The Bristol Wellbeing College has joined forces with the North Somerset Wellbeing Service to create a new online college for clients and learners during the coronavirus crisis.
College learners and clients from North Somerset are now being supported by email, telephone calls and new online resources including a new Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Sally Easton, the Bristol Wellbeing College manager, said:
“We’re contacting our learners to offer support. People are feeling isolated and vulnerable so this contact is vital.
“It’s great to be working with the North Somerset Wellbeing Service – we can now provide a greater range of material for our learners.”
Rachel Austin, the North Somerset Wellbeing Service’s manager, said:
“We’re so pleased to be joining forces with the Bristol Wellbeing College. This way we can reach more of our clients during the pandemic, and reach out further afield too.”
One Wellbeing College learner, Stacey, suffers with anxiety and has attended a number of courses. She is pleased the new online College is there to support her through the coronavirus lockdown:
“I’m trying arts and crafts and focusing on my wellbeing at the moment. It was wonderful to hear Nina’s voice when she called to tell me about the online college.
“I like listening to their mindfulness sessions. It’s comforting to hear someone else’s voice when you live alone.”
Andy, a client from North Somerset Wellbeing Service, said:
“It means so much to hear from Second Step at this difficult time, especially when I am feeling so alone. Even though the wellbeing groups can’t run, I still feel very supported. Offering virtual Wellbeing Cafes brings our community together, and helps us to feel connected, which is really important for my mental health and wellbeing right now. The YouTube channel is great! It’s nice to hear a familiar voice, and to watch tutorials to give me ideas of wellbeing activities I can try at home, while self-isolating.”
- The new online College and all the new online resources can be accessed here: https://www.second-step.co.uk/bristol-wellbeing-college/
- Bristol Wellbeing College live sessions (via Zoom) are accessible to enrolled learners of the college. To enrol you need to be a current client of Bristol Mental Health services – a partnership of 18 organisations offering mental health support in the city.
- The North Somerset Wellbeing Service online support includes mindfulness sessions, therapeutic art classes and a virtual wellbeing café. The service is still accepting new referrals in order to support people’s mental health and wellbeing at this challenging time.