Mindful Moments:
Thistle Court Nursing Home recently helped to promote Mental Health Awareness Week (12th -18th May), by taking part in different activities which focused on wellbeing and mindfulness. The home’s Manager, Sarah Butfield encouraged team members to be involved and kick their morning off each day with a task that would help to reduce stress and centre around enhancing their mood, helping to set them up for a good day ahead of them.
Each morning started with team members given a card with a mindfulness task on it for them to complete; for example one of the tasks which Sarah can be seen taking part in from the images, involved having a moment to herself where she would clasp her hands together for 10 to 15 seconds and then once she would release them, she focused on the feelings and tension inside that you are letting go of. This task helped to not only relieve physical pressure and tension but also relieve stress and heaviness internally that we may be holding on to. Alongside this, throughout the week, team members took part in other activities such as silent walks, secret virtues and ‘mindfulness melting’, where they could take time to be sit back and relax for a moment with themselves. In addition to this, the team also were tasked with doing one anonymous act of kindness for someone else, to also uplift others mental health as well as their own.
Sarah’s Safe Space:
Moreover, the team at Thistle Court were also invited to enjoy refreshments and provided with the opportunity to have a one-to-one discussion with Sarah herself, as she opened up ‘Sarah’s safe space’, a place where members of the team could open up about any issues they may be facing both at home or any challenges they may be facing at work, that they would like to discuss with someone else and gain support for. In addition to this, Sarah had also was able to signpost team to helpful resources which may be of use, such as their in-house clothing and foodbanks, as well as local facilities available also. Finally, to show our support and recognition, our team members had dressed in green, (the colour synonymous of the campaign) as a sign of unity and advocacy, with Sarah saying that “the day was very positive and well received”.
Championing Welfare and Wellbeing with Evolve:
At Thistle Court, it is essential that not only our family members, but that our team members are able to feel supported, by recognising and taking part in campaigns such as this, our team are encouraged to be open and know that they are not alone, and we are always here to lighten their load, as a problem shared, truly is a problem halved. Thistle Court is part of the Evolve Care Group, and their overall ethos of connection, inclusivity and identity, takes a person-centred approach to the wellbeing of both our team and family members.
The group also has their own welfare team, who are available to offer their support, whether this is about your career or personal life, they allow our team and their issues to be heard and offer their guidance. The results speak for themselves, with one of our team members explaining how they have benefited from accessing the services that the team offer – “I feel less overwhelmed and it’s so helpful to vent sometimes”. Additional information about our welfare team can be found at: Cwmbran Care Home – Our Welfare Team.
If you would like to access support for any mental health issues you may be facing of your own, please feel free to use the resources available on our website : Cwmbran Care Home – Helpful Resource