The Premier League has today launched the Wellbeing Stars challenge, which encourages primary school-aged children across England and Wales to come up with and carry out five acts of kindness in a single week.
TV and radio presenter Lauren Layfield has set the challenge, which tasks five to 11-year-olds with creating a "Wellbeing Week" plan of activity that will help boost the mood of their family, or people they know in their school or community.
Wellbeing Stars is the latest initiative from the Premier League Primary Stars education programme, which uses children's passion for football to engage them in learning.
The programme is supported by 110 professional football clubs in their communities, as well as via free online resources.
"It's initiatives like this that can ease the return to school and build up children's wellbeing and focus on their strengths"
Teachers and families can download a free Wellbeing Stars resource pack, which includes a "Wellbeing Week" worksheet where children can write down each of their acts of kindness and reflect on how they have made others feel.
Teachers, parents and guardians are then encouraged to submit children's completed worksheets by Monday 19 April to Premier League Primary Stars.
Clinical psychologist Dr Hazel Harrison, who has assisted with the creation of the Premier League Wellbeing Stars activity, said: "All of us, but particularly children, need to connect – and re-connect – with our peers and wider community right now.
"Encouraging children to help others is a great way to do this. Forming meaningful connections with others makes us feel happier, braver and closer to one another.
"I'd encourage schools and families to get involved in Premier League Wellbeing Stars. It's initiatives like this that can ease the return to school and build up children's wellbeing and focus on their strengths.
"Not only that, but we know that young people who take part in social action projects feel a stronger sense of belonging to their communities.”
Wellbeing calendar
A selection of the weekly plans will be used to create a Premier League Wellbeing Stars calendar, which will be sent to participating schools and will also be made available for families to download.
Three children who take part will also be recognised for their efforts with the Premier League Trophy visiting their school.
Premier League Head of Community Nick Perchard said: “Social action has been an important part of the nation’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and is a key theme for all Premier League community activity.
"Premier League Wellbeing Stars will enable children to have a better understanding of how their acts of kindness can have a positive impact on others and will also give them the opportunity to learn from their peers’ projects.”
Children can also take inspiration from the acts of kindness of Premier League players who have helped their communities throughout the national lockdown.
Videos within the Wellbeing Stars resource will feature Tottenham Hotspur's Ben Davies, who has supported his elderly neighbour, as well as Brighton & Hove Albion's Neal Maupay, who has made sure he checks in with family, friends and neighbours.
More information on the Wellbeing Stars challenge can be found on the Premier League Primary Stars website.