Embracing the Beauty of the Wait
Kieran Murphy | 20th December 2024
With Christmas just days away, the season of Advent is drawing to a close—but there’s still time to pause and soak in the beauty of this sacred period. It’s not just about rushing towards the big day; it’s about savouring the journey and reflecting on the deeper joys that Advent holds.Rediscovering the Purpose of AdventAt its heart, Advent is about
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Sleep and Success: Why Catching Zzz’s Matters
Guest Contributor | 12th December 2024
Why Sleep is Super Important for You?Did you know that sleep is like a magic power for your body and brain? It helps you stay healthy, happy, and full of energy! Sleep is one of the most essential parts of living a healthy and balanced life, yet it’s often overlooked. Just like eating nutritious food and staying active, sleep is crucial for your bo
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Christmas Unwrapped
James Gore | 6th December 2024
At Phase, we’re incredibly blessed to be able to deliver Christmas Unwrapped workshops to hundreds of year 6 students around Hitchin. Now, despite what the name may suggest, no wrapping paper is harmed in the making of these workshops. Instead, we unwrap the Christmas story, figuratively speaking. As a team, we begin the workshop by sharing ou
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Project Hope 2024
Kieran Murphy | 30th November 2024
Fuel the Future – Empowering Our Teenagers This DecemberDecember is here, and with it comes an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people across our community. Project Hope, our annual matched giving campaign, is back – and this year, our focus is on building something incredible for our teenagers. Every pound don
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Rewiring Your Brain: The Power of Neuroplasticity
Molly Rackham | 22nd November 2024
Did you know your brain is constantly changing? Every time you learn something new, practice a skill, or even think in a different way, your brain reshapes itself. This incredible ability is called neuroplasticity, and it’s the reason we’re always capable of growth and change, no matter our age. Yep, that squishy, wrinkly thing in your head i
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Detached
James Gore | 15th November 2024
What is ‘Detached’?Detached is one of my favourite programmes we deliver at Phase! Every week we do Detached work during lunch break in various schools around Hitchin.The aim of Detached is to connect with young people outside the classroom, to have fun and to be a positive presence on the playground. Each Monday, we help out at the quiet area
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The science behind Inside Out 2
James Gore | 8th November 2024
If you’re looking for a film to watch this weekend, look no further than Inside Out 2. (If you haven’t seen the original Inside Out yet, start there). The Inside Out films are fun and genuinely entertaining for viewers of all ages but also informative and relatable. Inside Out tells the story of main character Riley’s life as an elementary sch
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An attitude of gratitude
Guest Contributor | 1st November 2024
What do you have to be grateful for? Seems like an odd question, right? But science has shown that practicing gratitude regularly has several well-being benefits. Whether you practice gratitude when you need a quick pick-me-up, when you can’t get yourself motivated, or when you just want to take stock of what you are grateful for, practicing gratit
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Adventure Awaits
Molly Rackham | 25th October 2024
With the school holidays coming up, it's the perfect time to try something new, get outside, and enjoy a little adventure. Earlier this year, I was up in Scotland, soaking in the views and beautiful cities, when I stumbled across geocaching. I remember having fond memories of geocaching from my girl guide days. Basically, it’s like a real-life trea
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Beat the Winter Blues
Kieran Murphy | 15th October 2024
How Young People Can Stay Mentally Strong as Seasons ChangeAs the air turns crisp and the days grow shorter, many of us start to feel a bit out of sorts. For young people, these changes can have a bigger impact than just needing a warmer coat. Seasonal shifts can affect their mental health in surprising ways—sometimes sparking anxiety, low mood, or
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"Just Breathe"
Molly Rackham | 4th October 2024
We’ve all heard it: “Just breathe.” It sounds simple, maybe too simple but there's actually solid science behind why breathing exercises are so effective at calming the nervous system. Whether it’s before a big presentation, during a moment of overwhelm, or in the midst of a panic attack, focused breathing can bring us back to a place of calm.But w
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#controlyourscroll
James Gore | 19th September 2024
Welcome back to the Phase blog! In August, we discussed the UN’s 'International Youth Day'. This week, Thursday 19th September was stem4’s 'Youth Mental Health Day'. Both events shared a focus on the impacts of technology on young people. While last month’s theme celebrated the potential positive impact of technology on global sustainability, this
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International Youth Day 2024
James Gore | 12th August 2024
Earlier this week (on Monday to be precise), the UN celebrated International Youth Day 2024. Since 2000, the UN has marked the 12th of August as a day for youth organisations and members of the UN Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development to select a theme and, hopefully, motivate young people across the globe to plan activities that highlight the
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A Path to Positivity: A Review of 'The S.U.M.O. Secrets to Being a Positive, Confident Teenager'
Molly Rackham | 2nd August 2024
We're excited to share a fresh perspective on the book 'The S.U.M.O. Secrets to Being a Positive, Confident Teenager.' This review comes from Isabelle, a sixth former who recently joined us at Phase for a week of work experience. Isabelle's insights offer a unique and authentic view on the book's relevance and impact. We are keen to ensure we are r
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It's Olympics time!
James Gore | 26th July 2024
Happy Friday everyone! As many of you will know, today is extra special as the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics takes place tonight! Fun fact - this evening’s opening ceremony will be the first to happen outside of a stadium with athletes parading in boats along the Seine. Hundreds of thousands of spectators are expected to line the streets o
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