Premier League Launch Wellbeing Stars Initiative

March 19, 2021 

The Premier League has launched the Wellbeing Stars challenge, which encourages primary school-aged children across England and Wales to come up with and carry out five acts of kindness in a single week. 

Wellbeing Stars is the latest initiative from the Premier League Primary Stars education programme, which uses the appeal of the Premier League and football to inspire children to learn, be active and develop important life skills. 

The programme is supported by 110 professional football clubs in their communities, as well as via free online resources. It covers subjects from English and Maths to teamwork and PE, with free-to-download activity ideas, worksheets, lesson plans, fun assemblies and exclusive videos. 

Clinical psychologist Dr. Hazel Harrison, who assisted with the creation of the Premier League Wellbeing Stars activity, said: “It’s initiatives like this that can ease the return to school and build up children's wellbeing and focus on their strengths. All of us, but particularly children, need to connect – and re-connect – with our peers and wider community right now.” 

"Encouraging children to help others is a great way to do this. Forming meaningful connections with others makes us feel happier, braver and closer to one another. Not only that, but we know that young people who take part in social action projects feel a stronger sense of belonging to their communities.” 

Teachers and families can download a free Wellbeing Stars resource pack, which includes a "Wellbeing Week" worksheet where children can write down each of their acts of kindness and reflect on how they have made others feel. Students can take part in the challenges at school or at home, individually, as part of a group or as a family. Teachers, parents and guardians are then encouraged to submit children's completed worksheets by Monday 19 April to Premier League Primary Stars.

Children can also take inspiration from the acts of kindness of league players who have helped their communities throughout the national lockdown. Videos within the Wellbeing Stars resource will feature Tottenham Hotspur's Ben Davies, who has supported his elderly neighbour, as well as Brighton & Hove Albion's Neal Maupay, who has made sure he checks in with family, friends and neighbours. 

Each participating school will also receive a Premier League Wellbeing Stars calendar, containing a collection of work from the challenge, with three schools being recognised for their efforts with a school visit from the Premier League Trophy. There will also be opportunities to access a selection of exclusive rewards. 

Premier League Head of Community Nick Perchard said: “Social action has been an important part of the nation’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and is a key theme for all Premier League community activity. 

"Premier League Wellbeing Stars will enable children to have a better understanding of how their acts of kindness can have a positive impact on others and will also give them the opportunity to learn from their peers’ projects.”