Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 – Kindness & Celf-Able

by Julia Wilson, Celf-Able art group

When my colleague Jen Hawkins (PAVO Health & Care Information Officer) and I started planning how we would commemorate this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week - 18 – 24 May - a few months ago, the theme was Sleep.

Never in our worst nightmares did we imagine the unfolding scenario which is the Covid-19 pandemic.

So much has changed in such a short time over the past few weeks. One of the most inspiring outcomes, however, is the willingness people across Powys have shown to help others, to show love and compassion through the smallest acts of kindness in their local communities. This has shone through particularly through the work of the local Covid-19 support groups which have sprung up across Powys.

Fittingly, the charity which has hosted the annual Mental Health Awareness Week since 2000, the Mental Health Foundation, decided to change its theme this year to Kindness. The reason for the change is explained in more detail:

“We have chosen kindness because of its singular ability to unlock our shared humanity. Kindness strengthens relationships, develops community and deepens solidarity. It is a cornerstone of our individual and collective mental health. Wisdom from every culture across history recognises that kindness is something that all human beings need to experience and practise to be fully alive.

We also want to shine a light on the ways that kindness is already flowering at this time. We have seen it in the dancing eyes of 100-year-old Captain Tom Moore as he walked his garden to raise money for the NHS and in the mutual aid groups responding to local needs. We want that kindness to spread further in every community in the UK.

Finally, we want to use the week to explore the sort of society we would like to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic.” 

by Ann Jeeves, Celf-Able art group

Ann: "For family, friends and neighbours - asking if anything is needed, 

doing shopping, and giving CAKES. I am grateful."

We asked the North Powys arts and disability charity Celf-Able if its members, who are meeting through Zoom video conferences to continue activities, would like to celebrate the Kindness theme by creating artwork for the blog based on their own recent experiences of kindness.

Amanda Wells, one of the group’s volunteer co-ordinators, told us more about Celf-Able’s work and recent activity:

“Celf-Able is an art group in Montgomeryshire. We are run by disabled volunteers but the group is open to all ages and abilities. We normally hold meetings in Newtown, Welshpool, Machynlleth, Llanfair Caereinion and Caersws, one meeting per month in each. We hire meeting rooms and turn up with a car full of art materials and people can create whatever they like! We are not an art class, but we share skills with each other and learn and have fun creating together.

During lockdown we have been having weekly meetings on Zoom. Going online has been a steep learning curve but we are starting to get used to it now. One member volunteers to run an activity, based on things that people might have at home. 

by Amanda Wells, Celf-Able art group

Amanda: "My dog Alfie is very kind and affectionate and has always been there with a doggy cuddle when he has sensed that I'm distressed. I wouldn't be coping with lockdown without him." 

So far we have done zentangles, drawing faces, pencil drawing and creative writing, amongst others. It’s a chance to see other people while chatting and being creative. The Zoom meetings are open to anyone, just email us first at admin@celf-able.org to introduce yourself and get the joining instructions. Not all our members can attend on Zoom, so we are looking forward to life out of lockdown when we can get together and meet face-to-face again.” 

Celf-Able’s members are also considering a new initiative called Ffrindiau Celf / Art Friends – which by its very nature is intrinsically kind! They are currently circulating a survey to find out if people would be interested in having a befriender through art. The survey considers some of the benefits such as reducing isolation and loneliness, increasing confidence and improving mental and physical wellbeing, as well as learning new art skills.

You can read more about what members of Celf-Able have been doing in lockdown on the group’s own blog. 

Ann Conway, Celf-Able art group

Ann: "A phone call: 'Come to the door.' 

My god-daughter, with beautiful tulips for me. Such an act of kindness."

The Mental Health Foundation again 

“We think it could be the most important week we’ve hosted, not least because our own research shows that protecting our mental health is going to be central to us coping with and recovering from the coronavirus pandemic - with the psychological and social impacts likely to outlast the physical symptoms of the virus.

We know that one act of kindness can lead to many more. This is the type of community action that we need to inspire others as we discover our connection to each other and extend kindness to ourselves”. 

Sue Patch, Celf-Able art group

Sue: "During this lockdown I have been astounded at the kindness of people.
My lovely Mum died on 29 April and I have been overwhelmed by the messages
 I have received from people offering me support in words and virtual hugs.
People are kind all over the world."

We would love to hear about your own experiences of kindness, and how being the recipient of kindness has helped improved your mental wellbeing during Covid-19. Let us know in the comments box below, or on our Facebook or Twitter pages. Or you can email us at mentalhealth@pavo.org.uk

#KindnessMatters