THE atmosphere inside Express Fitness Studio in Liguanea, St Andrew, was calm and reflective on Saturday as Wendy’s Jamaica treated wards of the Wortley Home for Girls to a yoga and wellness experience in observance of Child Month.

Welcomed by Wendy’s Jamaica Marketing Officer Abbion Robinson, the girls were eased into the morning through light icebreakers, conversation, and reflective moments designed to encourage connection and participation. What began with quiet introductions slowly gave way to a more relaxed atmosphere as the girls opened up and settled into the experience ahead.

As part of the morning’s activities, the girls were invited to introduce themselves and share a word describing how they hoped to feel by the end of the session, with responses ranging from “calm” and “free” to “relaxed” and “rejuvenated”.

Those intentions naturally carried into the yoga and wellness session in which the instructor guided the girls through stretching, breathing exercises, meditation, and beginner movement techniques designed to encourage focus, balance, and relaxation.

Following the workout, the girls gathered with Robinson for a brief check-in, and spoke about how they felt after the morning’s activities and revisited the words they shared at the start of the experience before settling in for a light lunch, which included Wendy’s crispy chicken sandwiches and fresh chicken Caesar salads.

Set against the backdrop of this year’s Child Month theme, ‘Prioritise Our Children’s Mental Health: Strong Minds, Safer Future,’ the activation emphasised the importance of creating spaces where children are encouraged to slow down, reset, and simply enjoy moments centred around themselves.

Themed ‘Calm Minds, Bright Futures’, the experience also continued Wendy’s Jamaica’s outreach efforts with care institutions through initiatives grounded in encouragement and meaningful support.

Speaking to the intention behind the activation, Robinson said the experience was designed to create a space where the girls could simply relax, recharge, and enjoy themselves.

“We wanted the girls to feel genuinely poured into in a way that went beyond the usual. Sometimes creating impact means giving young people the opportunity to step away from their everyday routine, try something new, and simply enjoy being present in a positive space,” said Robinson.

“Conversations surrounding wellness and mental health deserve more attention, especially during Child Month and at a time when many young people are preparing for exams and navigating different personal pressures. We wanted this experience to give the girls an opportunity to pause, reset, and enjoy a space that felt encouraging and centred around them.

“Building relationships with homes like Wortley is important to us at Wendy’s because it allows us to engage the girls in ways that feel personal, supportive, and memorable,” Robinson added.

House manager of the Wortley Home for Girls, Clerine Smith, welcomed the initiative and expressed appreciation for experiences that allow the girls to relax, connect, and enjoy positive spaces outside of their daily routine.

“The girls truly enjoyed themselves and appreciated the opportunity to try something different. Moments like these allow them to feel encouraged and build their confidence. We are grateful to Wendy’s Jamaica and everyone involved for creating such a thoughtful experience for the girls,” said Smith.

The day concluded with personalised care packages, complete with affirmation journals, wellness tokens, self-care items, and Wendy’s branded gifts. Local beauty and personal care Ayrtons Distributors also contributed body oils and body butters to the gift bags, adding another thoughtful touch to the experience.

The activity was one of several Child Month efforts supported across Restaurants of Jamaica’s brands throughout May, continuing the company’s focus on creating meaningful experiences for children and young people across Jamaica.

Wards of the Wortley Home for Girls take part in an interactive ice-breaker activity as they settle into Wendy’s Jamaica’s “Calm Minds, Bright Futures” yoga and wellness experience.