Welcome from Councillor Barry Parsons
Our Cabinet Member for Organisational Development and Digital Transformation
Welcome to this special edition of Inside Devon to mark Mental Health Awareness Week.
"The theme this year – the power and potential of kindness - couldn’t be more relevant to the current situation we find ourselves in. As we all adjust to a very different way of living, being kind to each other and to ourselves has never been more important.
"Mental Health Foundation research shows that protecting our mental health is going to be central to our recovery from coronavirus. We all need to be aware that the psychological and social impacts are likely to outlast the physical symptoms of the virus and to find ways that help us cope with this devastating pandemic.
"Kindness is defined by doing something towards yourself and others, motivated by a genuine desire to make a positive difference. We know from the research that kindness and our mental health are deeply connected.
|
"Through kindness we can unlock our shared humanity. Kindness strengthens relationships, develops community connections and deepens solidarity. It is a cornerstone of our individual and collective mental health and something that all human beings need to experience.
"An antidote to isolation, kindness creates a sense of belonging. It helps reduce stress, brings a fresh perspective and deepens friendships
"During this period of social isolation I watched with admiration and filled with hope as one of the young people I foster was prepared to pick up and shelter a chick that had fallen from a tree and struggling to move. He nursed it for days, hand-feeding, building a nest and checking constantly. It was wonderful to see.
"I have seen many acts of kindness in my life, but in recent weeks I have been party to sharing of such acts that accumulate beyond all I have previously seen.
"Kindness sees no boundaries. It is the true wealth across generations, across groups, organisations, and across cultures. The County Council and its partners are no exception; indeed, the epitome of ‘kindness in action’. And it’s heartening to read that 92% of you, who filled out the recent staff survey, feel that our organisation is supporting you well.
"I hope you find inspiration in this special bulletin and take the time out to consider and practice the power of kindness.
"Thank you to one and all and for everything you are doing."
Barry
|
 |
Watch the one-minute video about why kindness matters most
We asked how you were feeling through the recent staff survey
Thank you to those who took the time to complete the survey.
This was the first opportunity to ask you how you feel the organisation and your local managers are supporting you, and where additional support is required. The survey received 427 responses. In summary:
- 92% of respondents feel that the organisation is supporting them enough
- 92% of respondents are in regular contact with their line manager
- If individuals feel they need additional support for their health and wellbeing, 92% of respondents feel they know where to find that support.
- When asked how they are currently feeling, over half of the respondents indicated feeling either positive or OK and hopeful. A further 20% felt OK but concerned and only 3% highlighted that they felt worried.
- When asked what the organisation is doing well, the responses can be categorised into good communication; signposting to information; having available technology to be able to continue with work; flexibility in the work and hours worked to allow for family needs.
Read the results in more detail on Inside Devon.
Your anonymous responses are being used to update our approach and resources to help and support you. Our leadership group will be discussing the results later this week.
|
 |
Connect with other people
Good relationships are important for your mental wellbeing.
The Ivybridge and Kingsbridge Community Health and Social Care Team shared with us how they are using technology in practice to support wellbeing and team communication.
- Virtual coffee break between friends within the team.
- WhatsApp friendship group for banter as you would in an office.
- Virtual supervision by the manager is key to address wellbeing issues and reflection of practice
- Daily Microsoft Teams calls led by the team manager.
More top tips for managers can be found on Inside Devon.
Do you still feel connected with your team?
If you need a bit more support or to connect with someone about how you are feeling, we have several options:
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – Our EAP is about putting your 'care first'; it's more than just counselling sessions and provides all staff, including managers, with some excellent resources. Getting in touch can help free up your time to focus on other things, reducing stress and anxiety.
Our Employee Assistance provider is hosting weekly webinars to provide support and information to those that may need it. Every Friday, Care first issue a new calendar with themes and webinars for the following week, which you will need to register to watch.
Access weekly webinars from our Employee Assistance Programme during May.
|
In addition, colleagues are providing alternatives for you:
 Take time out and think about your health and wellbeing through an HR-led session
Join two members of our HR Performance and Strategy team for an online session where you can take time out of your day to think about your health and wellbeing.
Due to the positive feedback from the first session, two further dates are
- Wednesday 27 May – 10.30am-midday
- Thursday 4 June – 10.30am-midday
Book your place on our DeL site.
 Take Notice (mindfulness)
Paying more attention to the present moment can improve your mental wellbeing. This includes your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you.
It’s important that we all look after ourselves, our families, and our wellbeing, and this is even more important during these extraordinary times. Please remember our Employee Assistance Programme offers confidential, impartial advice and support online and over the phone.
 How kind are you?
Take this Psychologies quiz to find out how kind you are.
Click to watch
TED Talk of the week: The Magic of Kindness
Orly Wahba promotes kindness in every form with this inspirational and moving 10-minute talk.
She is a gifted magician in the field of kindness and as a school teacher who wanted to make a real difference in her students’ lives she started a wave of pay-it-forward kindness.
Young people inspiring kindness
Young Devon's inspiring stories are just one of the many resources available to support young people and their carers through the coronavirus pandemic. Along with the blogs there's a useful resource hub COVID-19 Wellbeing Toolkit for tips, tricks and techniques for maintaining positive mental health during lockdown and beyond.
Kooth.com is free, safe and anonymous support for young people aged 11-18. Kooth provides a confidential way to share problems and help wellbeing and resilience online or via text.
*Space for young people is now providing digital youth work.
|
Self care kindness hub
Get inspired with stories, features and tips through these Inspire Kindness blogs.
 Give to others
Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.
Do you want to do something to show you care? There are lots of opportunities for you to make a difference to people’s lives; virtually through Devon Digital Lives, or in your local community.
Many of us are volunteering to offer practical, emotional and social support to neighbours, communities and the NHS, which is excellent, but we need to do so safely. The Government has published guidance on how to help safely.
Kindness Matters – what you can do
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.
Keep others in mind
Although carrying out good deeds for other people can make you feel good, don’t forget to keep in mind why you’re doing it – for their benefit, not yours.
Don’t overdo it
If you find that you are giving too much of yourself or have gone beyond your personal resources, think about taking a step back.
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." Aesop
Get involved with random acts of kindness or be inspired by these resources.
|
 Giving praise through Teams
We've found how to give praise in Microsoft Teams only recently; do you know how to?
Giving to charity
Many charities are facing financial difficulties and struggling to deliver much needed support to the most vulnerable and to our communities. Give As You Earn is an easy way to donate to the causes you care about straight from your pay.
|
