Mrs. Salony Priya , Founder and Director of Ummeed (Counselling and Consulting Services) conducted a special session on ‘The Art and Science of Parenting’ with the parents of the students from classes 2 to 5 of Birla High School, Kolkata. Ms. Farida, Headmistress Birla High school gave the opening remarks. Parents were sensitized in the various issues faced by children in the modern digital world along with effective remedies. The principle of proactive parenting discussed and parents were empowered to become positive role models for their children.

Shoumi, Parent of Arush of Class 3 says “I had a lot of take away points from the session, the session made me realize the things I was doing incorrectly and it guided me to work on them.”

Preeti Chaudhary, Parent of Vivan Chaudhary of Class 3 says “I truly liked the session and I learnt a lot from it.”

Founder and Director of Ummeed (Counselling and Consulting Services) Mrs. Salony Priya conducted an awareness session titled ‘Empowering Young Minds’ at Rammohan Mission High School, Kolkata with the students of Class 10 at the school auditorium on 4th of August 2023. The correct approach to make career decisions was explained and the students were made aware of the various opportunities and threats in this rapidly changing digital world. The foundational skills were shared and the importance of SQ and EQ were highlighted with a practical guide.

“I feel encouraged and more sure about myself. The guidance of Salony Ma’am was very helpful for me.” Sombuddha Das, Class 10.

“It was absolutely a wonderful session. Salony Priya Ma’am helped me a lot regarding time management and career guidance. It was a pleasure to be a part of this session.” Nikash Mondal, Class 10.

On 2nd of August 2023, Mrs. Salony Priya, Founder and Director of Ummeed Counselling and Consulting Services conducted a Proactive Parenting Session with the parents of the students of classes 9 and 10 of St. Lawrence High School, Kolkata, held at St. Xavier’s College auditorium.

Parenting explained as a process of mutual growth and defined as an artistic science and a scientific art. The importance of effective communication, principals for proactive parenting and various parenting styles discussed. Parents were guided in the Ummeed way of smart parenting.

FIGHT FEAR WITH FAITH

Umeed Foundation advocates good mental health practices for dealing and coping with life situations. On 1st August Mrs. Salony Priya, trustee Umeed foundation, Provided training and insight to Caregivers and Teachers on mental health awareness at Ek Prayaas Educational Society, in calcutta catering to underprivileged students .

The teachers were guided to manage distraction and low attention span in children , impact of excessive digital addiction in the post covid world, and handling aggressive outbursts, how they need to take care of their own emotional health, using simple relaxation techniques and "assertive self talk " were the highlights of the session, deeply valued by participants.

Salony mam said "In order to support children coming from abusive and neglected backgrounds, it's essential to provide calm , caring and supportive environment as caregivers, that would develop resilient adults.

The session encouraged the teachers to change their perspective towards stress and problems , rather empowered them to handle challenges with grit and faith.

Ummeed held a Parenting session in Delhi World Public School, Barasat on July 31st.

The parenting workshop highlighted the significance of Positive Parenting while dealing with children and adolescents. To effectively engage with the children, special focus was placed on a  Firm but not loud approach.

Feedback:

"It is the best session we have ever attended. It was educative and enriching. It made think. I am amazed as parenting was not even a topic for our parents." - Mr. Basu (Parent)

On 31st, two life skills sessions were held in Delhi World Public School, Barasat for children in grades 3 through 8, teaching them how to develop and follow Smart Goals. Ummeed Counsellors taught students study skills such as improving their memorisation and attention while also dealing with distractions. Emotional and social well-being is best improved when they are understood from childhood. Doting on this very idea, the children were also guided about how to deal with their emotions and the social skills which impact them. 

