Throughout November, male colleagues at Bristol Brunel Academy (BBA) embraced Movember, growing moustaches to shine a spotlight on men’s health issues, including testicular cancer, prostate cancer, and mental health.
This year, mental health took centre stage, as the BBA community honoured the memory of their late colleague, Ashley Jackson, by working to raise awareness and spark meaningful conversations.
To mark the end of Movember, BBA staff organised a powerful pop-up lesson addressing mental health in men.
At the end of Movember, staff staged a pop-up lesson for students that addressed mental health in men. As part of this, students watched a video emphasising the importance of talking. The video is hard hitting but has a very positive spin.
Parents and carers were also given the opportunity to view the video in advance, ensuring transparency and preparation for discussions at home.
Recognising the sensitivity of the topic, Year Teams at BBA provided additional support to students who may have found the material challenging. The lesson extended beyond the video, teaching students how to recognise signs of someone struggling and equipping them with practical tools to check in on friends and loved ones.
Staff at BBA sold 250 fake moustaches and could have sold double that amount. Students wore these throughout the day last Friday in support of Movember. Early estimates indicate that the initiative raised over £120, with all proceeds going to Off the Record, a local charity that supports mental health initiatives and was also supported by BBA last year.
James Ferguson, Associate Assistant Principal at Bristol Brunel Academy, said: “Movember is about more than moustaches; it’s about starting conversations that save lives.
“This year’s focus on mental health allowed us to engage students, parents, and staff in meaningful ways, promoting understanding and action.
“We are incredibly proud of the entire BBA community for coming together to raise awareness and support such an important cause.”
