Coach can help kids be stress free

Ask a lot of parents and they will tell you that kids and the word“relax” don’t go together that often in the modern day.

Helena Kelman, 58, from Motherwell is a Relax Kids coach, and provides children with coping methods to help them unwind.

The mum-of-two was delighted last week when the work of the organisation was recognised in the Scottish Parliament in a motion lodged by Motherwell and Wishaw MSP Clare Adamson.

Helena previously worked for theDepartment of Social Security for 22 years, and then at Lanarkshire Carers Centre for 15 years before retraining in 2017 and setting up her own business.

She now also teaches mini-yoga and hypnotherapy techniques.

“I supported many unpaid adult carers but I wanted to help children to give them tools and coping strategies that they could use now and in the future,” said Helena.

For over two years now Helena has been providing her own Relax Kids sessions two days a week to pupils at Keir Hardie Memorial Primary in Newarthill.

“The head teacher truly believes in the positive impact it has on the children and the local community,” she added.

The sessions give children tools and strategies and helps them know how to go from high energy to relaxation in seven steps.

Helena continued: “Over the past three years I’ve delivered sessions to hundreds of children and families in schools, community groups, young carers, after school and summer clubs and also ran awareness sessions with teachers and assistants.

“The emotional mental health and well being of our children will require more input now more than ever as a result of Covid-19 and the impact of social isolation.”

Over five days last week Relax Kids held a free online family mental health and wellbeing summit which featured 35 different experts who gave talks providing tips, tricks and fun ideas for parents.

The impact Covid-19 has on the mental health of children was recognised at Holyrood after Helena got in touch with MSP Clare Adamson who lodged the motion commending the aims of the summit.

Helena said: “I’m feeling very proud to be part of an organisation who, in less than a week, pulled together some incredible speakers in the field of children’s mental health and wellbeing for an online summit.

“There were lots of amazingly useful tools and tips for parents, carers and teaching staff to support the mental health and wellbeing of children. And some helpful tips for adults as well.”

For more information on relaxation techniques for children you can visit Helena’s Relax Kids social media pages at: facebook. com/Relaxkidsmotherwell or twitter.com/ KidsMotherwell