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Town mascot Bluey joins mental health lesson at Ranelagh Primary

Ipswich Town's mascot, Bluey, surprised pupils at Ranelagh Primary School during a special mental health awareness session on February 4.

Why it matters: The visit was part of Suffolk Mind's Bluesday Tuesday initiative, which teaches children essential mental health techniques and aims to fund similar sessions at other schools through 'pay it forward' fundraising.

Ipswich Town's mascot, Bluey, surprised pupils at Ranelagh Primary School
Suffolk Mind
Ipswich Town's mascot, Bluey, surprised pupils at Ranelagh Primary School

The details: Children learned several key mental health skills during the session:

  • Reflective listening techniques for better peer support

  • 'Dragon breathing' for stress management and clearer thinking

  • The importance of movement for mental wellbeing

What they're saying: "Children often speak to other children before they speak to adults, so learning to listen is such a useful skill for them to support each other," said Louise Taylor-Harris, Suffolk Mind's Children, Family and Young People's Service Manager.

Ranelagh Primary School Headteacher Nicky Ling added: "Promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing is key to helping our children here at Ranelagh achieve and thrive in their learning."

The bottom line: The event, featuring the tagline "If I'm Blue, I can talk to you," aims to re-engage with schools Suffolk Mind has previously worked with while raising funds to expand the programme to more schools.

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Gipping Construction doing on going renovations to outside of Ipswich Museum

Gipping Construction

Based just outside Ipswich, Gipping Construction is an employee-owned construction company that operates in the private and public sectors across East Anglia.
Russell Osman having his ears checked by All About Hearing audiologist and co-director, Karen Finch

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David Button Funeral Directors, Gipping Construction and All About Hearing

Gipping Construction doing on going renovations to outside of Ipswich Museum

Gipping Construction

Based just outside Ipswich, Gipping Construction is an employee-owned construction company that operates in the private and public sectors across East Anglia.
Russell Osman having his ears checked by All About Hearing audiologist and co-director, Karen Finch

Exceptional hearing care with a personal touch

Suffolk’s independent hearing specialists, combining expert care, cutting-edge technology and personalised service to help you hear at your best.
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David Button Funeral Directors, Gipping Construction and All About Hearing

Gipping Construction doing on going renovations to outside of Ipswich Museum

Gipping Construction

Based just outside Ipswich, Gipping Construction is an employee-owned construction company that operates in the private and public sectors across East Anglia.
Russell Osman having his ears checked by All About Hearing audiologist and co-director, Karen Finch

Exceptional hearing care with a personal touch

Suffolk’s independent hearing specialists, combining expert care, cutting-edge technology and personalised service to help you hear at your best.
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