact on how children understand and express their emotions.

Final Thoughts on Building Stronger Communities

St Matthew’s Postcard Project shows how schools can play a central role in promoting mental health through community connection. By focusing on belonging and kindness, children learn valuable life skills while making a positive difference in their surroundings.

If you want to support this initiative or start something similar, consider donating materials or volunteering your time. Small acts of creativity and kindness can create ripples that reach far beyond the classroom.

Together, we can help children feel that they truly have a place where they belong and are valued.