As part of our wellbeing initiative we held an Open Forum or Wellbeing Meet at back of the Church on Saturday 31 May. It was encouraging that most of those present were not members of the Church but represented various groups that meet on our premises as well as some interested individuals. All were both enthusiastic about what was going on and appreciative of the nature of community that we have within our buildings, a non judgemental community in which everybody matters. The Forum didn’t go according to plan, but gloriously so as people shared and were honest and open. Subjects like the well-known problems around young men - a group which has the highest suicide rate in the country - were discussed, and ideas came out of the whole meeting. There was particular focus on: the need for attention to the mental health agenda through things like counselling, life coaching, support through looking for work and the like The importance of, the therapeutic effect of, being in touch with nature through anything from gardening to walks and visits to gardens, wildlife reserves or the plain straightforward country A second meeting is planned to take place on Saturday 12 July in Meeting Room 1 from 10am to 12noon. which will focus on ‘opportunities to get into nature’. We will also consider ways of identifying and addressing other priorities: how to reach out to encourage people to participate in groups that maybe already exist, to help people know that they matter and would be welcomed. What stops people going to groups? how can we overcome this? So do come along on 12 July and bring your ideas! |