Finding the positives in lockdown 3

Well here we are, three weeks into the toughest lockdown yet. The joy of online schooling is upon some of us, working from home is here again and its really cold. I try to be a positive soul, life is better with a smile but some days are just hard. I know compared to many we have it relatively easy but my god its hard going isn’t it. On the days I feel a bit glum about where we are, I try to find a positive, even the smallest thing can lift the lowest of moods. Here are the things I have found good in this trying time.

Blue sky is beautiful -when I see it, its lovely. Just look up.

·     Spring is struggling to get through, I know its early but I love to see a daffodil or two, this year, spring can come as early as it wants!

Running / walking is actually making a difference to how I feel about the world. A few endorphins, a bit of fresh air, a chance to get out and just breathe – who knew it could be so lovely.

·     TV really is very good – I’d recommend Queens Gambit and Bridgerton on Netflix or Hustle on IPlayer – so good and an escape from the news.

·    Reading is lifting my spirits, I got books for Christmas and have started reading Tom Allen’s autobiography. When you have time, it doesn’t feel so bad to take an hour to read – what a treat! Yes I read in bed so I have been in bed with Tom Allen!  

 I I love sleeping, to my friends this is no surprise. To be able to sleep well is a godsend. I’ve had some worrisome nights so the nights that are sound are a wonder.

·    Reconnecting with oldy friends has been great, we have a Whatsapp group where we laugh, moan, send a lot of Gif’s and share the rollercoaster of this lockdown. I cannot value the strength in these relationships more. Keeping in touch with people even if it’s not in real life has been a big help to me.

·      Cooking – it’s all about food in our house, I’m not exactly a chef but cooking and eating together has been great. Not without incident but great.

·     Find an app – Action for Happiness gives me a little quote and boost every day. Some are more relevant that other but a pick me up none the less.

·      Happiful. What a revelation! It’s a brilliant online publication, the content is great and has helped me to understand my mind.

The link below may just help get you helping your own wellbeing. Mind are a wonderful charity, could the 5 ways to wellbeing be what you need?

https://www.mind.org.uk/workplace/mental-health-at-work/taking-care-of-yourself/five-ways-to-wellbeing/

 

Whatever gets you through, keep your body and mind well. We can do this.

Ingrid  x

We are CPD accredited!

 

Its been a bit of a mission over the past few months, the paperwork has been immense but rightly so!  But after a lot of form filling, we are delighted to say we have been awarded CPD accreditation but the CPD Standards Office for 4 of our bespoke Mental Health courses.

But what does this actually mean? We have provided information about the content of the courses to be analysed to ensure it meets the exacting standards. Many of our mental health trainers have been assessed to make sure they have the relevant training to deliver these courses and we have given information about how the content can be put into practice and followed up on.

This is so exciting for us! We have the chance to support so many more people with this accreditation and reach a wider market.

But what does bespoke mean in terms of our courses. These particular workshops and courses have been written by our CEO Danielle and cover a variety of areas, the details of the courses are below:

o   Mental Health During Covid-19 workshop

o   Youth Mental Health awareness workshop

o   Adult Mental Health awareness workshop

o   1 Day Adult Mental Health in the workplace workshop

 

These courses cover a wide range of subjects relating to Mental Health, the content can include the following:

•         The definition of Mental Health and Mental Ill health

•         Stress and how it affects individuals

•         The Mental Health Continuum – Case studies

·         The big4 – Causes of, recognition of signs and symptoms, treatment and barriers to recovery

·         Diagnosis - common mental health condition information for Anxiety, Eating disorders, Depression and Psychosis

·         Crisis – Self harm and Suicide

·         Recovery and what this looks like

·         Methods of support and how to access

Our approach to these courses is honest, personal and engaging. The courses do deal with hard subjects but the wellbeing of all our delegates is paramount and we always work hard to ensure everyone is comfortable with our content and delivery.

The value of these courses is immeasurable, to gain a wider understanding of mental health and mental ill-health to be able to support those around you especially at the moment is much needed. Whether you work with or you are worried about any children or young adults, you work in an office and feel your colleague is struggling or if you have concerns about a friend and don’t know how to help, we have a course that may be able to help.

Please do get in touch with us if you would like to know more about our CPD accredited bespoke Mental Health courses.

caroline@abclifesupport.co.uk

0800 0467 410

Wellbeing Survey

Wellbeing survey 

Introduction 

We are living through extraordinary times, 2020 is a challenge for all of us and is affected us all in different ways. 

