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Thursday, May 20, 2021

Newbury Weekly News

NEWBURY NEWS

Online help for mental health Recovery in Mind courses offer support in pandemic

Blenheim Palace reopens to visitors BLENHEIM Palace has opened its doors to visitors once again this week.

role into his later life. The stable block has also been transformed into an im- mersive experience showcas- ing the importance of horses at Blenheim through the cen- turies and visitors can at- tempt to ride side saddle. The display area also high- lights the key role the wider estate – including its ancient woodland, royal hunting lodge and Capability Brown land- scaped parkland – has played in its continued success. There is also a new art- themed restaurant. Visitor numbers are limited and admission is via online pre-booking only. Visit www.blenheimpalace. com/tickets

To mark its re-opening, the Oxfordshire UNESCO World Heritage Site is also unveiling two major new exhibitions. One examines the key role Blenheim played in the life of Winston Churchill, who was born at the stately home. Its rich military history provided huge inspiration for Churchill’s own career and he proposed to his wife Clemen- tine at Blenheim. Using a mix of historic arte- facts and new technology, the interactive exhibition follows Churchill from his childhood, through his military service, political career and wartime

By SARAH BOSLEY sarah.bosleyr@newburynews.co.uk @newsdesk_nwn

challenges. There are courses include how to manage anxiety, how to think more positively and how to learn to be kinder to yourself. The organisation said these were all very common issues which everyone can struggle to cope with at some point in their lives and especially now with having to cope in a global pandemic. It added that Covid has had a huge impact on everyone’s mental health and wellbeing and challenged everyone to their limits, affecting some more than others. The courses help people learn and self-manage their thoughts and feelings and find ways to cope with everyday challenges. If you or someone you know has been affected with low moods, wellbeing or mental health challenges then Recov- ery in Mind courses can help. It’s a free opportunity to learn how to re-educate your feelings so you learn to cope with life’s challenges again and lead a fulfilled life. For more information visit www.recoveryinmind.org No doctor’s referral is need- ed and course times and days can vary depending upon de- mand. All adults, aged 18 and above and living inWest Berk- shire, are welcome.

SINCE the pandemic hit last year, the team at Recovery in Mind – an organisation that helps people gain the tools and skills to improve their mental health through a range of free courses – have, like everyone, had to adapt how they work so they can continue to pro- vide support to all of their ongoing and new students. Hard work from the Recov- ery in Mind team, support from Greenham Trust and its Double Matched Day event, the public’s very generous donations and help from its wide range of supporters has meant the charity has been able to continue its courses since last autumn, as well as providing weekly newsletters to students. Prior to Covid, students were meeting weekly over a six-week period, but since last September the courses have been running online. Recovery in Mind found- er Angela Ryan and the team have had some great feedback from students and now plan to continue working this way in the future, as well as incorpo- rating face-to-face group work again once the Government permits. She said: “We have had to that champions the power of sport to tackle social issues, is distributing more than £4m in grants to support the vital role that grassroots sports clubs and organisations play in communities. Recent research indicates that 25 per cent of community clubs may not be able to reopen due to the devastating impact of Covid-19. In an attempt to prevent this, Made By Sport is offering unrestricted grants of £2,021 to those groups who do so much in communities to use sport as a vehicle for social good. The pandemic has exacerbated many health and social issues. Research from mental health charity YoungMinds found that 83 per cent of young people said the pandemic had affected their mental health, reporting issues with sleep, panic attacks and urges to self-harm. The #ClubsinCrisis fund,

New Winston Churchill waxwork

change our approach with teaching, but it has allowed us to grow and develop as a community organisation in a really positive way. “We are finding student retention has increased and from this we will continue to learn and develop Recovery in Mind’s approach to support- ing future students.” The team have now written and produced short online na- no-courses, which are avail- able to watch on the website and which aim to give people an insight into how the or- ganisation works and to help those who struggle with any mental health or wellbeing Angela Ryan, founder of Recovery in Mind

Grassroots sports funds available GRASSROOTS sports clubs and organisations in Berk- shire can apply for grants to help them bounce back from the pandemic through Made By Sport’s Clubs in Crisis fund. Made By Sport, a charity

Sport has a big role to play in reinvigorating communities

supported by the Cash4Clubs scheme, is now accepting applications and Made By Sport’s chief executive Sophie Mason urged clubs to apply. She said: “We’re delighted to be able to provide £4m worth of grants through our #ClubsinCrisis fund. “With sport returning, now is the time to invest in grassroots sports and give our young people the best opportunity to thrive. “Access to sport will provide them with more confidence, more resilience and better mental and physical health. “We believe funders and policy

makers should consider sport in a different context and Made By Sport will continue to lead the way in redefining what community sport can do as part of the national rebuild.” In order to be eligible, clubs must provide clear evidence of how they use sport to help young people develop life skills, employment opportunities, reduce crime and anti-social behaviour or tackle mental health issues. To apply, visit www. madebysport.com/ clubsincrisis by the deadline of Monday, May 24.