Quick adaptation
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RUTH BAKER, founder of Totnes’ The Nautilus Rooms has been rapidly adapting to running her therapeutic work in a new way, she wrote this for us as the centre readied to reopen.
HAT a time it has been since I last wrote. The Nautilus Rooms is largely a ‘mind’ based therapy centre specialising psychological therapies for people of all ages. As for all sectors it has been a steep learning curve for practitioners to move to online working. Sadly there are some people who have been unable to move continue their sessions on-line for a host of reasons including the particular need for privacy in the type of work we do. I have had a small on-line client base for many years as I have clients from around the world I find it to be a very effective way of working however there is an intensity to it for the practitioner which can be tiring. In the run up to lockdown we started to put The Nautilus Rooms to bed for an unspecified period. Little did we know how long that would be. I took the last plants out with a tear in my eye. It was clear to me how much life plants bring to a building. A lot of love has gone into Nautilus not just by Peter and myself but by all who use the rooms. So its wonderful we are now in the process of re-opening. Covid risk assessments have been completed, therapists and clients have been consulted about our plans for re-opening. Next week I will trial a face shields simply to find out how they feel. My thoughts are if we can adjust so rapidly to online working then face shields will also be a quick
adaptation if that is the route we finally go down. Ultimately it is about keeping everyone safe. Visitors will see some changes from the welcoming hand sanitiser at the entrance to greater distance between chairs. We are fortunate in having large rooms most with high ceilings and windows which open to aid airflow and social distancing. Clients and therapists will clearly choose how they wish to continue to work either in person or online. Ultimately how you access therapy has to be a good fit for you and your therapist. Fortuitously I had bought a beautiful bell tent last winter with a view to running some mindfulness / creative therapies in nature courses. I have begun to see some clients in this beautiful space with a wonderful view down the valley towards the edge of the moor. I sit with my clients watching the buzzards soar, the grasses move and nature unfold. It is a very enriching experience which deeply touches our therapeutic work. Lockdown has been a mixed experience. Some have revelled in the social isolation, a new simplicity to life, a new freedom, reduced choices and possibly less or no work. For others it has been deeply distressing experience; problems in relationships have been exacerbated and the demands of home working have been under acknowledged. That juggled with childcare has been very tough for many. Little has been written about the impact of homeworking. I have heard of many incidents of people working longer hours as a way of somehow justifying their working day. The lack of social contact – the chat as you make a coffee or simple hello as you pass in the corridor – the friendly face – someone interested in you – however brief. All these things break up the working day and bring a previously unknown pleasure to life. I read a report last week indicating productivity had increased since lockdown. All well and good – however if homeworking is to become a new normal we need to think carefully about our mental health, how we take breaks in the day and time for that simple chat.
Wellbeing outdoors finds funding
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EING out in nature can make us feel good, it’s instinctive. Many scientific studies have shown that connecting with nature and spending time in a woodland setting reduces stress, lowers anxiety, increases productivity, concentration and really does improve our overall mental health and wellbeing. This concept underpins the wellbeing services for children and families at Dartington’s Apricot Centre. Manager Rachel Phillips explained: “Nature connects us to our ancestry, humans are ‘hard-wired’ through evolution to hold an emotional and psychological attachment to nature. To find natural settings calming, peaceful and relaxing. At the centre we combine time in nature with practising skills such as mindfulness, traditional woodcraft and rural skills, foraging and identifying wild plants as well as farm based activities such as growing, harvesting and cooking organic fruit and veg. We believe that the mental and physical health benefits from carrying out these activities really go beyond what you’d get from just walking in the woods or a picnic in the meadow.” Rachel and her team based at Huxhams Cross Farm are celebrating the award of funding from The National Lottery Awards for All for their free Woodland Well-being Project. The project helps adopted and looked after young people and their families affected by issues from being adopted or looked after. It actively encourages them to reconnect with nature, find their voice, rediscover the art of play and become a part of a community of likeminded people whilst helping to improve physical, emotional and mental health. This is unlike traditional adoptive parenting support groups who do not work with the whole family to provide coping mechanisms that can be replicated at home or in a mainstream environment. Rachel said: “We have also been awarded a grant from Imagine This Partnerrship for our Free - Woodland Wellbeing Root to Rise Project using the Orchards at Lupton House we will use nature connection activities and therapeutic support to help prevent suicide in young people by helping bring people together and build strong relationships and mental wellbeing support through a range of therapeutics and nature based activities.” Their Farm Club starts again in September connecting children with nature, food & the farm. Children that attend the farm are encouraged to develop a passion for the environment through farm and woodland based activities including how to look after cows and chickens, the wildlife on a farm and about planting and harvesting fruit and vegetables. There’s a collection point at Dartington School and at the farm gates. £12 per child (includes collection from school) £10 per sibling for children aged 6+ years. l If you are interested in a place on any of these projects or would like to support in setting up more nature based workshops please contact Rachel on 07540445851 or rachelphillips@apricotcentre.co.uk
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