Schools reopening this week across Hull and East Yorkshire will have more knowledge to support healthy brains, thanks to a pioneering collaboration between P.A.U.L For Brain Recovery and University of Hull researchers.
The Importance of Brain Health
Working together, with researchers at the University, we uncovered a surprising gap in the curriculum, and together have developed teaching materials to equip staff and students with knowledge and the power to talk about the brain and how to look after it.
P.A.U.L. For Brain Recovery works with people affected by ABI and supports them to understand how the brain is important to many human functions. To aid those with ABI in their recovery, we developed “Brain Health Boards” to illustrate 14 essential aspects for good brain health.
Lead researcher Dr Kelly Dockerty said: “When Paul started to talk to schools about the Brain Health Boards the response was overwhelmingly positive, but teachers felt hesitant because they didn’t have the resources to support their conversations with children and young adults. That’s why Paul came to us.”
Dr Dockerty describes working on the project as a “lightbulb moment”. She said:
“The brain makes learning possible, but we don’t really talk about the physical health of the brain in schools. Children and young people learn through the national curriculum that the brain is an organ, but not really about how to look after the brain.
“For all the recent focus on young people’s mental health, and the benefits of a healthy diet with proper hydration, the thing we use to think about wellness gets left out of the conversation. You can’t separate the brain from all those other aspects.”
Dr Dockerty worked with Professor Jonathan Glazzard (School of Education) and dietetics expert Joanne Black (Faculty of Health) and with Paul and operations manager Leigh North.
Paul said: “I realised there was a lack of support materials during my recovery from brain injury, so the Brain Health Board was originally developed to ensure brain injury survivors had access to resources that support healthy living.
“It has been great to work with the university to further develop the Brain Health Board and turn its 14 wellness aspects into a vital resource for education settings — helping young people learn about brain health and well-being to support their development and mental health.”
“Through this project, we’ve also come to realise that good brain health isn’t just a young person’s issue or something only relevant to those affected by ABI, it’s something that matters to everyone. That’s why we’ve gone further and created resources designed specifically for adults. These materials show people practical, everyday ways to support their brain health. We hope this inspires more adults to explore how nurturing their brains can help them thrive not only in their personal lives, but also in the workplace and beyond.”
Big Brain Roadshow
The University of Hull will host P.A.U.L For Brain Recovery’s “Big Brain Roadshow” during Welcome Week (15–19 September). Students will have the opportunity to walk through a giant inflatable brain and access more information to learn more about brain health, the 14 wellness aspects, and the collaborative work between P.A.U.L For Brain Recovery and the University of Hull.
The University is also exploring how the Brain Health Boards and supporting materials can be embedded to support students throughout their academic journey, helping them to develop healthy habits that enhance both their studies and their future careers.