ABC Life Support recently conducted a survey to gauge how everyone is feeling. Thank you to everyone who completed the survey, the honesty and responses really laid bare how this year is impacting on all of us.

We really wanted to find out how the lockdown, restrictions, health implications, work issues and general worry had affected you. What struck us was the breadth of concerns people have. From the loss of jobs, loss of freedom, concern for family members, the sense of isolation and the pressure of money worries. All of these can affect your mental health and how you deal with each issue or problem. The impact of the pandemic cannot be underestimated nor can the long term implications on the wellbeing of each of us. We may feel ok at this very moment but how will this affect you further down the line?

Results

Back in June during the first lockdown we ran a similar survey, the first question was “how are you feeling today?”. 70% of responses faired as OK with 30% responding negatively. We asked the same question again in October and the response was quite different. 37% of people said they were feeling good, 24% of people responded negatively, 35% said they felt ok. 

 

This was a much more positive view than we expected however compared to the answers in June it shows a marked change. While nearly a quarter of responders replied negatively, on the whole we understood that people felt ok (results primarily from early October).

When asked, how have you found the last 6 months? (April – October) the responses were really mixed which truly reflects the different situations people find themselves in. The key words which struck a chord with us were:

“Overwhelmed, emotionally destructive, tough mentally, I should be more productive, draining.” 

“Thankful, I’m doing more for others, trying to stay positive, grateful.”

How has the reduced human contact affected you? 

78% of responders have missed seeing people and the tactile element of life.

This is an alarming statistic, over three quarters of those asked were struggling with the lack of physical contact of others. Whether it be a handshake, a hug or just being around other people. We are about to come out of another lockdown, its dark earlier and the weather has turned more wintery, this all compounds the feeling of removal. 

In our June survey, we asked if people had been affected directly or indirectly by mental health issues, of those who responded, 76.5% said they had. Building on this information, we asked if people had sought Mental Health advice this year, from our survey we found that 49% of those who responded had. Nearly half of those who had responded. This too is quite a stark fact. Is it that Mental Health is discussed more and people feel more comfortable discussing it? We have no doubt that the pandemic has raised awareness of mental health and ill health.  

The sources of the mental health advice were varied, online was a major source of information (60%) from websites link Mind along with the NHS. It was reassuring to see that people were talking to friends and seeking help from their colleagues and work sources too. Talking to someone whether that be a friend or through work is the best first step and it appears that that has been the first port of call for many (26%). It was good to know that people had access to advice as a first step. 

We asked what people were looking forward to and unsurprising Christmas was a key feature (32%) however interestingly, being around people (32%) was equally as important. 5% of responses felt they had nothing to look forward to, 8% were looking forward to businesses and work returning to normal, 15% were looking forward to the situation improving. 

Having something to look forward to is so important, with empty calendars, lack of contact, the prospect of a celebration is such a key marker for us all.

Conclusion 

The results of the survey showed a mixed response and whilst we understand that this is primarily based upon the individual set of conditions that a person is living under and therefore perspectives, we know that people have more of an awareness of mental health including the thoughts, feelings and emotions that mental ill-health brings. Acknowledging and recognising how one is feeling in terms of the challenges that the current climate poses is key in terms of processing and although the experiences have been negative for some, by having the conversations, we hope that people understand and appreciate that they are not alone and that support is available. 

If you feel you need to seek Mental Health advice, there are people there to help you.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Crisis Line 111 Option 2

Samaritans         116123

Calm (for men)         0800 585 855

Papyrus Hope line (for young people) 0800 068 4141 

                07786 209 697

Halloween – 2020 style

 My kids love Halloween. Me, well not so much.  I honestly just don’t get it.

When I was little, way back in the 1980’s it really wasn’t a big deal. Maybe because we lived at the top of a hill so no one could face walking up to go trick or treating or whether it wasn’t really a thing, I don’t know. I remember my dad carving a turnip, no pumpkins were available then. Can you imagine how hard it is to carve a turnip to put a candle in it?! The smell of slightly smouldering root vegetable stays with me even now.

My children love it. They like the sweets (obviously), they like the pumpkin carving and they used to like the dressing up. Our road is always awash with trick or treaters and thanks to my lovely neighbour, my daughter has enjoyed going trick or treating or as I call it ‘sugar begging’. I will go along with it and put a pumpkin out but that’s as far as I can go.

