Hello Everyone –  Health benefits of weekends and rest..

Thank goodness it is Friday and the weekend is upon us.  As you know I love my job, the carers and the team but I do also love my weekends, I get to spend more time with my partner, my rosette winning handsome dog LOL and my mardy cat.  I also now spend time with my Dad and Mum, and  if I am lucky my hard working sister if she is not working then I get to catch up with her.  Sundays is the big walk, cooked veggie breakfast, gardening and hopefully something good on the telly, but most importantly I need rest, relaxation and downtime.

This got me thinking on what are the health benefits of weekends and how could I let carers know if they are able to have breaks, restful weekends, I say this as of course sometimes as a carer this might not be possible and how that could help with better emotional and physical wellbeing.

Next weeks Wellbeing Academy Activities & Highlights

Monday 9th May –

Therapy Day – 10am to 3pm

Shared Reading for Carers is a popular, fun group to help carers meet up and chat  – 11.15am to 12.15pm

Wednesday 11th May

Peer support group for carers of someone with Autism, Learning Disability, Physical Disability and/or behaviours that challenge 11am to 12.45pm

Friday 13th May

Friday Social Club – 2pm to 3pm via Zoom

The Tuesday Social Club is moving to Fridays as of next week, and this is allowing carers to have an end of week catch up and a look forward to the weekend vibe.  I am aware it is Friday the 13th and thought shall we discuss our best and worst Friday 13th stories – what do you think?

Check out the  https://ccth.org.uk/new/calendar/      The May 2022 timetable is now there as this will let you know our weekly activities’ and then email tony@ccth.org.uk for a place.

Information and Resources

• Tools and ideas for better wellbeing like relationships, nature, and creativity (Thrive LDN) and faith (Good Thinking)
• Resources about topics like trauma, anxiety, sleep, and low mood (Good Thinking)
• Starting a conversation about mental health and understanding how to help someone
• Free online resources from the NHS about drinking less
• Support for children and young people: information about services available in Tower Hamlets
• Support for adults: information about wellbeing and mental health in Tower Hamlets
  • Tower Hamlets Talking Therapies including Wellbeing Webinars
  • Suicide prevention hub including suicide bereavement support
  • Mental health crisis telephone line – 0800 073 0003 and Crisis cafe
  • Perinatal service and new support for people living through birth trauma and loss

Pleased to announce some more opportunities for Carers, thanks to Mr. P

Bethnal Green Nature Reserve, Middleton Street,

Bethnal Green, E2 9RR, London

Opening times  

We host weekly volunteer sessions each Saturday 11am – 1pm, 7th May till 10th December, 2022.

The Nature Reserve will be open for drop-in visits each Saturday 2pm – 4pm, 7th May till 10th December, 2022. No prior booking is required during this time.

Please get in touch if you would like more information when planning your visit – info@nomad.org.uk.

NIGHT OWLS

NEXT NIGHT OWLS: SATURDAY 4 JUNE 2022

Visitors will be welcomed from 18.30 to explore the museum and enjoy a selection of activities. There will also be the opportunity to discover selected special exhibitions at a reduced price.

Wherever possible, we will adjust operations and/or lower volumes on exhibits until 21.30.

click here for more details – https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/night-owls

Guildhall Library is open
10am – 4pm
Monday to Thursday

Please see the ‘Visit Guildhall Library’ page on our website https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/libraries/guildhall-library for more information and instructions on how to book a place.

Events & Exhibitions

Please download a copy of our May-August 2022 Events and Exhibitions brochure.
Bookings for May-August events via: http://ghlevents.eventbrite.co.uk

ONSITE EXHIITION: “The Cato Street Conspiracy: A Terrorist Plot in Georgian London”  – (please see info further below)

If you have any questions, please contact: guildhall.library@cityoflondon.gov.uk

The Carers Wellbeing Academy is looking to recruit a Support Worker

Do you want to be part of a team where you can support unpaid carers to better mental and physical wellbeing?

Do you have skills that can help a diverse community of carers to think about themselves, encourage them to get involved with a range of wellbeing activities such as exercise, Therapeutic treatments, counselling as well as creative activities?

Are you able to communicate with a broad range of people either written, verbally and face to face, and sometimes in a community language, are you able to keep excellent records, encourage participants to feedback their experiences and keep up to date records via our database?

Can you bring an ability to manage a variety of groups, make sure they have good attendance, encourage participants to attend on a regular basis and promote the activities to a variety of partner organisations?

We want you to uphold our policies and procedures, be part of our team and attend team meetings and contribute your thoughts, as well as be able to work flexibly both at the centre and in outreach settings.

You will be supported, line managed and supervised by the Carers Wellbeing Academy Manager and you can contribute to the direction and aims of the academy.

Please inform us if you need any reasonable adjustment when undertaking this recruitment process.

