Break the Cycle

 During lockdown, children became very isolated and insular. Their usual social interaction with peers was no longer an option. Children and young people spent a lot of time inside and were unable to enjoy the company of others. A lot of time was spent online and interacting remotely with their friends. The importance of connections is key. 

Sarah from Break the Cycle can, with Albert's presence, help to support children in their school and the wider community to feel empowered and supported to navigate their thoughts and feelings and provide them with a safe space to discuss issues that are important to them, whilst having fun. Working with Albert and listening to his stories, Sarah will consider with the children ‘what would Albert do?’ and read the Albert books together to see if they would have done the same as Albert. They will consider what the consequences could or would have been if they did something different. Sarah and Albert value diversity and want to ensure that every child has the opportunity to share their ideas, without fear of ridicule. Sarah and Albert ensure that no child is ever ‘in trouble’ and their ideas are always considered and discussed. 

Sarah has partnered with Albert to promote healthy relationships with friends, family and others so that children’s well-being can be positive, and it offers a strong protective factor against poor mental health. Albert and Sarah want students to feel that they belong and are valued within their school community. Albert and Sarah help the students to understand the importance of trust and mutual respect and model positive relationships with adults. Albert and Sarah want to support children with their friendships and to help them navigate feeling happy and secure. Albert and Sarah know that healthy relationships are positive and welcoming towards each other and don’t make others feel left out or lonely. 

Workshops can be created specifically for your school setting. Albert works as a conduit between the children, school, family and the wider community.

Workshops can take place weekly/termly or as part of enrichment days. 

This can be discussed with Break the Cycle to ensure the programmes are best suited to the school. 

Bespoke programmes can be created for your school and your needs. 

Sizes of the groups can vary, ranging from a whole class to small nurture groups targeting specific year groups, depending on the requirements of the school. 

Workshop focus - scenarios created either from the Albert Mouse books or chosen freely by the schools, encompassing the following:

• Consequences - Why do we do things, and what are the consequences of our actions?
• Thoughts & Feelings - Why do we feel a certain way and why do our thoughts lead us to certain actions?
• Being Kind - What does it mean to be kind? Kind words, kind actions - celebrate 'random acts of kindness'. The creation of Kindness Calendars.
• Resilience - How do we become resilient? Scenarios considered, utilising Albert’s books to share thoughts as to how children create inner resilience. 

Albert and Sarah work in small groups to discuss 'thoughts and feelings', utilising the Albert Mouse books to discover what Albert would do and share the thoughts that children have in some very difficult and challenging times. 

Children often find it difficult to articulate their thoughts and feelings and become frustrated when their views are not considered. 

Albert offers a 'worry pocket' where children who are reluctant to talk to him can write him a note and slip it into his satchel for Albert to read later. 

We can also supply an 'Albert Mailbox' that can be located somewhere in the school that will allow children to write a letter to Albert. These letters are then handled by a qualified person within the school. However, the school may choose to make Albert aware of the issue so he can talk with that child during his next visit. 

Albert brings a unique friendship to the classroom where no one gets into trouble.

Break The Cycle charge a day rate (which is available on request), but these are flexible based on the needs of the school. 

Break The Cycle Company Number 14265959

If you would like to talk to Sarah and find out how Albert could help your school, then please email Sarah using the link below.