Feedbacks:

“I learnt many things today like – study skills, my main reasons why I get distracted, about smart goal, about FOCUS and about a game which I’ll play. Ummeed, Trina Ma’am, we love you soooooo much. Please come again. I loved these 2 hours.” - Stuti Das

“I learnt to control my distractions and it helps a lot. I can also relate to it a lot. I will use FOCUS and SMART goal setting. I enjoyed it a lot. ” - Devendra Shresth

“I really really liked the class. I enjoyed it. I am feeling very proud as I got a gift. I loved this class.” - Rajalohi Dey

“This class was my first counselling class and it was very nice and very enjoyable with friends and such a nice teacher.” - Rohan Roy

Teachers’ Feedback:

“It was an interactive session; Students have enjoyed the activities done. They have learnt life skills strategies like time management, mnemonics which hopefully they will apply in their work. It was a thought provoking session.” - Sanchari Ghosh, Deepsite Deb, Subhalina Hore

"Birla Education trust BET, Pilani entrusts Ummeed to conduct 75 hour extensive training for 40 educators and hostel caregivers for its 4 flagship institutions at Pilani namely:

Birla Public School, Pilani,

Birla Balika Vidyapeeth, Pilani

Birla School, Pilani and

Birla Shishu Vihar, Pilani.

An experiential learning platform with positive psychology approach to Adolescent behavior management with several case studies, buzz session, brainstorming and role plays was created on 29th and 30th July 2023

“My way and approach to deal with Boarding students have totally changed. I am now more understanding in dealing with them.Its a very high energy engaging session with Salony Ma’am.” Ms Nisha PGT Birla Balika Birla Balika Vidyapeeth Pilani Pilani.

"It was a wonderful opportunity for teachers specially boarding school pastoral care staff to attend first two days training on Basic Counselling Skill by Salony Priya Ma'am.

Some basic things which I would like to take away is active listening, Positive psychology, unconditional positive regard.Role play on Surangama was the new dimension added to it." - Alok Marwal, Birla Public School.

"A very interesting and engaging session conducted by Salony Priya Ma'am where we understood the basic skills of a counsellor which will help us evolve as a better teacher and human being to empathise with students and respond to the transition with calmness. Thanks a lot for guiding us.” - Tasneem Kausar, Birla School, Pilani.

The founder and director of Ummeed, Mrs. Salony Priya, led a session for the high school teachers at Army Public School in Kolkata on 27th July. The session emphasised the significance of psychology and its concepts, such as emotional quotient (EQ), empathy, observing, understanding, and listening, to effectively work with students to ensure their progress and well-being while also assisting the teachers in understanding the significance of their own mental health.   

Feedback:

"Ma'am is a wonderful speaker. Her presentation, interactive session has been very enriching, motivating, commendable and encouraging. Very encouraging and motivating. Would like to attend more such workshops to remain motivated, updated and energised. " - Anindita Datta, Teacher.

"Excellent person who makes the long sessions interesting. She makes people feel important, remembers their names and accepts their views." - Barnnale Bose Prasad, Teacher.

On 26th July Ms. Salony Priya addressed the students of Class IX & X, of St Lawrence High School, Kolkata. The session was not only insightful but also an eye opener for our students as they were made aware of the AI opportunities, the not so social , Social media, online world and its impact on social and emotional skills .

“I really had a wonderful experience from this session by Ummeed conducted in our school. The way Salony mam related her life with ours showed me that I am not the only one with the same problem and learnt a lot of things on safety and controlling one’s habit. I really look forward to more of this counselling informative session in the future.”-Student, Class IX

“ According to me it was a wonderful session. This one-and-a-half-hour session must have helped ourselves to figure out the devil amongst us or in our body. It helps us to realise that we can change ourselves the way we won’t. It also helped us to give or full potential in all circumstances. It was very informative and as well as interesting.”_ -Swarnim Ravi Class IX.

25th July a very enriching experience with bright students of Sushila Birla Girls School, Kolkata, on Gender sensitivity. Ummeed enables young adults to see the broad spectrum of gender roles, gender narratives depicting social prejudice and its impact on our lives.

"Very enlightening session. Not a chance to blink my eyes because salony Ma’am took all my attention well researched and engaging presentation, commendable. Please do more of such sessions. ”- class XII student, Sushila Birla Girls School.

“I am really honoured to be a part of your workshop. It was very effective and was an eye-opener for me. I also realised that how I was surrounded by so many social norms. This workshop really helped me and gave me and courage meant to change some of the social norms and also the society. I can now even be more open with my cousins about this topic and change their thoughts about the same.”-Student, Sushila Birla Girls School.