CALM Programme

Hello Everyone,

This month we wanted to introduce you to a really lovely and exciting resource that Sarah has found out about.

Its called the "Footsteps Festival" and its an online, year long festival for people who live with persistent pain.

The organisers have put together loads of online events designed to increase the wellbeing of people with persistent pain and organised them into "Tents".

We’ve had a little browse around, and my top picks for upcoming events are:

In the Wellbeing tent, a workshop on the medicine of laughter (20th May)

In the "Into the Wild Tent" - a pet show/social (13th June)

In "Creative Corner" a workshop on Therapeutic knitting (2nd June)

In the "Street Kitchen" tent, a workshop on how to adapt cooking and make it easier on yourself when you have pain (4th June)

There are loads more events as well, and we would really encourage you to follow the link and have a browse around yourself, as there is probably something for everyone. You can also view recordings of events that have already happened if the information looks interesting. Just click on the link below.

My Live Well With Pain | Living Well Despite Your Pain | Home My Live Well with Pain us for people who are living with persistent pain. It’s completely free to use and full of trusted techniques that people have found useful in helping them get on with their lives – despite their pain.

This month, we’re thinking about crafting, and all of its benefits for wellbeing!

Did you know that there’s a growing body of research that craft activities can actually improve our physical and mental health? Some of the effects that have been seen include reduced blood pressure and heart rate, and positive impacts on memory.

Have a look at the picture for some more info on the positive effects of crafting, some ideas for things to try, and some suggestions about how to manage crafting with chronic pain.

Our challenges this month are:
1.) Work out your pacing baselines for any activity that you do sitting down, like knitting, or reading, watching TV or on the phone/computer. Then make sure that you take a short break or change of posture before your body has to tell you that it really needs one.
2.) Spring is the tine for seeds- plant a seed in a pot in your windowsill. Herbs and chillies can be great indoor plant, too.
3.) Take a look at this short introduction to decoupage, and then maybe revitalise a box, pot, frame or ornament in your own home:

https://youtu.be/W1kXtiO1b9A

Did you know that Adult Learning Lewisham are holding an online Open Day on Thurs 11th March from 10am? There’s lots of free taster sessions, including yoga, hair plaiting and hand reflexology.

For more information, check out:

Adult Learning Lewisham ALL VLE You can also contact the designated Safeguarding Officer by clicking on the green button below. Please be aware we will only respond if you are reporting a safeguarding concern.

This month our focus is on how we can help others to help us.
The key here is keeping the balance - being clear about our needs and the things that we want, whilst also recognising the feelings and needs of other people too.
When we show that we have tried to understand things from the other person's point of view, this can help them to engage with us. It also means that you can work on finding a solution that provides benefits to both of you. Please see the attached picture for suggestions.

This months challenges are:

• Check out the action for happiness calendar that for September is all about self care, and take at least one of the actions per week: https://www.actionforhappiness.org/calendars
• Check out this information about cookery courses running locally in Lewisham - that will include some online sessions going forward:http://beinspiredlewisham.org/Free-4-Week-Easy-Quick-and-Tasty-Community-Lewisham-cookery-clubs/. Or try a new autumn recipe; https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/healthy-autumn-recipes
• At the turn of the season, take a short walk in your local area or to your favourite park looking for the signs of autumn - might be the lovely golden low light in the evenings, the chestnuts growing on the horse chestnut tree, rosehips, red berries, the first leaves turning. You might even be able to see these things in your garden or from your window.