The Storyful Way is a research-led wellbeing programme for primary schools that uses storytelling, mindfulness and creative practice to support children’s mental health, resilience and emotional literacy.
Designed in partnership with teachers, the programme responds to the growing wellbeing challenges facing children today, helping schools create calmer classrooms, stronger relationships and more confident learners.
At its heart, The Storyful Way supports Year 5 and Year 6 pupils, aligning with PSHE, wellbeing and whole-school priorities, while placing minimal additional pressure on staff.
Teachers know better than anyone that children’s emotional needs have intensified in recent years.
During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, young people’s mental health declined sharply, both in rural communities and nationally. A YoungMinds survey found that 67% of young people believe the pandemic will have a long-term negative impact on their mental health. National data from the DfE and NHS shows that in 2021 one in six children had a probable mental disorder, compared to one in nine in 2017.
Crucially, schools are carrying much of this weight. As the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine noted in 2022:
“Children’s burgeoning mental health needs are not currently being met by the health sector. Schools and teachers provide vital support but they are buckling under the strain.”
The Storyful Way exists to support schools, not add to workload, by offering practical, evidence-based tools that fit naturally into the school day.
The Storyful Way grew out of a real need in our community.
Following a serious bullying incident, Sita Brand developed an in-school project called The Mindful Way, designed to help children develop compassion, self-worth and the confidence to stand up for themselves and others.
The response from pupils and teachers was overwhelmingly positive. An independent evaluation showed that children’s wellbeing scores increased from an average of 44 (below the national average) to 50.2 on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale.
The pilot demonstrated that:
Most importantly, it revealed a widespread issue of low self-esteem and emotional distress, and a clear opportunity for early, preventative support in schools.
The Storyful Way combines storytelling, mindfulness and creative exercises to help children understand their emotions, build empathy and develop resilience.
Stories offer children a safe way to explore difficult feelings. As psychologist Bruno Bettelheim wrote in The Uses of Enchantment, stories help young people find the courage to face real-life challenges. Mindfulness complements this by teaching children to notice thoughts and worries, and respond to them with greater calm and awareness. Together, these approaches support:
All within a structure that feels engaging, creative and age-appropriate.
The Storyful Way is led by Sita Brand, Founder and CEO of Settle Stories, and delivered by a multidisciplinary team including educators, psychologists, professional storytellers, mindfulness practitioners and artists.
With support from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, we are currently delivering a two-year research project in primary schools, testing and refining the programme to ensure it is effective, inclusive and practical for real classrooms.
Sita Brand – Founder and CEO of Settle Stories, professional storyteller and trained mindfulness coach, with extensive experience working with children and young people.
Emma Thompson – Qualified primary school teacher with leadership experience, specialising in child development, safeguarding and wellbeing.
Charlotte Arnold – Dance artist, writer and educator, working with movement and mindfulness.
Bonnie Craig – Visual artist exploring pattern, order and creativity.
Bryony Prichard – Interdisciplinary artist specialising in socially engaged practice and wellbeing.
Jude Ho – Award-winning writer and documentary maker, mindfulness and yoga teacher in primary schools.
Lora Aziz – Artist working with nature, land and community herbalism.
Sarah Hymas – Writer and creative workshop facilitator in schools and community settings.
Anthony Haddon – Artistic Director of Theatre Company Blah Blah Blah, with international experience in theatre education.
Jean Gross CBE – National education expert specialising in inclusion and wellbeing.
The Evaluator – Specialists in creative evaluation for charities and public sector organisations.
The programme is peer-reviewed by the Centre for Behavioural Science and Applied Psychology, Sheffield Hallam University.
