Woohoo......
We were delighted to be approved €2000 from the Community Mental Health Fund Small Grants Scheme earlier this year whereby we were able to implement tam building activities ( kayaking) , mindfulness sessions and an up cycling programme. Our proposal was developed in consultation with our young Womens wellbeing group (aged 18 - 28 ) based in New Ross + surrounding areas.
The essence of the project aimed to provide a space for connection, creative activity, movement and outdoors as well as mindfulness and personal reflection. We believe we meet these aims and more, See more on the activities, process and reflections below....
Sea Cave Kayaking Tour with The Irish Experience team building!
This was amazing the photos speak for themselves....
Mindfulness sessions with Amanda Nugent | Yama Wellness Centre July 2021
Up cycling Project | facilitated by Carmen Sanchez | Aug/ Sept 2021
Some context.....
This project links directly to the Healthy Ireland, Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing in that our proposed activities aim to enhance the young peoples capacity to improve their own health and wellbeing as well as exploring how this links to contributing to more healthier communities and global health. We believe that are work contributes to all Goals of the Framework,particularly goal number 1 & 4 , which in turn lead to reducing health inequalities and protects against threats to health and wellbeing - specifically isolation, stress and anxiety. We share the vision for a Healthy Wexford is where everyone can enjoy physical and mental health and wellbeing to their full potential, where wellbeing is valued and supported at every level of society and is everyone’s responsibility.
While this specific project is more strategically linked to priority 1 and 6 of the Healthy Wexford plan, it will also connect to priority 4 & 5 in the longest term.
Some reflections....
Did you enjoy this project ( mindfulness/ kayaking/ up cycling) ? Why ? What did you enjoy about it?
I loved this project from start to finish. Amanda's mindfulness classes are so good for our mental health and it was such a pleasure to be able to come straight from work to class and wind down. Our meditations really ease the mind and helps to destress from our daily routine and struggles. We are blessed to have such a great group of young women. Our upcycling classes were absolutely brilliant. Carmen is such an inspirational woman and we were very grateful to have the opportunity to work with her. She opens our minds to new ideas and teaches us to show our personalities through our work. Even though I couldn't attend kayaking this year I did go last year and what a blast we had. It was so fun and great to be able to have something to look forward to. I already can't wait for our next kayaking adventure!
I really enjoyed the up cycling as I love art and craft and upcycling I didn’t do the kayaking as I have a fear of water
Yes, this project has been beneficial for all members. It helped me develop skills and build relationships within my community! I enjoyed learning new things and being able to take time for myself and my wellbeing
Yes I definitely enjoyed these projects, i thought they gave us all a great idea of team work, and lots of positivity, the upcycling project really showed what an amazing bunch of people we all are and how hard work pays off!! I enjoyed meeting up and catching up after a hard year of being in lockdown it was nice to see familaofaces and catch up to do things we all enjoy.
Yes, I enjoyed this project. I participated in the upcycling. It was something different that I had never done before. I enjoyed learning new skills.
Yes was very nice to participate in differant activities I normally wouldn’t go for
I really enjoyed this project. The mindfulness sesssions with Amanda was really relaxing. The kayaking was fun and it felt like great exercise but you didnt need any level of fitness to participate. I felt like i gained alot of useful knowlege at the upcycling sessions and they gave me a chance to be creative
Yes, the mindfulness really makes you get in touch with your emotions and feelings and the upcycling was so relaxing for the mind and its great to see what you can do when you put your mind to it!
It was a good experience
What do you think these activities have to do with young Womens wellness?
It might help make more friends if they are shy or just get them out of there house
It gives me something to lool forward to and enjoy! It provides me with a support system and build relationships with with other young women withiny community. We do activities that we can enjoy and that helps us clear our minds l.
It allows us to put our minds to other stuff and focus so we are not negative, it allowes us to be peacefull and a stressfree life, each person worked on something different and we were more focused on other stuff, we get to talk to eachother
They build up young women’s confidence through learning new things.
Helps young women to communicate and do things that they might enjoy that they wouldn’t normally try
I think these activities helped promote positive wellbeing by giving people a space to meet others and work on projects by themself and with others.
They all teach us about everyday challenges that we face and helps us to cope, eg. Kayaking gets us in touch with nature. Mindfulness gets us intouch with ourselves and upcycling teaches us that we can do everything around the house when we put our minds to it
Taken minds off everything going true our head
Why are these types of projects important in the community ?
These projects are so important to all of us. They are important to both our mental and physical health. Especially during a worldwide pandemic where everything can be so overwhelming and people feel so isolated. It's something we all look forward to, from our wonderful leaders/tutors etc to just having a laugh and chats with each other.
People might enjoy them and have fun with them
There are many issues arising within our community with young people and this supports us for falling into these issues and helps us focus on our wellbeing and learn how important our wellbeing is and keeping it positive
Because doing activities can help your mental health,
They are important because they provide an outlet for young women to get together and engage in meaningful activities.
It’s important to have a support group where you can interact with other people and join differant activities without paying the full cost as some people couldn’t afford them
There are many issues arising within our community with young people and this supports us for falling into these issues and helps us focus on our wellbeing and learn how important our wellbeing is and keeping it positive
Because doing activities can help your mental health,
hey are important because they provide an outlet for young women to get together and engage in meaningful activities.
It’s important to have a support group where you can interact with other people and join differant activities without paying the full cost as some people couldn’t afford them
I think these projects are important because they give people a chance to get to know the peoole living around them. Projects like these could be used to improve the community
To help and teach us stuff and to keep us busy it also helps us to bond with eachother as a group
To bring people together and been active