Jacob's story

When nine-year-old Jacob arrived at Honeypot Dalleagles for the very first Health and Wellbeing Break at our Scottish house, he felt a mixture of excitement and nerves. It was his first time staying away from home without family, and like many of the children referred by schools, Jacob had been finding things difficult.

At school, Jacob had been struggling to manage his emotions, particularly after experiencing unkind behaviour from other pupils. He often felt sad, anxious, and self-conscious, especially when incidents in class made it harder for him to focus and feel settled. He was also sensitive to tense moments in the classroom, and when situations became heightened, he sometimes felt overwhelmed and unsure how to respond.

Although Jacob had support at school, including attending a small group focused on emotional wellbeing, he still needed additional opportunities to build confidence, develop friendships and learn new ways to manage his feelings. When Jacob learned he had been selected to attend a Honeypot Health and Wellbeing Break, he was both excited and nervous.

Jacob travelled with a small group of children from his school, giving him the chance to strengthen existing friendships and connect with new peers in a supportive environment.

During the break, the group took part in a wide range of activities designed to build confidence, teamwork and emotional awareness. They visited Dumfries House, explored outdoor trails, and completed a long group walk - even getting slightly lost along the way, which Jacob recalls as a fun shared experience that brought everyone closer together.

Back at Honeypot Dalleagles, the children took part in creative and wellbeing-focused sessions. They made ‘worry monsters’ using natural materials collected outdoors, talked about their emotions in the learning studio, and worked together on arts and crafts activities. They also enjoyed practical activities like flipping pancakes, shared meals together, and relaxed with sound bath and movie nights.

Jacob particularly valued the chance to spend time with friends in a relaxed setting.

“My favourite thing was going to Dumfries House," he says. "It was really fun and I was really glad we had fun nights and I shared a room with my friends.”

By the end of the break, Jacob’s confidence had grown noticeably. Having successfully spent time away from home, built stronger friendships and taken part in new experiences, he returned feeling calmer and more positive.

The experience also helped Jacob feel more confident back at school, particularly after bonding with classmates in a new environment.

Jacob’s story highlights the importance of early intervention and the impact of Honeypot’s Health and Wellbeing Breaks for children who may be struggling emotionally, socially or with confidence. By providing a safe and nurturing environment, these breaks help children step away from daily pressures, build resilience and develop friendships that support them long after they return home.

For schools, identifying children who would benefit from this additional support can make a lasting difference. Honeypot’s Health and Wellbeing programmes offers a structured, supportive experience designed to complement existing school-based support and help children thrive both emotionally and socially.

Jacob has one message for other children who might feel nervous about attending: “It’s okay to be nervous, but when you get there, you’re going to smash it!”