5 ways and me

5 ways and me

14 July 2020

Dr Dan wrote in our first article about how community is at the heart of everything we do, and last week more details were shared about the 5 ways to wellbeing work undertaken by Carol Hines with strategic school leaders locally. This strategy is not only for children and young people but for all of us. 

Indeed, the 5 ways to wellbeing are the scaffolding for all we at MindSpace Stamford do to build community. Whether this is connecting at tea and chat sessions, being active at yoga or boxing circuits, learning at the Recovery College, pausing to take notice on a walk or giving as one of our volunteers. 

While we cannot undertake our normal schedule of activities, I am continuing to use the 5 ways as I plan my days. 

Connecting and giving 

As we all are confined to our homes and following all the social isolation guidelines, every one of us will be reminded how precious and enjoyable were those times when we could sit and chat together in person. How I miss those drop-in sessions getting to know so many new people and sharing fun times together. In addition to joining our online drop-in sessions and having a virtual chat, I find myself resorting to different ways of connecting. With the younger members of the family, it’s all about using various technologies. That said, grandchildren under five don’t really want to be just chatting so we have been exchanging jokes, reading stories and even playing popular games. Last week, our 4-year old grandson was delighted to beat us three times in a row at Guess Who! However, not everybody uses these new tools and I have taken equal pleasure in rediscovering the art of letter writing as well as making so many more actual phone calls to friends and family who are not owners of smartphones. I always recall how much pleasure my mother used to get from reading and re-reading letters and postcards that she had received over the years. So, I am now putting pen to paper beyond the customary birthday cards. I’m hoping that the recipients get as much joy as I have had doing the writing! This is also one of my ways of giving to others. Remember, giving doesn’t have to be about material goods. 

Helen Howe, Chair of Trustees

This was one of a series of MindSpace articles published in The Stamford Mercury during the Coronavirus lockdown.