St Helens Rotary delivers Mother's Day well-being cards to schools

A team at St Helens Rotary created a QR code to promote women’s health and well-being awareness.

St Helens Rotary Vocational Team sent Mother’s Day cards to local primary schools, with pupils able to fill in the card with a special message, before giving it to their parents.

The cards included a copy of the QR code, which directed users to links listing the mental health support services available in the area.

Pupils at Holy Cross, Rivington, and Bleak Hill Primary Schools received the cards.

Holy Cross pupils filling in their Mother's Day cards (Image: Paul Winstanley)

Discussing the idea, team leader Gaynor Winstanley said: "Sometimes women are too busy or do not know where to seek help for health or welling advice, so we thought of a unique way of providing advice at a special time for many women, Mother’s Day.

"The idea is to provide a Rotary Mother’s Day card which would contain a QR code inside that once scanned using a phone’s camera, would take the user to a landing page that would provide links to the various council and NHS websites that would provide support and guidance.

"Both the council and NHS Clinical Commissioning Group were approached, and both thought it was a great idea."

Melissa Lawrenson, head teacher at Bleak Hill Primary School, added: "The Year Three children of Bleak Hill thoroughly enjoyed making their Mothers' Day cards to honour someone special in their lives.

"The children made a special effort and were all thrilled to take home their cards from the Rotary Club.

"The cards were a great idea from the Rotary Club as it allowed parents to scan the QR code, which presented information to encourage them to take a moment to reflect on their own health and well-being as well as providing them with a wealth of resources to access."

Rivington pupil with her personalised Mother's Day card containing the QR code (Image: Paul Winstanley)

A total of 600 Mother’s Day cards were distributed to primary schools, with several parents learning about services offered in the borough to support their mental well-being.

Katie, a parent whose child is at Rivington Primary, said: "This year, I received a Mother’s Day card from my oldest daughter.

"It is a special feeling receiving a card on Mother’s Day, but a card that your daughter did especially for you, is a different feeling altogether.

"When I received it, I was surprised to see a QR code inside. I scanned it using the camera on my phone to find various links that directed me to several websites that give advice on health and well-being that women may find useful.

"I am very grateful to Rotary St Helens for supporting women’s health and well-being in such a unique way and for providing the Mother’s Day card."

For information on the mental health and well-being services available, scan the QR code below using your phone camera or download the free QR code app.

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