At Cup-O-T: Wellness and Therapy Services, we’re passionate about supporting young people’s mental health — especially during one of the most stressful times of the school year: exam season. That’s why we’re proud to be delivering our Exam Stress Workshops across Breckland, funded by the Breckland Youth Advisory Board (YAB).
This project is a direct response to what young people told the YAB during their 2023/24 consultations. One message came through loud and clear: exam stress is a big deal, and many young people feel they don’t get enough support before and during exams.
We listened. And we acted.
What Are the Exam Stress Workshops?
Between February and July 2025, we’re delivering interactive sessions for young people aged 15–18 in:
- Attleborough
- Dereham
- Swaffham
- Thetford
- Watton
Each town will host workshops in local secondary schools and community sessions to include home-educated young people. Our aim is to reach at least 50 young people — and give them practical tools to manage stress, boost wellbeing, and approach exams with confidence. We have exam stress study packs for those who can’t attend the sessions, which is jam packed with resources and goodies.
What Do the Sessions Cover?
Each session is packed with hands-on activities, group discussion, and creative resources. Topics include:
Balance: Create break activity cards and study playlists to keep stress in check and revision effective.
Understanding exam stress: What’s normal? When should I ask for help?
My study style: Discover how you learn best and how to structure revision in a way that works for you.
Support and study: Learn how to support each other through peer networks and buddy systems.
How Do We Know It’s Working?
We use a range of creative tools to measure the impact of the workshops, including:
- The Blob Tree: A visual way to reflect on how you’re feeling
- Graffiti whiteboards: A space for feedback and expression
- Confidence scales: To track how much young people feel they’ve gained from the session
- Follow-up surveys: To gather feedback from participants and wellbeing teams
Reaching More Young People
We’re working with local schools, wellbeing teams, GPs, social prescribers, youth organisations, and home education groups to make sure as many young people as possible know about these sessions.
Look out for posters, newsletter mentions, and social media posts — or drop us a message if you’d like to get involved or find out more.
Why This Matters
Exams can be tough — but no young person should face that pressure alone. By giving young people space to talk, learn, and connect with others, we’re not just helping them through a tricky time — we’re building confidence, resilience, and community.
A huge thank you to Breckland YAB for recognising this need and making the project possible. Together, we’re helping young people feel seen, supported, and stronger.