Self-care actions are habits, practices and lifestyle choices – things that we can do to help look after ourselves and lead a healthier life. The World Health Organization has even recognised the importance of self-care, designating 24 July as ‘Self-Care Day’.
But of course, self-care is important every day of the year, and can be especially important for those who have survived a brain injury. We know that brain injury can trigger the development of mental health issues, but that self-care is a key ingredient for improving and maintaining mental health.
Here at Headway Bristol, we are focused on developing a caring environment, where all needs are respected. We aim to support our service users to learn about value of self-care and to help them discover activities that allow them to enjoy its benefits. Each month, Headway’s Activities Coordinator, Millie Holcombe, tailors a range of sessions with this focus in mind. She explained that:
“Self-care is a golden thread that runs quietly through our work: strengthening, connecting and guiding. Each activity is a way to gently invite new perspectives – fostering not only well-being, but the confidence to carry it forward. We aim to nurture interdependence, recognising that growth often begins with support, and that well-being flourishes best when shared.”
How we encourage self-care in our centres
Our reablement and well-being Centres in Barton Hill and Bradly Stoke are safe and supportive environments where survivors of brain injury can relax and catch up with friends.
Over the last month we’ve asked our service users to reflect on what wellbeing means to them, and they identified a huge range of activates, from fitness and nutrition, to social relationships and positivity.
In the centre, our varied programme gives service users the opportunity to dip their toe into the water and find out what works best for them. Recently, we have
- taken service users out on health walks and trips to places that might not otherwise be accessible to them, including Weston-super-Mare and the Bristol harbourside.
- regularly welcomed our guest Pilates instructor to run a seated Pilates class in our on-site exercise room.
- run sessions highlighting that many ultra-processed foods are high in calories, saturated fat, salt or sugar; we’ve also cooked healthy burritos with guacamole and black beans in our on-site kitchen
- supported services users to garden on the balcony at the Wellspring Settlement.
- run sessions focusing on mindfulness techniques, including body scans, colour meditations and arts and crafts.
What our service users say:
“I like the cooking – the risotto, smoothies and burritos have all been nice”
“I enjoy the gardening – the pleasure in getting things to grow, getting a little seed to produce food – it’s great to get outside and do walks!”
How we encourage self-care during one-to-one outreach
Headway Bristol employs a team of support workers who are skilled and experienced in assisting individuals with brain injuries. They run one-to-one sessions, usually around three hours in length, in a service user’s own home and local area.
These sessions help service users work on agreed rehabilitation goals, often with a focus on helping them access and continue activities contributing to their self-care.
Recently, this has included providing support with:
- physical activities, including swimming, cycling and visiting the gym,
- social activities, including volunteering and visits to places of interest,
- creative activities, including pebble painting and gallery trips,
- nutrition activities, including supporting cooking sessions and suggesting nutritious alternatives when shopping,
- Wellbeing activities, including health walks.
What our service users say:
“I love exploring … feeling supported to go out and just enjoy being outside, nature and the fresh air”
If you live locally and have an acquired brain injury (or know someone who does), then please get in touch to find out how Headway Bristol can support you.
Or, if you’re a practitioner with a focus on well-being, and you want to suggest a service or offer your time, please contact our Activity Coordinator Millie Holcombe at [email protected].
And remember, you can stay up to date with all the latest from us on Facebook.