Welcome to 2023! Where did 2022 go? This time of year can feel very overwhelming for some people, especially with the cold, short days and long nights as well as the post-Christmas/New Year fatigue.
In this latest wellbeing newsletter, we will be looking at different events that have happened since the start of the new academic year and ways to manage wellbeing post festive period and into the new year, when January and February can feel never-ending!
The Basildon centre held a Christmas nibbles get together on 14th December and the team contributed various delicious delights from Turkey, sage and shallot balls, to mince pies, lemon drizzle cake and a whole host of sandwiches and treats! There was lots of festive attire and donations made to St Luke’s Hospice and Save the Children. Here is a picture of the spread:
Back in September, Clacton held a Macmillan coffee morning which was a great success and chance to raise some money and have a get together with staff and learners etc. The event was organised by one of our CSA’s Hollie and a total of over £900 was raised! Well done Hollie and the Clacton team what a great event!
Planning an Event? If you have any events planned or coming up at your centre and you would like them promoted within the wellbeing newsletter, please let emma.crump@essex.gov.uk or emma.thomson@essex.gov.uk know.
Wellbeing initiatives for January:
The new year always brings with it new resolutions and challenges. Lynn at Working Well attended our last meeting and gave us an update on the incentives they are running throughout January. These included: The Big Team Challenge starting on the 16th January, Green Growth Competition – which is around recycling and energy saving. There were discussions that we could make this a competition between centres. There will be a 6 week self-care campaign launching in January and Lyn will continue to send out the weekly updates with information for sessions running in January. These are shared on the ACL Essex General chat and Tutor and LSA Tearoom every Monday by Emma Thomson. There will also be an update for the workplace working well champions in January.
Cost of living. With the continued worries of the cost of living we would like to reshare the ECC Cost of Living Guide for staff to access.
Food Banks:
Basildon centre will be collecting items for the local food banks in January and February. There will be a donation point in the centre for donations. Some of the key items are sanitary products, baby items such as wipes and on the Basildon food bank website, they are currently in need of long life UHT milk and tinned fish, meat (such as hot dogs/corned beef and tinned tomatoes. For more information here is the link for the Trussell Trust which lists all the food banks currently open in England – Find a Food Bank – The Trussell Trust
Colchester have also been collecting for the local food banks and we hope to have a donation point in all centres.
There are some National incentives running in January. These include Veganuary, Love your Liver and Dry January. Click the following links for more information:
• Veganuary 2023 | Home | The Go Vegan 31 Day Challenge
• Dry January | Alcohol Change UK
• Liver Conditions – British Liver Trust
• RED January (redtogether.co.uk)
• Walk your Dog month
Below is a calendar for January with some ideas for things to do daily in January that will benefit your wellbeing.
Mindfulness:
The mindfulness sessions are still running every Wednesday at 1pm, the numbers have been low so we are looking at changing this to a ‘wellbeing half hour’ and would welcome any ideas/suggestions people may have for this. Anyone is welcome to come and join in and we would love to see more of you there.
We are always looking for new members who might want to join the Working Well group and if anyone would like anymore information please contact emma.thomson@Essex.gov.uk or emma.crump@essex.gov.uk
Active Essex:
Active Essex run regular sessions online and you can find a timetable of their sessions at the following link – Workout Channel | Active Essex
To submit, photos, recipes, walking ideas or other suggestions please email emma.crump@essex.gov.uk or emma.thomson@essex.gov.uk who will share these onto the group.
You can view updates, newsletters and helpful information by visiting the Working Well page on the ACL Staff Portal, password: lifelonglearning
