Red Balloon, Norwich

This week has been Mental Health Awareness Week, and we wanted to take a moment to recognise it and encourage us all to reflect on this year’s important theme:

“Take Action – for yourself, for someone else, for all of us.”

Mental health is something that affects every one of us, whether directly or indirectly. Taking small, intentional actions can make a meaningful difference not just to our own wellbeing, but to the people around us and the wider community.

As we head into the weekend, we encourage you to take a little time to pause and consider how you might take action in a way that feels right for you. Here are a few simple ideas to get you started:

Take Action for Yourself
Pause and reset: Build in moments of stillness—whether that’s sitting quietly, taking a few deep breaths, or stepping outside for fresh air.
Prioritise rest: Ensure you’re getting enough sleep and giving yourself permission to slow down.
Move your body: Gentle exercise like walking, stretching, or yoga can have a powerful impact on mood.
Limit overwhelm: Take a break from screens or social media if you’re feeling overloaded.

Take Action for Someone Else
Check in: Send a message, make a call, or have a coffee with someone you haven’t spoken to in a while.
Listen actively: Sometimes simply being present and listening without judgment is the best support you can offer.
Show appreciation: A small “thank you” or kind word can go a long way.

Take Action for All of Us
Foster openness: Encourage conversations about mental health and help reduce stigma.
Be mindful of others: Small acts of kindness and patience can positively impact our shared environment.
Look out for colleagues: If someone seems quieter than usual, a simple check-in can make a difference.

Please remember support is available, and it’s okay to reach out when you need it. Taking action doesn’t have to be big. Small, consistent steps can create lasting change.

Red Balloon, Norwich

Although April was a short month in class this year, our students have been really busy. Have a read to find out more:

https://rbnorwich.org.uk/march-newsletter-2/

April Newsletter | Red Balloon Norwich Please see our newsletter for April.

Wishing all our students, staff, parents, carers, contractors & supporters a very happy Easter 🐣
Enjoy reading our latest newsletter!

https://rbnorwich.org.uk/march-newsletter/

A huge thank you to Glenn Floyd for donating new Assure Viners Kitchen Knives 'with a rounded edge' to Mark Anderson, Head of Centre, on behalf of the RED BALLOON - NORWICH school. The presentation was made by Glenn Floyd alongside Lorraine Bliss MBE representing the The Joe Dix Foundation.

Glenn shared his motivation for this generous donation: "I want to raise awareness about the importance of health and safety for our young people." By using rounded edged knives in cooking lessons and allowing young people to see them used for food preparation at lunchtime, we are helping to keep more young people and future generations safe from the risks associated with knives. I encourage more people to follow my lead and support more fantastic organisations like RED BALLOON - NORWICH.

If you are a parent, carer, or local business looking to give back to your community, this is a meaningful way to contribute. Contact The Joe Dix Foundation for more information about how to make a donation

Our Drayton Road centre was a buzz with talk about today, with many of our students and staff dressing up to show their love of reading. Even our little school mascot, Max, got dressed up today!

This day is all about inspiring children to read, because reading for fun improves lives. Thank you to all our staff who continue to inspire our students everyday, no matter the subject.

We would love to see your World Book Day photos too!

Time to read all about what our students have been getting up to this month ❤️ February newsletter is ready to read!

https://rbnorwich.org.uk/february-newsletter/

It might be half term but that doesn’t stop us making sure our students & staff have robust online security.

Thankfully we have the team at Beacon IT working hard for us.

One of our regular review meetings today. Always important to protect our students online access. Talking NCSC, protecting sensitive student/staff data and infrastructure from threats like ransomware and phishing.

The biscuits were yummy too!

Red Balloon – Norwich are looking for a Learning Support Mentor 1:1, to provide one to one intervention and support to an individual student who struggles with their social and emotional health needs. The post holder will liaise with teaching staff, the Head of Centre, the SEN Manager and DSL team to ensure that their allocated student can access their full timetabled curriculum confidently. They will also communicate with parents and carers of the young person.

To find out more and to apply, please visit our website:
https://rbnorwich.org.uk/careers/learning-support-mentor/

Are you looking for a new challenge?

We are looking to fill the full time role of Attendance Officer.

At Red Balloon we support students from 11-16 yrs old who have had difficult life experiences, trauma, abuse, bullying and more, and who are not able to settle in mainstream school.

To find out more about this position please head over to our website, where you will find the job description and application form. The deadline to apply is 17th February 2026.

Attendance Officer – Red Balloon Norwich Explore our latest posts to learn more about supporting students with diverse needs, read inspiring student spotlights, and gain valuable perspectives on education and wellbeing. Stay tuned for regular content highlighting our commitment to excellent teaching and personalised support.

The start of the Spring term has been busy for staff and students at Red Balloon Norwich. Read on to find out more in our January newsletter:
https://mailchi.mp/rbnorwich/january-2026-newsletter-862