wellspring, Author at Wellspring Therapy & Training

Kindness – Self-Care during COVID-19

May 22, 2020 By wellspring

As kindness is the theme of Mental Health Awareness week, now seems a good time to revisit this quality.

We all know what kindness is, and how transformative it can feel to be on the receiving end of thoughtfulness, consideration, inclusion and care. When someone has time for us, has thought about what we need, or might appreciate, it builds relationships. We often respond to kindness from others with warmth and gratitude. We also feel touched by the kindness we see displayed, by truly caring professionals as well as our friends, neighbours, families and loved ones. This is a quality we try to hold right at the centre when counselling, it draws people in and makes them feel special.

Kindness is a superpower. It is by definition freely given. It improves both our mental and physical health.

Now, more than ever, we all need kindness. In uncertainty and troubles, a simple act of kindness can transform how we feel, and make us better able to face reality.

Kindness really is like magic; because it works well to either give or receive it. What act of kindness can you show yourself today? And what can you give to others, however small, in the spirit of kindness?

actionforhappiness.org

www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/52557800

Written by Alex Brook-Dobson

See our Resources page for more support and links.

Whilst our building is currently closed for face-to-face counselling until further notice, we are still offering sessions over the phone or through Zoom. Please note, however, that we have a reduced capacity at the moment. If you would like to refer yourself for counselling, please use the contact details at the bottom of the page.

Vacancy: Schools Counsellor (Maternity cover) 14 hours per week

May 22, 2020 By wellspring

Wellspring is a charity based in Starbeck, North Yorkshire that offers affordable counselling and training to adults and young people.

We are looking to recruit a qualified Counsellor to provide a school counselling service (maternity cover) at St John Fisher School, Harrogate. The role includes offering individual counselling sessions to students, being a resource to staff and taking part in school Wellbeing activities. This post is an exciting opportunity to join a supportive and dedicated team. If you are looking to make a real difference in the lives of young people in the Harrogate district, then this role could be for you!

14 hours per week, to be worked on two days (either Tue, Wed or Thu), term time only. Start date: 8 Sep 2020.

Please see the Job Description and Person Spec for more details. To request an application form please email jobs@wellspringtherapy.co.uk .

Deadline for applications is noon on Mon 22 Jun 2020.
Interviews will be held in the week commencing 13 July 2020.

If you have any questions about the role, please call the office on 01423 881 881 and ask for Sarah James.

Join in our One-Day Lockdown Challenge

May 18, 2020 By wellspring

We’ve been so encouraged to see individuals and households taking on our Lockdown Challenge. Be inspired by their stories…

The idea for a Lockdown Challenge started with 13 year old Joe who decided he would stay awake to raise money for Wellspring for 24 hours. Jo aimed to raise £200 but due to his community’s generosity raised over £2000! Check out his video interview to find out more:

The James family did a Karaoke Marathon! Music and singing is something they love, and it’s also great for emotional well-being. They challenged themselves to sing karaoke constantly for 6 hours, and raised over £1000 for Wellspring!

Sue couldn’t celebrate her birthday by meeting for lunch or coffee with friends or going out anywhere, so instead she asked her friends to consider donating to the work of Wellspring. ‘Make my birthday one of the strangest but best yet’, she wrote on her Facebook Fundraiser. Her target was £300 but she ended up raising nearly £400.
We know that 2 of our supporters are planning to do a ‘Limericks in Lockdown’ challenge, where they do sponsored limerick-writing for 6 hours between them! Friends and family will also be able to request their own personalised limerick. We’ll be sharing their updates on our social media pages soon…

Will you get involved and raise vital funds for Wellspring Therapy & Training?

Like many other charities, the outbreak of COVID-19 has meant that we have had to cancel a lot of our fundraising events, which make our life-saving work possible. As well as this, we know there will be an increase in demand on our service as the nation’s mental health is put under pressure.

Could you help us to carry on making a difference at a time when our services are needed more than ever?

It only takes a few mins to set up a Facebook Fundraiser or Virgin Money Giving page. We’d love you to consider taking on a simple lockdown challenge at home for 6, 12, or 24 hours and ask your friends and family to sponsor you…

Stay home and stay awake for 24 hours!
Give up something unhealthy for 24 hours – whether it’s alcohol, sugary snacks, TV or some other comfort food.
Walk, run, do star jumps…. Staying physically fit also keeps us mentally well! Could you do 100 star-jumps every hour of the day? Or walk or run for 12-24 hours in your garden or round your neighbourhood in the space of 1 week? (Please just remember to follow government guidelines.)
Or be inspired by the stories we’ve shared, get creative and come up with your own one-day lockdown challenge!

Thank you for helping us to support people experiencing emotional distress, so that they can find new hope and healing. You can get in touch to tell us about your fun lockdown challenge ideas and activities at communications@wellspringtherapy.co.uk

Be in Nature

May 8, 2020 By wellspring

We all know intuitively that being in nature can help us feel better.

We probably all have views and places we go to enjoy the beauty of nature and create some calm and wellbeing; a walk in the woods, by the sea, up a hill or in the local park. We know it, and science backs this up. There is research to show that being outside can lower our blood pressure, enhance our immune system and reduce depression. It is a major source of stress reduction.

That’s all very well, but how can we access this key human need when we are in lockdown? We can’t drive to the beach, or meet friends for a walk in a beauty spot, or take children to zoos and farms and outdoor activity centres. Some of us may have a garden or live close to countryside and can get outside in it regularly. Try making that an everyday habit, observing the subtle changes as Mother Nature continues to roll out spring regardless of a pandemic.

But what if that is more difficult than usual, or indeed circumstances restrict it, how can we get more nature now?

What about opening a window, watching the birds, having a five minute pause to walk out of your house to experience the sun, rain or wind on your face. Take photos, look at wildflowers, learn which trees you are looking at, tend your garden or grow seeds. In addition we can surround ourselves with nature, in art, online or on TV, or listening to the sounds of nature on our phones. It all makes us calmer.

Why not try some of these resources and include more nature in your day?

getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk

rspb.org.uk for bird song identification

explore.org