Dawn Howarth
Dawn Howarth and colleague, Laura Howard, have developed this website which is dedicated to bringing the practice of mindfulness to young people in Cornwall and beyond. The site is aimed at young people, parents, teachers and anyone interested in learning more about mindfulness.
Much of Dawn's childhood was spent simply and happily in Cornwall. She studied, travelled and worked away for many years then returned to Cornwall in 2001. Living in a remote wood with husband and young family she was inspired to work with children, focusing on their wellbeing. In 2010 she trained as a children's yoga teacher with the brilliant Calm For Kids organisation in London. Since then she has worked with schools across the county.
Teaching yoga led Dawn to appreciate just how hard many young people find it to relax. Relaxation is fundamental to physical and mental health. As a parent to teenagers she is aware of the cultural, social and academic pressures they face every day. She is also aware of research highlighting the increasing levels of depression, self-harm and mental illness among the UK’s young population. What can be done to help and support them?
While Dawn discovered mindfulness during her twenties, it was mindblowing. She felt liberated from circular thoughts and equipped with a practical way to restore internal balance, make better decisions and feel happier. Finding a way to live in your own head is an extraordinary gift. Perhaps she could share this with the young people she worked with?
She began to look at how I could bring more mindful practices into my yoga and discovered the global charity the Mindfulness in Schools Project. It requires all its teachers to have undertaken their own mindfulness training and have a proven practice. It was perfect for Dawn and in 2017 she trained to teach both the .b course for teenagers and the Paws b course for primary school children.
Dawn's own practices go back 20 years and are the foundation of all her teaching. She tries always to bring mindfulness to the classroom and embody it for the young people she teaches.
Since 2017 Dawn has been working in Cornish schools delivering mindfulness. It is a joy and a privilege to witness young people become empowered and inspired by what they learn and practise. Their testimonials say it all.
Dawn is also a trustee of a children’s charity and a local wildlife volunteer. Her other passion is pottery which is a messier kind of mindfulness.
As well as teaching Dawn has been a school governor for many years, has L3 safeguarding training, is fully insured with an enhanced disclosure DBS.
She is very proud to be part of the team awarded "Student Wellbeing Initiative of the Year" at the Cornwall Teacher Awards 2018.