In 2014, we all heard about the awful story of Claudia Winkleman’s daughter Matilda and her Halloween outfit which caught fire. She literally brushed against an open flame and the whole dress was alight resulting in terrible burns to her leg. A truly terrifying ordeal for all concerned. It did shock me that this could actually happen, no more shop bought costumes for us!

Since then, thanks to the efforts of Claudia, there are now much stricter rules on Halloween costumes and the speed at which they burn. Its worth checking that any costumes you buy have to comply with the EN71 European standard which tests for flammability along with choking, strangulation hazards and toxicity.

Thankfully there was someone on hand to help Matilda, she was in hospital for 3 weeks recovering from her burns.

This year its all looking very different, is trick or treating going to happen? Probably not. Is there going to be parties? I doubt it. Maybe next year will be the Halloween to end all Halloweens. Whatever you do, enjoy and be careful, I, however,  will be sitting in my darkened house eating all the kids sweets.

If you are worried that you wouldn’t know what to do in this situation, this video might just help stop your child being in the same position as Matilda.

 

https://youtu.be/xJBIjRPEfxo

 Ingrid

Featuring Amber the zombie bride 2018

Black History Month

 

October is Black History Month, a time to celebrate and raise awareness of the key people of colour who have influenced our society throughout history.

This month is not without controversy. Why should it be just one month a year? Surely this should be within our culture all year round, not just October?

This year seems to be more poignant, with the growth of the Black Lives Matter movement it feels like there is a step change in how we as a society view the historical impact of those of colour. I know I am more interested in finding out about the people behind the stories. Prior to watching Doctor Who, I didn’t know anything about Rosa Parks, much to my embarrassment. Why do we learn so much about the Tudors and the Romans without looking into the society around them? I wanted to find out more about what my children were being taught, having contact their school their teacher provided me with a great insight into what they learn about black history. There was more than I thought but could the curriculum have more black content? Yes.  

One area I thought was of interest was that A Level History students have been studying key black figures in History with a view to them creating short videos or presentations that can be shared with other year groups. This felt like a positive reaction to the demands placed on schools to do more. This isn’t just about black identity, its about us all having a more rounded view of who has influenced our society and not everyone who did that was white.

Could schools do more? Probably. We all learn history and as white people we can see ourselves in the people who are in the book, on the screen or in the story. Many young black children look at this information and ask why no one looks like them. Engaging children in history is hard, anything that makes this process easier must be a good thing. Having a more diverse range of people to learn about and having a wider representation in school can only be a good idea for our whole culture. 

In researching this blog post, I was pointed in the direction of the Black Curriculum Social Enterprise. A group of people who are educating the educators in what has happened in UK history.  The learning resources page had my attention for ages! An inspired idea to engage children of all ages and colours into learning about black history.

https://theblackcurriculum.com/

If you’re interested and want to find out more, there is plenty of information out there.

https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-milestones

http://www.pbs.org/black-culture/explore/10-black-history-little-known-facts/

Rosa Parks was a trailblazer who took a stand. Who else is out there who could inspire your imagination?

Ingrid x

How a little time can go along way

 

Its World Mental Health Day tomorrow, a day which in the past I have had some awareness of but this year it is much more prominent for a whole heap of reasons. 

The last year (especially the last 6 months of working with ABC) has opened my eyes to how wide ranging Mental Health challenges are from anxiety to depression and everything in between. Thankfully society is becoming more open minded to mental health and mental ill health and we are able to talk about these feelings much more openly.

Its become more apparent to me that people I know are having their own difficulties and dealing with them in different ways. When I think of my lovely friends, who I drink wine with, go running with, see on the school run and generally spend time with, many of them have had a 'wobble' or two. It can be caused by anything from dealing with troubled teens, big kids flying the nest, parents getting ill, grief or stress at work, we are all dealing with things all the time that affect our mental wellbeing. Its only when we recognise that this is really hard stuff, its a tricky time or we are in a challenged position that we can see its all around us and we are not on our own. I know I’ve tried to sort stuff out on my own, thought I was fine and only when I’ve voiced my worries, how’s its affecting me and how this was more than just a wobble that I was able to get the help I needed.

