Many parents worry about how to help their children manage anxiety, build confidence and cope with the pressures of modern life. For Wiltshire-based hypnotherapist and breathwork coach Viv Kenchington, those concerns inspired the creation of a unique membership designed to support children’s emotional wellbeing in a fun and engaging way.
The Calm Compass Club provides monthly audio stories, breathwork exercises, mindfulness activities and creative challenges aimed at helping children develop confidence, resilience and self-awareness.
Viv, who has worked as a therapist since 2007 and as a Solution-Focused Hypnotherapist since 2013, said the idea grew directly from conversations with families she supports.
“The Calm Compass Club grew from my work as a Solution-Focused Hypnotherapist and Breathwork Coach, where I regularly see how much pressure children are under in today’s busy world,” she explained.
“Many parents tell me their children struggle with worries, confidence, big emotions, sleep, or simply finding time to switch off.”
She wanted to create something families could access at home whenever they needed it.
“I wanted to create something affordable, accessible and enjoyable that families could use at home, whenever they needed it,” said Viv. “The Calm Compass Club combines everything I love about helping children – stories, creativity, imagination, mindfulness and emotional wellbeing – into one monthly membership.”
“My aim was to create a gentle space where children can develop confidence, resilience and calm, while having fun at the same time.”
The club is primarily aimed at children aged six to 12, although younger children often enjoy the stories with support from an adult and some older children benefit too.
“The stories are written to engage children’s imaginations, while the activities encourage creativity, self-reflection and emotional growth in a way that feels natural rather than educational,” said Viv. “Children often don’t realise they’re learning important emotional skills because they’re so busy enjoying the adventure.”
Drawing on years of experience helping both adults and children, Viv has carefully designed the resources using evidence-based wellbeing techniques.
“The stories, breathwork exercises and mindfulness activities within The Calm Compass Club are carefully designed using evidence-based principles that support relaxation, emotional regulation and confidence building,” she explained.
“They are not therapy sessions, but they are informed by the same understanding of how the brain responds to imagination, repetition, relaxation and positive focus.”
Each month’s content explores a different emotional theme, including confidence, resilience, kindness, focus, sleep and managing worries.
“Through immersive audio stories, calming breathing exercises, mindfulness activities and creative challenges, children learn practical ways to navigate everyday emotions and experiences,” said Viv. “The resources encourage children to slow down, use their imagination, build self-awareness and develop healthy coping strategies.”
Although delivered through an online members’ area, Viv is keen to emphasise that the club is designed to reduce screen time rather than increase it.
“The focus is very much on listening, creating and experiencing rather than staring at a screen,” she said. “The stories and breathing exercises are audio-based, while the accompanying activities encourage children to step away from devices, use their creativity and engage with the world around them.”
“In a time when many children spend significant amounts of time on screens, The Calm Compass Club offers families a refreshing opportunity to enjoy meaningful, screen-light moments together.”
Feedback from families has been particularly encouraging.
“Parents often tell me that The Calm Compass Club has become a calming part of their family routine,” said Viv. “I’ve received feedback from families who say their children feel more relaxed at bedtime, are talking more openly about their emotions and are using some of the breathing techniques when they feel worried or overwhelmed.”
One parent, Emily, said: “We’ve been members of The Calm Compass Club for a month now, and have already seen a shift in our daughter’s ability to zone down, regulate her feelings and develop positive thinking patterns.”
Children have also embraced the club’s imaginative adventures and creative activities, particularly the opportunity to create their own Calm Compass Explorer’s Log.
“My idea behind the Explorer’s Log was so that children could create their very own emotional regulating toolbox, something they can refer back to, be really proud of and track their own wins and superpowers,” explained Viv.
She also encourages parents and carers to get involved.
“Many families tell me that listening to the stories together creates valuable moments of connection that can be hard to find in busy family life,” she said. “The breathing exercises and mindfulness activities are beneficial for adults too, so parents often find themselves feeling calmer alongside their children – what a win-win!”
For Viv, helping children develop skills that will benefit them long into the future is the most rewarding aspect of the club.
“I love creating imaginative worlds and characters that capture children’s attention while gently weaving in messages of confidence, resilience, kindness and self-belief,” she said. “Hearing that a child has connected with a story, tried a breathing technique when they felt anxious, or felt proud of themselves for trying something new is incredibly special.”
Families can find out more about The Calm Compass Club and access a free children’s breathwork track at The Calm Compass Club. The monthly membership includes two therapeutic audio stories, a calming breathwork audio, mindfulness activities and creative printables designed to help children navigate emotions with calm, creativity and confidence.
