Bridge the Gap Podcast - Child mental Health

This week we’re exploring mindfulness - what it really means, how it feels in everyday life, and why it’s so much more than sitting still and breathing.We talk honestly about our own journeys with mindfulness, including how Jennifer went from eye-rolling at the idea to fully embracing the power of slowing down, noticing the world through her senses, and finding tiny pockets of presence in a busy life.We unpack some common myths (it’s not about being calm all the time) and look at why so many children are put off mindfulness when it’s taught in ways that don’t meet them where they are.Most importantly, we share small, playful, developmentally-aware ways to weave mindfulness into family life, sensory moments, gentle pauses, everyday noticing - without pressure or perfection.As always, it’s a blend of lived experience, emotional literacy, and what we see every day in our work with children and parents.Welcome to the Bridge the Gap Podcast, real conversations about children’s emotions, behaviour and development, without the jargon or judgement. We talk openly about what’s going on for children and for the adults around them, from anxiety and anger to friendships, boundaries and belonging.We blend lived experience with professional, emotional literacy and evidence-informed practice, to help you feel more confident supporting the children in your world. You can access exclusive content and information from us at Bridge the Gap through our website  and digital offering.#childanger #childmentalhealth #parentingpodcasts #parentingteens #childanxiety

This week on The Bridge the Gap Podcast, we’re talking friendships - the joy, the heartbreak, and everything in between.Jennifer opens up about her own experiences of friendship struggles growing up, and we explore how our past can quietly shape the way we respond when our own children face similar challenges.We look at what we can actually teach children about friendship, from handling fallouts to setting boundaries and share practical ways to support them without stepping in or hijacking the situation.As always, it’s an honest and compassionate conversation, blending lived experience with professional insight to help parents and carers nurture connection and resilience.Welcome to the Bridge the Gap Podcast, real conversations about children’s emotions, behaviour and development, without the jargon or judgement. We talk openly about what’s going on for children and for the adults around them, from anxiety and anger to friendships, boundaries and belonging.We blend lived experience with professional, emotional literacy and evidence-informed practice, to help you feel more confident supporting the children in your world. You can access exclusive content and information from us at Bridge the Gap through our website and digital offering.⁠YOUTUBE VIDEOS ON FRIENDSHIPShttps://youtu.be/WGimtfIx5lQ?si=zrWuvFdEjYBE24Xwhttps://youtu.be/Hse0ebsREzg?si=TMIMoCrLYAkYEAKuTHE FRIENDSHIP TREE POSTERThe Friendship Tree#childanger #childmentalhealth #parentingpodcasts #parentingteens #childanxiety

This week on The Bridge the Gap Podcast we’re tackling one of the most common questions we get asked - “How do I get my child to listen?”We explore what listening really means (spoiler: it’s not just about hearing words), how children’s listening skills develop over time, and why it can sometimes feel like they’re tuning us out.From toddlerhood to teens, we share practical tips for all stages and ages, including how to use tone, timing and body language to help your child feel safe, seen, and ready to listen.As always, it’s a blend of lived experience and professional insight, full of realistic ideas you can try at home to make communication calmer and more connected.Welcome to the Bridge the Gap Podcast, real conversations about children’s emotions, behaviour and development, without the jargon or judgement. We talk openly about what’s going on for children and for the adults around them, from anxiety and anger to friendships, boundaries and belonging.We blend lived experience with professional, emotional literacy and evidence-informed practice, to help you feel more confident supporting the children in your world. You can access exclusive content and information from us at Bridge the Gap through our website and digital offering.⁠#childanger #childmentalhealth #parentingpodcasts #parentingteens #childanxiety

