Sent on behalf of:

Abu Bah - Engagement Lead, Thamesmead Moorings
Khadijah Ahmed, Engagement Lead, Plumstead and Glyndon
Philip Connolly, Engagement Lead, Charlton
Rahman Famuditimi – Engagement Lead, Woolwich Common
Abu Siddiki – Engagement Lead, Woolwich Riverside
Louise Botfield – Engagement Lead, Sutcliffe Park (Page Estate)
Brenda Mason – Engagement Lead, Greenwich Peninsula (Caletock & Flamsteed Estates)

 

We would love to hear your stories, advice or tips – whether that’s something that’s helped you through this difficult time, a recipe you’ve enjoyed, ideas for things to do as a family, a new walk you’ve discovered or how you’ve adapted to an everchanging situation. Please reply to this email with any ideas!

 

As before, we would really like to encourage you to share the following information through:

1. friends or family who live in your area
2. local networks
3. neighbour or community groups you may be members of
4. with people who you come into regular contact with through your work or local groups

 

Top Tips Friday messages 14/05/2021

 

Thank you to all those who contributed and attended the Community Engagement Sharing Webinar last week – it was a hugely successful event, filled with inspirational stories and videos! It truly was a reflection of all the great hard work that everyone has achieved. We had almost 70 people in attendance, which is an amazing figure. We can’t wait to continue with all this fantastic work in communities!

 

The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is ‘Nature’ - being outdoors is known to improve our mental health and wellbeing. 45% of people felt that green spaces were vital for their mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic. While coronavirus restrictions are still in place, you could:

 

-          have a picnic in one of your local parks in a group of up to 6, or two households

-          join in one of our health walks

-          spend some time alone or with a friend taking photos of the nature all around us.

It’s important to look after our mental health, now more than ever. Live Well Greenwich’s ‘Look After You’ hub has lots of advice and support, whether you need a friendly chat, emotional support, or are struggling with day to day life and need help urgently.

 

 Firstly, we wish all who celebrate, a happy Eid Mubarak! We hope you have a blessed time with your friends, family, and loved ones.

Good Thinking has been working in partnership with Muslim communities, to create the Five Ways to Wellbeing and Islam, as recommended by the NHS.

You might find it useful to consider the following five steps to improve your mental health and wellbeing, as recommended by the NHS. These are also things which are encouraged in Islamic teachings. Click on each heading to find out more:

1. Connect with Allah and with people
2. Be physically active
3. Learn something new each day
4. Give to others
5. Pay attention to the present moment

For more information, videos from influential members of the Muslim community, and resources in different languages, visit Good Thinking.

 

With more things opening up and having a bit more freedom, it’s ok to feel low, anxious, concerned or frustrated. It’s a difficult time, and we may be facing new challenges every day.

It’s important to ask for help, and lots of support is available on Live Well Greenwich. There’s also advice for people who have, or care for someone with, a mental health problem, as well as advice for parents and carers.

Taking time to relax, connecting with others, limiting screen time, looking after your body and focusing on what you can control is all even more important than ever.

However, please don’t feel pressure to be ‘productive’ – doing things that relax you and you enjoy is key, whether that’s watching tv or films, reading or taking up a new hobby. Simply getting through the day is an achievement at the moment!

Live Well Greenwich’s ‘Look After You’ hub has lots more advice and support, whether you need a friendly chat, emotional support, or are struggling with day to day life and need help urgently.

 

With the Government announcing its new roadmap out of lockdown, there is now a light at the end of the tunnel for things to hopefully re-open slowly. Outdoor sports such as golf, tennis or basketball are now open, as well as indoor leisure centres and gyms.

It’s still very important to follow the guidelines to stop the spread of coronavirus – remember ‘hands, face, space, fresh air’.

Greenwich has lots of parks and open spaces to make the most of when you do go out. Just remember to stay local (within walking distance) and keep at least 2 metres from those not in your household. Visit Walking for Health to download some local maps of walks to try.

Live Well Greenwich also has lots of information, ideas and support to help you look after your body and mind – which is even more important at the moment.

 

Although it’s an extremely difficult time at the moment, we can get through this together and it’s important we find whatever way we can to do that.  Thank you to everyone who’s already emailed their stories, we hope you enoyed reading them.

We’d love to hear from more of you – whether that’s any positive stories you have from the last few months, tips and ideas on keeping busy, any recipes you’ve enjoyed, walks you’ve discovered, or a nice photo you’ve taken! 

 

The community working in partnership with the Royal Borough of Greenwich Public Health.