20 July 2018

Parents Health and Wellbeing Group YPAS South Hub

Over the last 10 weeks, YPAS South Hub has been working alongside a local therapist, Paul Mc David, and The Community Health Ambassador Team. Delivering  Chi Gong, Mindfulness, tapping and meditation sessions, helping parents to learn more about themselves as a person not just a parent and partner, how to relax and different techniques to help them do that. They have been looking at reframing situations and looking to the future, including what they want to achieve in life.

The sessions have been successful, with the group even forming a WhatsApp group to support each other during the week.  The outcomes measures used at week 1, 5 and 10 show that the parent’s anxiety levels halved, with some of the parent’s depression levels lessening. This illustrates the success of the group, which YPAS are hoping to be able to continue in September so more parents can benefit from it.

One parent who attended said: ‘’Amazing and inspirational course. The Chi Gong is so relevant and relaxing. Innovative and creative approaches to key exercises e.g. Life line. All this has made a massive difference o e; learning to relax, develop self-worth, build resistance, plan for the future- a fantastic toolbox of coping strategies. Well put together by a well-experienced teacher. I fully recommend this course to anyone feeling frazzled and worn out.’’

Another said: ‘’I have really benefited from the wellbeing group and Chi Gong breathing which has helped me to relax and take better care of myself. I have met some great people and get so much support from the group. It has helped me to feel more positive and able to cope with my situation. Paul is inspirational and has given us so many techniques to help us cope with life, to take time out for ourselves and to learn to cope better with stress.’’