The event provided an opportunity to showcase the academy’s newly opened facilities, highlight its inclusive approach to education and reinforce the importance of mental wellbeing and community support.

During the visit, Shirine and the board took a tour of the academy. They also joined the school’s ‘Time to Talk’ coffee meeting, an event designed to bring families together in a safe and welcoming space to encourage open and supportive conversations about mental health. 

Shirine Khoury-Haq said:
“Time to Talk Day is so important in opening up conversations around mental health to create safe spaces where we can all talk honestly about our experiences and feelings.

“With the world around us feeling both volatile and uncertain, I'm proud that our Co-op supports this day and this issue so powerfully. 

“Every day I take inspiration from our Co-op Academy schools and my visit to Brierley was no exception. It was a privilege to see our amazing pupils and the support that they receive from staff, parents and carers.

“The parents and carers Time to Talk coffee meeting felt like a uniquely supportive space where a community of people with shared experiences were able to safely discuss the joys, trials and the everyday of being in that caring role. Having safe spaces to talk like this can really help people connect, break down barriers and lessen a sense of loneliness or isolation.”

Co-op Academy Brierley’s Headteacher, Sarah Harridge, said:
"Shirine and the board were really interested in the adaptations we have made on-site to meet the needs of our learners and how we bespoke learning to meet children's individual needs.

“I shared with the board how complex our children and families' needs are and how the work of our family support and pastoral team is central to addressing issues around mental health and wellbeing for the whole family.

“Dropping into the parent ‘Time to Talk’ coffee meeting really highlighted the importance of bringing our families together to talk, enabling supportive and sharing conversations.”

Time to Talk Day, the UK’s biggest conversation about mental health, is supported by Co-op’s partnership with Mind, SAMH, and Inspire. The initiative encourages people to talk openly about mental health, support one another, and break down stigma.