Getting help sounds drastic, “I don’t need therapy, I just need a lie in!” Help doesn’t always need to be a couch and a therapist. That help can come in all shapes and sizes. Just a phone call from a friend can alleviate how dark you’re feeling. Just knowing someone is there can be a bit of a lightbulb moment. My husband is really good at it. He calls people all the time. He listens, laughs, reassures and looks after his friends, a trait not always seen as a man thing but that’s a whole other blog post. He doesn’t have any training, he is just there.

Going to a walk with a friend, going for a coffee, going shopping – spending time with other people.  All of these things have been difficult to do recently but they definitely help. Not being afraid to ask them how they are. It’s a start. It can be scary and easier to ignore but that friend will feel like a weight has been lifted. 

I know I did. 

Ingrid

The wonderful charity Mind tweeted about this very recently. If need a little bit of guidance, here is a link to their tweet thread, its a start and it might just help. 

https://twitter.com/MindCharity/status/1313874390208196608

Toddlers and tea

Picture this………You are at your house on a fine autumnal day, you and a friend. Such is custom, you have made tea to have with your guest. Placing the two cups on the shelf, you settle down for a chat. Suddenly in slow motion, your 18 month old toddles over to the shelf and pulls the cups over. Hot tea spills over on to her chest and you hear the first gut wrenching scream…..What do you do? 

Interestingly this is a personal scenario that I share with all of my students when talking about burns. You see, it was my house, quite a few years ago now but a moment that sticks in my mind! It was my daughter who pulled the tea over her. Luckily for her, I was in a position to confidently deal with the situation using my first aid skills.   

The thing to think about when talking about this scenario is to firstly explain about accident prevention and child development. They go hand in hand and whilst working to promote the fantastic work of the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) it has become apparent that this kind of incident if frighteningly common. Here are some statistics* that you might not be aware of: 

·         More than 500 children under 5 are taken to hospital each week because of burns and scalds 

·         Kitchen equipment along with food and drink cause more than half of all burns and scalds that happen in the home 

·         Falls are the most common childhood accident and whilst most are harmless, a number can cause long term life changing consequences for children and their families 

·         Every year around 4, 400 children under 10 are injured and around 22 killed as car passengers on British Roads. 

*These statistics were sourced from capt.org.uk and their sister website; Making The Link 

In my particular situation, and it is a common thread that I hear when delivering accident prevention workshops, is that my daughter couldn’t reach that shelf a couple of weeks before! Children have fallen off of the bed because they suddenly learnt to roll over. Children have fallen down stairs because they have learnt to crawl. They have become interested in the world and everything in it! They want to taste everything, explore things with their mouths! And it all seems to happen so quickly and we only turned a way for a minute….a minute is often all it takes. The other overwhelming emotion that a parent feels is guilt. After all, it was my fault that the tea was there in the first place, if only I had put the cups up one shelf higher…if only, if only.  

Accident Prevention is about being aware of the different milestones that will come for a developing child and preparing for them. Take a look around your home, crawl on the floor as it helps you see the world from their point of view, it works! Think of everything that could be a potential hazard and guard against it. There is information around to help you achieve a sense of control over what is to come in regards to a child’s development, talk to your local children’s centre or health visitor about accident prevention. 

https://www.capt.org.uk/ have some amazing resources for parents and practitioners working within the Early Years sector and the Children’s Centres that we work with have had some amazing feedback with over 95% of people saying that they would adopt some of the measures in their own home and spread the word within their own social circle. It can be something as simple as telling their friends to run the cold tap first, and then top up with hot when running a child’s bath. 

We actively support the work that the national charity do and together we will be teaching frontline staff and practitioners in the field about Accident Prevention and First Aid which will include modules on how to deliver interactive and fun ways of getting the point across to parents. No scaremongering, no wrapping them up in cotton wool behaviours, just easy to remember tips on making a difference.  

So why the first aid? Well, you can do as much as you can in your own home, but there is a big world out there and you can’t prevent everything, especially outside of your own bubble……. 

My daughter was one of the lucky ones and this is where First Aid Training can truly make a difference. Because of my fast action, (I cooled her chest for 15 mins with cold running water using a shower head in the bath, whilst covering her head and back with a towel to ward off hypothermia!) she did not have to endure the repeated trips to the hospital for skin grafts, pain management or infection control and she was literally in and out of hospital to check for lowered oxygen saturation because of the cooling process. She was absolutely fine and for this I am proud of myself. 

 But let’s not forget…ultimately Prevention is better than cure.

Our upcoming courses are here!

https://www.facebook.com/events/750391682392783/

Danielle x