Our latest SMS:HUB was pure magic! Children and young people with health conditions joined us online for a wellbeing session inspired by Wicked the Musical, led by the amazing Active Learning Team from Wicked. It wasn’t just about fun—it was about building skills that help us manage our health and wellbeing every day.
From the moment we floated away in Glinda’s magical bubble, the theme was clear: nothing was going to bring us down. Together, we explored activities that connected creativity with self-care:
- Brewing Wellbeing Potions
Each ingredient represented something positive—gratitude, kindness, resilience. This simple exercise helped us think about what we need to feel strong and supported, a key part of self-management.
“I loved making my potion! Mine had happiness and courage in it because that helps me when I feel worried.” — Age 10 - Friendship and Connection
Wicked’s story reminds us how friendships can change our lives. We talked about what makes a good friend and how to ask for help when we need it—because managing health isn’t something we do alone.
“It was cool talking about friends. I wrote down that a good friend listens and makes you laugh.” — Age 12 - Stretching and Movement
Emily and Anna guided us through gentle stretches and a dance break. Movement is more than fun—it helps reduce stress, boost energy, and keep our bodies active, even when health conditions make exercise tricky.
“The stretches were my favourite bit! I’m going to do them before school now.” — Age 9 - Music and Mood
Humming tunes and dancing to Wicked’s iconic songs lifted our spirits. Music is a powerful tool for emotional regulation, helping us cope with anxiety and feel connected to joy.
“I can’t stop singing ‘Defying Gravity’ now! It makes me feel happy.” — Age 14
The session was full of laughter and curiosity (yes, we even asked if they’d met Ariana Grande!). With the new movie Wicked: For Good premiering on Friday 21 November, it felt extra special to peek behind the curtain into the world of Oz.
What is an SMS:HUB and Why Does It Matter?
SMS:HUBs are part of our Self-Management Skills (SMS) Programmes, designed to help children and young people with long-term health conditions build confidence and practical skills to manage their health and wellbeing. These sessions combine fun, creativity, and learning to make self-management engaging and accessible. By connecting with inspiring partners like Wicked, we create experiences that boost resilience, encourage independence, and remind young people that they are not alone on their journey.
Rhianne Forrest from Children’s Health Scotland shared:
We are so grateful to the Wicked Active Learning Team for their support of our SMS:HUB. We had a brilliant time with Anna and Emily! This partnership felt like such a perfect fit because it connects so well with the learning we’ve been doing with children and young people. Partners like Wicked mean we can provide magical experiences and create amazing memories for our young people.
Join Us on the Journey!
Want to learn more about our SMS:HUBs or find out how you can get involved?
👉 Visit https://www.childrenshealthscotland.org
👉 Follow us on social media and share the magic using #SMSHUB #HealthRightsAware #DefyingGravity
Together, we can help children and young people soar—because nothing should hold them down.
