Activ8tion

Did you know there is no one right way to support PE anxiety or low engagement with movement.
The approach has to match the young person.
For some pupils, PE can feel overwhelming because of how they feel about their body.

This includes pupils living with obesity.
This includes pupils experiencing disordered eating, including anorexia.
It can also be difficult for pupils with gross motor difficulties.
If movement feels hard, PE can feel exposing.
It can be hard for pupils with speech disorders too.
If they cannot communicate as effectively, it can feel unsafe to ask for help, explain needs, or respond under pressure.

Sometimes we start with play.
Games.
Simple challenges.
Role play using cartoon characters.
That is not just for early years and primary.
It can work really well for older children who have a lower cognitive and intellectual age, because it reduces pressure and makes learning feel safe.

Sometimes we start with the basics.
Walking.
Short routines.
A predictable warm up.
A calm pace.
That can be the first win that builds confidence and trust.

Sometimes we go the other way.
Weight based gym training.
Structured strength sessions.
Clear progression.
That can be the hook for young people who need routine and tangible progress.

For some pupils, it is not even the activity that is the trigger.
It is the pressure and expectations.
Having to join in.
Being watched.
Being compared.
Fear of getting it wrong.
Fear of negative comments.
Fear of standing out.

We have also seen the power of this work with young people involved in criminal activities.
A positive outlet can shift identity.
It can build self worth.
It can give space to make different choices.
The end goal is always the same.
If they are in school, reintegrate them back into PE feeling more confident, more able, and ready.

If they are in a children’s home or supported living, build fitness and movement into their routine in a way that feels safe, realistic, and sustainable.

We use the same approach across settings.
Schools.
Children’s homes.
Residential settings.
Semi independent living.

We adapt the entry point.
We keep the language consistent.
We build skills that carry into real life.
Every age, every stage. Wellbeing for life.

I am sharing this because it shows what happens when a young person gets choice, consistency, and the right support.

I work 1 to 1 with a 15 year old who has experienced school based avoidance for years.
He has a diagnosis of ASD.
He can withdraw at any moment if he feels overwhelmed, so trust, pacing, and predictability matter.

Before we met in person, we had 3 video calls to help him settle and feel safe with the idea of working together.
His needs were not met early in education.
His attendance has been very poor in the past. He missed around two years of school.

Mondays are his hardest day.
Unstructured weekends can build his anxiety up.
By Monday morning it can feel crippling for him.

Here is the key point.
The intervention is the engagement tool.
We start with what the young person chooses.
Not what adults think they should do.
He chose cooking and nutrition because it felt safe and it matched his interest.
That choice creates ownership.
Ownership creates buy in.
Buy in creates consistency.
Consistency creates trust.

Once we have that, our coaches do the real work.
We use the chosen activity as the doorway, then we intentionally strengthen other areas of the Power of 8 around it.

Cooking is never just cooking.
It becomes a safe space to build confidence through small wins.
It becomes a chance to practise regulation when anxiety rises.
It becomes connection through steady conversation and shared focus.
It becomes goals through simple steps and accountability.
It becomes belonging through predictability and feeling accepted.

We track this using weekly scoring across the Power of 8 areas.
He can see where he is each week.
He can see what is improving.
He can see what still feels hard.
He helps choose the next step, so it stays his journey.
The best part is this.
The Power of 8 is not tied to one setting.
This framework and our programmes can go anywhere children and young people are.

After 5 weeks, the change is real.
He is cooking and baking foods outside his comfort zone.
He is trying foods. Not every time. Not always liking them. That is still progress.
One of my favourite parts is the family element.
He now makes bigger batches so he can take food home.
He wants his family to try what he has made.
It creates moments of pride and connection at home, not just progress in the session.

It gives his family a positive talking point that is not about attendance or anxiety.
I have been told he has woken up early on two occasions, excited to come to the session.
That is not small.
That is a young person choosing to show up, after years of struggling.

So I proposed a personal goal with him.
Move his session to the morning after half term.
The aim is simple. Build momentum early and support a full day of engagement.
He accepted.
He is starting morning sessions after half term.
This is the work.

This is what happens when you meet needs properly, build trust, and stay consistent.
Every age, every stage. Wellbeing for life.

✨ Free Power of 8 Wellbeing Downloads for Parents & Carers ✨

We have created a set of simple wellbeing resources you can use at home to help you:

🌟 Turn everyday moments into opportunities for connection
🌟 Boost your family’s mood and motivation with quick, feel-good activities
🌟 Create a calmer, more positive home environment without adding extra pressure

They’re free, easy to use, and designed so you can start straight away.

