Mental Health Matters

Mental Health Matters - Jo Loach

Christmas..

This word can evoke all manner of thoughts and feelings, not all of which are sparkly and fun. Amidst a world seemingly full of chaos, uncertainty and situations beyond our control, Christmas can remind us to refocus on what is within our control, what really matters and is worthy of celebration.

For example, with shops awash with all things Christmas from as early as August, there can be pressure to spend more than is manageable especially given existing difficulties with the cost of living. If we pause on the approach to Christmas, we can consider how we want to celebrate, who with and set an affordable budget. In doing so, instead of being passively carried along, we can retain responsibility for making active choices to celebrate the season. Christmas doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. With forethought and planning, it is possible to keep things simple, be extra creative and still retain its spirit and meaning. Whether you believe in the Christ that the season represents, or not, Christmas reminds us to see, care for, support and look after one another with sincerity and generosity, for in these difficult times, our greatest strength and support, remains each other.

CLAIRE’S

CAT SITTING Stotfold based cat sitting service Now in our 10th year!

Your cats looked after in your own home while you are away, giving you complete peace of This seems even more pertinent in the face of escalating anxiety following the Pandemic, mind.I am fully insured & can numerous natural and manmade tragedies the world over and all the ordinary life feed your cats once or twice a challenges. However, Christmas invites us to balance and lighten the stresses of life by day. Other also b small e cate animals red for. can com play ing together games, take (minus winter restric walks, tions have of recent fun and c years) t elebrate o e all at, talk that is , listen, be, still good.

Please call Claire Jo Loach is a BACP accredited Counsellor and Supervisor, with an MA in 07984 344 997 Contemporary Therapeutic Counselling and over thirteen years counselling experience. You can contact her at jo.loach@gmail.com

Stotfold & Astwick Neighbourhood Plan

The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group have been writing here regularly, developing a Neighbourhood Plan for Stotfold and Astwick. I wanted to give my perspective as a new member of the group. I’m a parent of two young kids, fairly new to Stotfold and, despite the eternal tiredness from two children under three, I wanted to get involved in the group because these plans are genuinely useful documents in helping to shape the future of our town.

These plans can help shape future development in Stotfold to make sure our community, our excellent green spaces and parks, services such as schools and healthcare benefit or are protected from the housing development that’s going to continue to come our way. They’re not there to stop homes being built, but can make sure we get the right homes built in the right places that also help fund the aspects of our community we most highly value. My interest is thinking about how our Neighbourhood Plan can ensure my kids have the facilities and services they need in Stotfold and access to nature that my eldest loves. As someone whose day job relates to climate change, I want to make sure that Stotfold and Astwick are geared up to the changing climate and move to a low carbon future – such as more trees for better shading and ensuring only the most efficient homes are built locally. But that’s just my views.

Firstly, we need more people to join the steering group – it’s not a massive commitment and we need more help getting things going. If you’re involved in a local group, it would be great if we could come and speak to you about your priorities. And more generally, we have two important things coming up – a housing needs survey and a wider community survey. Both of them will help identify the priorities for the plan. Please do email stotfoldastwick.nhp@gmail.com, and look out for opportunities to involved. get

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