FOR the better part of 2019, both myself and my colleague Paula Martin had been working for the NHS Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital’s Community Rehab Team as Well-being Coaches.?

We had spent much of that year driving about Mid-Devon, visiting people in their homes or in surgeries, and supporting them to get the most out of their lives.?

Some were just feeling a little lost or lacking in self-confidence, others were living with lifelong conditions or disabilities, many were isolated or feeling lonely.?

Whatever the reason for the referral we sat down and listened, and worked alongside each person to find solutions that worked for them… From managing emotions better, navigating tricky relationships, joining a local group, taking up a new hobby or developing healthy habits; each person’s need was different. 

At the end of March 2020, we were both employed to build on this work by Mid-Devon PCN; the health care group that includes the medical practices of New Valley, Bow, Chiddenbrook, Witheridge, Wallingbrook and Cheriton Bishop and Teign Valley.

We were both really excited to start the new job: planning new projects and developing relationships with the fantastic local community and voluntary sector.?

Then, of-course, the lockdown happened and like everyone else we have had to find new ways of doing things. Like many of you I guess, we have quickly learnt to make good use of a popular video conferencing app! 

In the last couple of months, we have found the lockdown has negatively impacted many people. Many who were already socially isolated find themselves even more so, difficult relationships have become more strained and those with mental health concerns have found their worries often increasing.?

In response, we have been running weekly online social groups, mindfulness sessions and workshops on how to better manage emotions.? We have been encouraged by the number of people who have joined us in our weekly online forums and who have commented on how useful they have been to them.?  

Of course, some people can’t access the internet and so we also support people over the phone; listening and exploring ways to make the most of lockdown life and manage daily challenges.  

If you feel that you would benefit from the Mid-Devon Well-being service, then please do let your surgery know and we will make contact with you as soon as we can. 

Looking beyond the lockdown we are really keen to work alongside local groups to promote well-being across Mid Devon including developing hobby groups, support groups and befriending opportunities. We will also be running well-being events and workshops and from venues local to you, so do keep an eye out on notice boards and in the newspaper.

We have a Facebook page and we would love for you to “Like” and share our page: Mid Devon Well-being: https://www.facebook.com/middevonwellbeing/ .

Simon Bloomfield