Want them?
📩 Comment “YES” below or send me a DM with your email address, and I’ll send them out at the end of this week.

Sometimes it’s the smallest changes that make the biggest difference. 💛

Introducing the Power of 8 Visual

Here it is – the Power of 8 framework.

Can you visualise this in your family home, or in your professional setting?
Think about how these 8 outcomes could help shape your wellbeing provision at work — or strengthen wellbeing in your own home.

The Power of 8 is designed to work anywhere:
• In schools to build confidence, voice, and emotional resilience
• In care settings to create trust, routine, and a sense of belonging
• In homes to strengthen connection and create positive habits
• In youth services to inspire creativity, purpose, and life skills

Looking at these 8 outcomes, I’d love to know:
• Which feels easiest for you to support right now?
• Which do you find most challenging?
• Where would you like more ideas and support?

We have some fantastic free resources launching soon, along with paid handbooks and toolkits at a very reasonable rate — all designed to make the Power of 8 easy to use in real life.

Your feedback will help shape what’s coming, so it’s genuinely useful — not just on paper.

Drop your thoughts in the comments or send me a quick DM. I read every one.

Here it is – the Power of 8 framework.

Can you visualise this in your family home, or in your professional setting?

Think about how these 8 outcomes could help shape your wellbeing provision at work — or strengthen wellbeing in your own home.

The Power of 8 is designed to work anywhere:
• In schools to build confidence, voice, and emotional resilience
• In care settings to create trust, routine, and a sense of belonging
• In homes to strengthen connection and positive habits
• In youth services to inspire creativity, purpose, and life skills

Looking at these 8 outcomes, I’d love to know:
• Which feels easiest for you to support right now?
• Which do you find most challenging?
• Where would you like more ideas and support?

We have some fantastic free resources launching soon, along with paid handbooks and toolkits at a very reasonable rate — all designed to make the Power of 8 easy to use in real life.

Your feedback will help shape what’s coming, so it’s genuinely useful — not just on paper.

Drop your thoughts in the comments or send me a quick DM. I read every one.

Who is the Power of 8 for?

What if one framework could support wellbeing, growth, and personal development – no matter where a young person is?

The Power of 8 is designed to do exactly that.

Whether it’s used in a school, care setting, youth service or at home, this framework adapts to the environment — while keeping its core outcomes consistent and measurable.

From confidence building in the classroom, to emotional regulation in care, to life skills in youth settings — the Power of 8 is already making an impact across schools, care setting and communities.

Because personal development shouldn’t depend on where you are.

It should grow with you.

Schools – Supporting wellbeing, confidence, and voice
Care Settings – Building trust, routines, and identity
Youth Services – Empowering independence and life skills
Family Homes – Strengthening connection and positive habits

Same framework. Different settings. Real results.

Click the website below to learn more.
Or DM to bring the Power of 8 into your setting.

www.activ8tion.co.uk

[email protected]

What is the Power of 8 for?

What if one framework could support wellbeing, growth, and personal development – no matter where a young person is?

The Power of 8 is designed to do exactly that.

Whether it’s used in a school, care setting, youth service or at home, this framework adapts to the environment — while keeping its core outcomes consistent and measurable.

From confidence building in the classroom, to emotional regulation in care, to life skills in youth settings — the Power of 8 is already making an impact across schools, care setting and communities.

Because personal development shouldn’t depend on where you are.

It should grow with you.

Schools – Supporting wellbeing, confidence, and voice
Care Settings – Building trust, routines, and identity
Youth Services – Empowering independence and life skills
Family Homes – Strengthening connection and positive habits

Same framework. Different settings. Real results.

Click the website below to learn more.
Or DM to bring the Power of 8 into your setting.

www.activ8tion.co.uk

[email protected]

SEND Parents 💚

Do you find it easy to locate activities and services in the community for your child?

Discounted sessions are available over the Easter half term.

Only a few spaces left, get in touch to book your sessions or for more information.

Ben 😊

Activ8tion is pleased to announce the 8 week family wellbeing challenge launches on the 26th February.

Are you and your family looking for a fun way to improve your wellbeing, bring the family closer together and improve quality time spent together?

If that’s a yes, this is definitely a challenge for you 😃

Over the course of the 8 weeks you will be assigned:

3 family workouts per week
1 cooking activity per week
1 wellbeing task per week

We have limited spaces for this challenge and we are offering a huge discount!

Full price: £125 per family
Discounted price: £75 per family

If you want to register your interest, please click on the link below and complete the Jotform. Please ensure you insert your email address so we can send correspondence.

We are super excited to see you and your family build deeper relationships and have fun together.

Comment below for more information 🤩

https://form.jotform.com/240031357419046