If this sounds like you then please click the link to apply and a Job Description and application form is available via the link

https://www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs/carers-wellbeing-academy-support-worker/825420?tsId=8

The job has gone live with a closing date of the 10th May 2022.

A carers guide to home fire safety

A new video resource has been launched on the London Fire Brigade website to help carers learn how to keep people that receive care safe from fire.

Sadly, around one third of those here who die or are severely injured by fire are in receipt of some form of care or support. If you are a formal (domiciliary care worker, support worker or clinician) or informal carer (family member, friend or neighbour) and are caring for someone in their own home, this new resource will help you identify fire risks and show you what you can do to reduce them. There is also more information available on the website around fire safety and prevention.

Watch the video >

ELOP’s LGBT+ Groups
Join our fun, friendly and non-judgemental safe space to meet new people and discuss LGBT+ topics!

LGBT+ Over 50 Social Group 
Every Monday 1.00 – 2.30pm, online 

LGBT+ Social Support Group 
Every Tuesday 7.00 – 8.30pm, online 

Stonewall – https://www.stonewall.org.uk/ 

LONDON Friend – https://londonfriend.org.uk/

WALKING ALONE? REMEMBER THESE 10 TIPS

1) Plan Your Route

Make sure you plan your route ahead of time. If you are walking in an area you are not familiar with, this can help keep you from getting lost. You will be able to walk with confidence. If you do get lost, don’t wander aimlessly, find a gas station, supermarket, or fast-food restaurant where you can ask for directions.

2) Make Sure Someone Else Knows Your Plans

Don’t go out when it is dark without telling someone, even if you are just taking the dogs out for a walk around your neighbourhood or walking home from a friend’s house nearby. It may seem paranoid, but in fact, knowing someone knows where you are can be reassuring and help you feel safe. If you fall and hurt yourself or run into trouble, and someone knows where you are, they can send help if you don’t arrive at your destination on time.

3) Always Carry Your Phone with You

Always carry your phone, but not for music or to make social calls as your walk. Your phone can be a lifeline if you see something suspicious or worse if something happens to you. Download a safety app on your phone, so you’ll be able to discreetly alert the authorities if you feel threatened or see something suspicious.

4) Avoid Suspicious People and Areas

Areas that are dark, deserted, or out-of-the-way, such as an alley or a parking lot, can be riskier than a well-lit area full of people. Stick to busy, lighted paths, to minimize the risks. Also, walk mainly in familiar places where you are known. That way, if you feel like a suspicious person is following you, you can always duck into a store you know or knock on a neighbour’s door. Avoid empty streets and pathways with thick shrubbery.

5) Keep Your Hands Free

Except for a flashlight and one of the items discussed below, keep your hands free. If you are carrying anything, put it all in one bag or backpack. This will make it easier for you to react if you notice someone following you. In a dangerous situation, carrying too many bags can keep you from moving as quickly as you can if your hands are free or if you only have one bag.

6) Carry a Non-Violent Deterrent

In addition to a flashlight, carry a non-violent deterrent such as a whistle, mace, or pepper spray. A whistle will help you alert others and call them to aid you if something is wrong. The loud noise may put off attackers, and they’ll move on to find someone else. Mace or pepper spray can give you enough time to evade a potential attacker, and in a pinch, a flashlight can be used as a weapon. Make sure you know how to use the mace or pepper spray to get its full effect.

7) Wear Reflective Clothing to Prevent Accidents

When it comes to personal safety, it’s not just about suspicious people. Areas with low visibility can be prone to accidents. Reflective clothing allows bikers and cars to see you as you walk along. A flashlight or headlight can also help drivers see you if there are dark stretches of road on your route.

8) Take a Self-Defence Class

When fighting off something as an assault, the element of surprise can work in your favour. If you regularly walk alone, take a self-defence class. You don’t have to become a black belt. In fact, it’s probably better to learn something like Krav Maga, which has been popular for self-defence. The idea is to disable your attacker enough for you to get to safety, and a class focused on self-defence will help give you those survival skills.

9) Remove Any Distractions

Keep your phone in your hand in case you need to hit the panic button on your safety app, but don’t let it distract you. When walking alone at night for exercise, music can be motivating and energizing but also distracting. You may not hear someone driving or walking up behind you. Avoid wearing headphones or talking on your phone as you walk.

10) Trust Your Gut

When walking alone at night, trust your gut. If you feel like an area or situation may be dangerous, don’t wait around to find out. Stop and scan your surroundings if you think someone is following you. If you are being followed, walk as quickly as you can to a well-lit public place. You can wait until you feel safe, or call a friend, a taxi, or an Uber to help you get safely get home at night.

Following these personal safety tips will help keep you stay safe when walking alone. Always be aware of where you are and alert to suspicious activity.