This week we're talking all things worry - what it is, what it isn’t, and why understanding the difference between worry and anxiety really matters for children (and for us as adults).We explore what the brain is trying to do when we worry, why some common responses accidentally make anxiety worse, and how to help children feel less frightened by their thoughts. We also share why we don’t use “worry monsters,” how to guide a healthy worry conversation, and simple ways to support problem-solving when a child feels overwhelmed.It’s our usual blend of lived experience, child development insight and practical strategies for parents, carers and professionals supporting children’s mental health, emotional wellbeing, and self-regulation.Welcome to the Bridge the Gap Podcast, real conversations about children’s emotions, behaviour and development, without the jargon or judgement. We talk openly about what’s going on for children and for the adults around them, from anxiety and anger to friendships, boundaries and belonging.We blend lived experience with professional, emotional literacy and evidence-informed practice, to help you feel more confident supporting the children in your world. You can access exclusive content and information from us at Bridge the Gap through our website and digital offering.⁠#childanger #childmentalhealth #parentingpodcasts #parentingteens #childanxiety

Connecting With Our Teens (Even When They Feel Like Strangers Overnight)In this episode we talk honestly about the emotional shift that happens when our children hit those in-between years, from year 7 in secondary school, sudden changes in identity, friendships, attitude, and how hard it can be for parents to let go of the version of them we knew while learning who they are becoming.We explore:What makes connection feel harder in the early teen yearsThe grief and wobble parents sometimes feel when our child changesSimple, doable ways to “show up” even when they push us away“The Power of Ten”, small daily moments that build trust over timeSafe, respectful touches and why they still matter even for big kidsOur own lived experiences as parents, the mistakes, the surprises, and the winsIt’s a gentle, real-life conversation about staying connected while giving them space to grow and giving ourselves compassion as we adapt with them.PODCAST WITH JENNIFER WYMAN AND NIKKI WEBSTER directors of Bridge the Gap Child Mental Health C.I.C.Join us to discuss all things mental health, parenting & supporting children.Welcome to the Bridge the Gap Podcast, real conversations about children’s emotions, behaviour and development, without the jargon or judgement. We talk openly about what’s going on for children and for the adults around them, from anxiety and anger to friendships, boundaries and belonging.We blend lived experience with professional, emotional literacy and evidence-informed practice, to help you feel more confident supporting the children in your world.You can access exclusive content and information from us at Bridge the Gap through our website and digital offering.https://www.jwbridgethegap.com/https://bridgethegap-onlinecourses.th...⁠#childanger #childmentalhealth #parentingpodcasts #parentingteens #childanxiety

Welcome to the Bridge the Gap Podcast, real conversations about children’s emotions, behaviour and development, without the jargon or judgement. We talk openly about what’s going on for children and for the adults around them, from anxiety and anger to friendships, boundaries and belonging.We blend lived experience, emotional literacy and evidence-informed practice to help you feel more confident supporting the children in your world.In this episode we’re talking about anger, not as “bad behaviour”, but as a signal.We’ll chat through the stages of anger in children, what’s happening beneath the surface, and why the goal isn’t to shut anger down but to safely guide children through it. Expect practical ideas, honest discussion, and a gentle reminder that anger nearly always has a story underneath it.You can access exclusive content and information from us at Bridge the Gap through our website and digital offering...Responding to Your Child's Anger | Bridge the GapBridge the Gap - Online Courses #childanger #childmentalhealth #parentingpodcasts

For World Mental Health Day this year we sat down with our associate, Dr. Erbes from Psychology for Wellbeing to talk about mental health but how that links to behaviour and presentation in schools. We touch a lot on anger and anxiety and give practical tools and ideas as to how to support a child who is struggling with their emotions in some capacity. This episode was recorded live and it was a fantastic and informative discussion. Please show your support to the podcast and share with friends and family - these important conversations can make a big difference. ****Bridge the Gap Child Mental Health C.I.C. are based in Derby and work across the U.K. delivering training that makes a difference to children as well as offering various support to children living within the city as well as offering safe emotional support in a 1:1 capacity or in small groups. They create and share many free resources and have an extensive online whole school mental health portal. https://www.youtube.com/@bridgethegapchildmentalhea3914 https://www.jwbridgethegap.com/ https://www.facebook.com/jwbridgethegap/ https://www.instagram.com/bridgethegap_cmh/ #childmentalhealth #emotionalliteracy #actuallyautistic #emotions #mentalhealth #communitywork #derbycity #derbyshire

