Letter to Y10 Parents: Tom Talks
Mon 24 Jun 2024
Dear Parent/Carer,
On Friday 5 July 2024 we are pleased to welcome back into the academy Tom Talks.
Last year our current Y11 students were able to listen to Tom’s powerful and personal message and unanimously asked if he could return for other year groups. Tom Talks was founded to make a difference in the world delivering talks in education settings, to raise awareness around mental health and let people know that it’s okay to not be okay. During the assembly Tom will raise awareness around mental health, share a personal journey and his own life experience (the loss of his brother Liam to suicide and his own struggles). He will discuss with students ways we can improve our mental health by changing habits and lifestyles and how social media affects our mental health but how we can deal with the online reality that we have today. Finally he will discuss the stigma around male mental health, why there is stigma but again how we can break down the stigma.
If you would like any further information you can access Tom’s website here; below is a recent testimony from another South Yorkshire School:
‘Thanks so much for coming into our school today and delivering your ‘Toms Talks’ to years 7, 8, 9 and 10. The engagement from students and their participation from the Q&A at the end of each session was amazing to witness. Keep spreading the word and raising awareness that mental health needs. Your story inspires and helps to motivate those who struggle to speak out’
If you would like any further information, or if there are any reasons that you think your child should not attend the assembly, please do not hesitate to contact me at s.riley@shafton.outwood.com
Yours faithfully,
Sarah Riley
Assistant Principal