February is Heart Month, a time to raise awareness of heart health and encourage conversations about protecting our hearts.
This week, I had the real pleasure of visiting Southmoor Academy and The Link School to meet with school staff and discuss how Poppy’s Light Foundation can support young heart health initiatives during this important month and beyond.
Planning for Young Heart Health Initiatives
At Southmoor Academy, I met with Simon Wareham, Assistant Head Teacher and Deputy Safeguarding Lead, to plan our upcoming activities. These discussions focused on how the foundation can best support students, staff, and families in raising awareness of Inherited Cardiac Conditions (ICCs) and promoting a culture of heart health across the school.
At The Link School, I met with Clare Curry, PSHE Teacher, to plan small group work sessions and interactive initiatives. Together, we discussed ways to introduce heart health education that helps students understand how their heart feels in different situations and recognise when to share symptoms.
Supporting Young Cardiac Health
Poppy’s Light Foundation supports young cardiac health by raising awareness of ICCs, educating about heart health red flags, such as fainting or seizures during or following exercise, and funding psychological support for families affected by ICCs. These meetings ensure that our programs are delivered thoughtfully and safely, reaching students, staff, and families effectively.
Full Week of Year Group Heart Health Assemblies
We are excited to begin working with Southmoor Academy in April, where Poppy’s Light Foundation will be delivering a full week of year group assemblies, attending parents’ evenings throughout the summer term, and exploring staff training opportunities. These assemblies will ensure that heart health education reaches every student, helping build knowledge, awareness, and a culture of heart safety, a mission that feels especially important during Heart Month.
Interactive Heart Health at The Link School
At The Link School, planning is underway for small group work sessions starting in May, introducing students to heart health in an interactive way. These sessions will help students recognise how their heart responds to different situations and feel confident sharing symptoms, giving them practical skills to take care of their hearts.
Aligning with National Heart Health Goals
These initiatives align with national efforts to improve heart health, including the 10-Year Plan for Coronary Heart Disease, which emphasises prevention, early detection, and support for those affected by cardiac conditions. By working closely with school staff, Poppy’s Light Foundation ensures that heart health education is integrated thoughtfully and effectively across the school community.
Building a Culture of Heart Health
Introducing Poppy’s Light Foundation in schools is not just about raising awareness, it’s about building connections, promoting young heart health, and ensuring that Poppy’s light continues to shine, helping protect young lives.
I’m incredibly grateful to Simon Wareham, Clare Curry, and the staff at Southmoor Academy and The Link School for welcoming us and supporting our heart health mission.
This week has been yet another powerful reminder of why we started, and why we keep going. Thank you for helping us carry Poppy’s light and promote heart health forward.
Call to Action
If your school or community would like to learn more about heart health education, Inherited Cardiac Conditions (ICCs), or how Poppy’s Light Foundation can support students, staff, and families, please get in touch. Together, we can help more young people understand, protect, and care for their hearts, especially during Heart Month and beyond.
Read our blog, Early ICC Detection Saves Lives: Why Newborn Screening Must Change, to see how you can support.