Mental ill health and wellbeing

Choppy Waters Covid-19, changes in support needs and growing funding stresses Since 2014, Cohort 4 has operated across a small geographical region containing pockets of significant deprivation (Indices of Deprivation, 2019). We are within a mainly working class, predominantly white area in North of Warwickshire, a semi-rural, ex mining area where the closure of the pits decimated communities in the 1980s onwards. Public transport has been reduced from the outlying mining villages. Police stations, probation offices, social services and other statutory services have closed their buildings in semi-rural or small market town communities, moving to more centralised, large town locations.  All of this serves to disadvantage semi-rural communities. Larger charities and support services also locate themselves in large towns and…

DAY 3 – Mental Health Awareness Week – Kindness Maria writes. Firstly would like to thank my youngest for doing the painting today and her words – Love, Laugh and Live.  Today I decided to ask others who are close to me about acts of kindness, as follows: “Don’t matter how down you get my door is open to you” “My friend was sad so I talked to her and she said she felt better and that I am always kind” “My children telling me they love me” “Having a comment put on my facebook post after posting about our Safe and Well Project saying You are such a caring girl love you” “When checking in on people I support…

Maria writes, Waking up again to the sun and the birds gave me a great start to a busy day. Many online meetings today which has lifted me up seeing people’s faces and great to have a catch up. It’s very important to keep in touch with family, friends, colleagues etc. A 5 minute chat or to get things off your chest can make such a difference with your mental wellbeing. It’s also good to check up on people you haven’t spoken to in a while. Keep connected. Today my youngest 2 children have been kind and helped their eldest sister out with looking after her Pride and Joy, Brook the horse. Chloe is working 12-14 hours in shifts as…

Kindness Lives on It’s that time of the year when my bathroom plant sends me handfuls of pale pink flowers. Unremarkable, except this plant was grown for me from a cutting by my dear friend Joan in 1988.  Some 32 years later it still flourishes, reminding me of her love. Since then it has joined me in 5 house moves and continues to remind me of my friend. It forgives me, even when I don’t especially look after it, and is there when I need it most. Joan died in 1993, just four weeks after I gave birth to my first child. I still miss her. She was a woman in her 70s but so vibrant and caring, so funny…