It’s World Wellbeing Week, an opportunity to stop and reflect on how we can improve our sense of wellbeing, and how this can positively impact on our mental health.

The NHS advises that there are five steps we can take to keep our spirits up and maintain a sense of wellbeing. In this article, we want to share those five steps and provide suggestions on how the services at Southway can help you towards achieving them.

  • Connect

    Maintaining friendships and meeting new people are fantastic ways to keep us feeling happy and well. If you’d like to make more connections, why not come along to one of our many community events, which take place across the year? Or, if you’re over 50, our Peer Support Networks are a fantastic way to meet new people and create new social opportunities.

  • Be active

    Exercise is not just important for our physical health, but is vital to relieving stress and helping us to feel good. Being active doesn’t mean you have to run a 10k though - any physical activity that gets you out, about and moving will give you a boost. If you’re over 50, our Bowl & Plate sessions are the perfect opportunity to enjoy some light exercise and friendly competition. Or, stop by Burnage Community Centre, where you can wind down with yoga or get creative with cultural dance classes!

  • Keep learning

    It’s never too late to pick up new hobbies and skills. Whether it’s knitting, painting, a new language or an instrument, challenging yourself to learn something new can provide a sense of achievement and be a real confidence boost. If you’d like to learn something new, but aren’t sure on where to start, our TimeBank may be for you! Come along to one of our monthly meetings to learn new skills and make new friends. And why not take a look at the current Adult Learning sessions at local Community Centres and Hubs. Get in touch if you don't see the right opportunity for you - our employment team can help.

  • Give to others

    Acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can make a huge difference, both to ourselves and to other people. One way in which we can give to others is by volunteering for a community group or charity we care about. If you’re interested in volunteering, we have a number of community groups and projects, which thrive on the generosity of volunteers, including ‘Quids in Clubs’ and Westcroft Community Centre.

  • Be mindful

    Life can be hectic and it can be difficult to stop ourselves from worrying about our problems and responsibilities. Mindfulness is a practice which encourages us to let go of these worries and become completely engaged in our surroundings instead, helping to reduce our stress levels and give us a new perspective on life. If you feel you need help with disengaging from your worries, so that you can accomplish mindfulness, our Be Well service could provide the help you need.

Taking these steps is a great way to begin our journey towards greater wellbeing. If you would like more information on any of the services or groups listed above, click here to contact us, or message us via social media.

While a sense of wellbeing can have a positive impact on our mental health, there may be times when we need more support. If you find that you are struggling with your mental health, please make an appointment with your GP to get professional help. You can also click here for more advice and information.