🧸 #BeCalm Wednesday: Bear’s Big SMS Adventure Days – A Celebration of Play, Family, and Rights

As part of Scottish Children’s Health Week, we’re celebrating #BeCalm Wednesday by reflecting on the joy, connection, and empowerment found in our Bear’s Big Self-Management Skills (SMS) Adventure Days. This year, we’ve hosted three incredible picnics—each one a unique celebration of play, family togetherness, and the health rights of children.

🌳 Why Play Matters – Especially Together

Play isn’t just fun—it’s fundamental. For kinship care families, these Adventure Days offer a rare and precious opportunity to play together, away from daily pressures. Whether it’s scavenger hunts, creative crafts, or self-management games, each activity is designed to support emotional wellbeing, confidence, and connection.

Families have told us how much they value these moments—where children can be children, carers can relax, and everyone feels included and supported.

🧺 Highlights from Bear’s Big Adventures

🐣 Bear’s EGGcellent Picnic at Culzean Castle
Children created their own “EGGcellent Eggs” filled with things that make them feel good, reinforcing positive thinking and self-awareness.

“Usually, when you go out, you hear children shouting ‘Mum’ or ‘Dad.’ Not here. You hear ‘Gran,’ ‘Grandpa,’ ‘Auntie,’ ‘Uncle.’ It really makes you feel like you aren’t alone.” – Kinship Carer

🫧 Bear’s BUBBLETASTIC Picnic at Glasgow Science Centre
Children practiced “bubble breathing” using bubble trumpets—a gentle technique to manage emotions.

“Days like today are really important because I get to meet kids who are just like me!” – Effie-May, Young Participant

🏰 Bear’s CASTLETASTIC Picnic at Stirling Castle
Families created Health Rights Defenders Shields with messages like “I have the right to be safe.” Sir Bob the Knight became a symbol of courage and children’s voices.

“It was just amazing to see my grandkids running around, laughing, and being part of something so special.” – Kinship Carer

🛡️ Building Skills for Life

At the heart of each picnic is our commitment to Self-Management Skills (SMS). Through playful learning, children explore ways to manage their health, emotions, and relationships. These activities help children build resilience and understand their RIGHT TO FUN, RIGHT TO BE HEARD, and RIGHT TO HEALTH—all part of the My Health, My Rights Charter.

💬 A Word from Helen Bauld

“When families play together, they have more than just fun—they’re defending their right to the best possible health. These days give families a chance to relax, have fun, be together, and meet others who understand them. As Effie-May says in one of our videos, it shows that they aren’t alone. We wouldn’t be able to do these days without the support of our funders. Our Kinship Care Families are telling us time and time again how much they need these days—and we’re listening. We’re already looking forward to our fourth picnic with Dynamic Earth in October, which is already at capacity. We’ve managed to get as many families on as we can.”

🏆 Recognition for Bear’s Big SMS Adventure Days

“We are absolutely thrilled to be a finalist in the ALLIANCE Self-Management Awards for Empowering Self-Management Project of the Year. These days are so special, and it’s wonderful to see them getting the acknowledgement they deserve.” – Michelle Wilson, Head of Children’s Services

🙏 Thank You to Our Funders

None of this would be possible without the generous support of our funders. We’re incredibly grateful to ALLIANCE Scotland, Cash For Kids, Dr Guthrie’s, and Children’s Aid for believing in the power of play and the importance of children’s health rights.

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📣 Want to get involved?

If you’re a Kinship Carer in Scotland and would like to know more about Bear’s Big SMS Adventure Days, please contact Niki at 📧 LAFS@childrenshealthscotland.org.

If you’re interested in partnering with us to host a Bear’s Big SMS Adventure Day in your community, we’d love to hear from you—reach out to Niki at the same email above.

 

A WORD FROM OUR FAMILIES

Why Are Children’s Health Rights Important?

Why Are Days Like Bear’s Picnic Important?