A Champion of Wellbeing and Relaxation at RGS Worcester
RGS Worcester is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of Mr Richard Willis, our highly respected Physics teacher and Relaxation Coach. Mr Willis has made a significant impact both within and beyond our School community through his work in helping people manage sleep, stress, and anxiety. Over his two decades in education, Mr Willis has empowered countless individuals to lead more relaxed and fulfilling lives. His contributions extend further through meditation and relaxation offerings on his YouTube channel, where he shares techniques to help people improve their wellbeing.
Mr Willis’ impressive work has recently gained international recognition from Insight Timer, the world’s largest meditation and conscious community, having 27 million members worldwide. His profile was prominently featured on the app’s homepage for an entire week, offering him exposure to thousands of new meditators. Insight Timer praised Mr Willis’ “profound contributions and unwavering dedication”, noting how his content has significantly enriched their global community. This well-deserved recognition displays his passion for helping others, and it opens new opportunities for more people to benefit from his expertise.
At RGS Worcester, Mr Willis’ role is integral to our wider Pastoral Care efforts. We understand that academic success is closely linked to emotional wellbeing, and we are committed to meeting the holistic needs of each pupil. Our comprehensive provision is designed to support our pupils’ mental health, equipping them with valuable life skills that will serve them well both during their school years and beyond.
Under Mr Willis’ guidance, RGS offers Relaxation sessions for pupils seeking strategies to cope with stress and anxiety. These sessions, available through weekly group workshops or tailored one-to-one sessions provide pupils with practical tools to manage their mental and emotional wellbeing. Relaxation sessions are coordinated with the wider Pastoral team and parents, ensuring that each pupil receives personalised and effective support.
Our commitment to pupil wellbeing extends beyond Relaxation sessions. RGS provides several dedicated wellbeing spaces for pupils to access throughout the day, allowing them to take time for themselves when needed. These include our specialised Relaxation Room in the Health Centre, which is staffed by two fully qualified nurses, Miss Nikky Gill and Mrs Nicky Gardner, both of whom have experience in the NHS. Pupils can also visit the 1:1 counselling rooms, the fully supervised Welfare Room for lunchtime breaks, and the Wellbeing area in Whiteladies, overseen by Mrs Nicholls, Assistant Head, and the Counselling Team.
In addition, RGS takes pride in offering unique support initiatives such as our ‘Pets as Therapy’ programme, where a therapy dog is available to provide comfort and companionship to pupils. This, along with our dedicated Pastoral Team, ensures that we offer a nurturing environment that addresses both the emotional and physical needs of our pupils.
Our approach to Pastoral Care at RGS is built on the principle of treating each pupil as an individual. Working closely with outside agencies and integrating wellbeing into our PSHCE curriculum, we strive to create a supportive atmosphere where pupils feel safe and secure. We believe in guiding pupils to develop confidence, resilience, and self-belief, allowing them to thrive during their time at RGS and beyond.
Mr Willis’ contribution to this programme is a testament to the importance we place on mental health and wellbeing at RGS Worcester. His expertise and dedication are helping to shape a caring, supportive community where our pupils can flourish, both academically and personally. With Richard’s continued work and recent recognition by Insight Timer, we are excited to see how his contributions will further enhance the wellbeing and support of our pupils.