What a pleasure it was to be joined by the lovely Sophie from Bright Emotions C.I.C. Bright emotions are based in Bedfordshire and they offer creative emotional literacy sessions for children to attend, both by themselves, or with their parents. Sophie has lived experience of struggling with her emotions and mental health as a child and young person and she discusses how a diagnosis of ADHD and autism as an adult helped her to understand why she found certain situations difficult, as well as helping her to create others to find that sense if understanding of themselves sooner. Bright Emotions CIC Bright Emotions CIC (@brightemotions_) • Instagram photos and videos We hope you enjoy! As always do show some love to our guests on their socials, as well as on ours please :) and remember this - you matter, you are loved and you are not alone... Bridge the Gap Child Mental Health C.I.C. are based in Derby and work across the U.K. delivering training that makes a difference to children as well as offering various support to children living within the city. Child Mental Health Support |Bridge the Gap| Derby England | Emotional Literacy (jwbridgethegap.com) BTG | Child Mental Health (@bridgethegap_cmh) • Instagram photos and videos (18) Facebook Bridge the Gap Child Mental Health - YouTube #childmentalhealth #emotionalliteracy #actuallyautistic #emotions #mentalhealth #communitywork #derbycity #derbyshire

TRIGGER WARNING This episode discusses the following topics: Suicide Baby Loss Infertility and there are strong displays of emotion If you feel these topics might make you feel unsafe in any way then please don't listen - we will welcome you back on another episode. A powerful talk with the amazing Rory Green from Enlighten the Shadows. Enlighten The Shadows - A Place For Blokes To Be Heard! This world mental health day we wanted to share a very real and raw conversation we had with Rory, there is so much to take away from this episode but the main message is that situations change, things can and do get better. It's not easy and life is challenging but safe relationships and reaching out changes lives, including our own. If you are struggling please stay and take some time to click on the links below. You matter, you are loved, you are not alone... Samaritans | Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy | Here to listenStaying Safe Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide (papyrus-uk.org) Baby loss information and support | Tommy's (tommys.org) c72ecf_dac5ce0748884bea878e556f6efc88e6.pdf (jwbridgethegap.com) Bridge the Gap Child Mental Health C.I.C. are a community interest company based in Derby, find out more... Child Mental Health Support |Bridge the Gap| Derby England | Emotional Literacy (jwbridgethegap.com) #worldmentalhealthday

This week Jennifer and Nikki talk to the fantastic Shelley Smith, an Integrative Psychotherapist (MBACP) and Managing Director of Sunrise Wellbeing C.I.C. Shelley is passionate about offering a therapeutic service to help people of all ages with their presenting issues, to support their mental health and wellbeing and to provide them with strategies and skills that can prevent their troubles from escalating. We are all just trying our best in this busy world but sometimes need a little support along the way, especially in times of difficulty. This is why it was always Shelley’s dream to be able to offer a hub of therapeutic and holistic support to all. In this interesting conversation Jennifer and Nikki found out more about Shelley's recent ADHD diagnosis and what drives her to work to try and make a change in the world. Full of reflection points that helps us all to think about how we manage our own mental health as well as how we nurture our children's. Let us know what you think and don't forget to connect with us on social media, let's carry on the conversation. Enjoy the episode! Jennifer and Nikki are Directors of Bridge the Gap Child Mental Health C.I.C. Bridge the Gap are an Emotional Literacy based service, helping children to explore and understand their emotions, how they feel in their body, why they might be feeling different emotions, learn different ways of how to respond to different emotions, and putting it into action. ​ Bridge the Gap are a non-clinical service and operate as a 'Relationship Focused Model'. This means we work to build safe relationships with children and young people, as well as those important to them; working longer-term with a child or young person for the best long-term outcomes. We nurture children's authentic resilience, self-esteem and growth mindset so that they can live a fulfilling life. ​ Bridge the Gap want every child to know that they matter, they are loved and they are not alone.. #ADHD #SEND #CHILDMENTALHEALTH #EMOTIONALLITERACY #PARENTING #ANXIETYSUPPORT #ANXIETY