The wellbeing workshops started back in May 2021, as part of The New You project at The Enterprise. Sessions were originally held on Zoom, because of Coronavirus restrictions at the time.

Community workshops

The Enterprise have just held a series of three workshops for adults with learning disabilities at Kingston Eco-Op.

Operations Manager Leeni Szalay Winter said:

Nora has a great energy and her passion for wellbeing was not only informative but also very infectious!

She engaged well with all our clients and staff and included everyone in the session, even managing to get people talking who are usually less confident in coming forwards.

The sessions are interactive, fun and respectful to the needs of people attending. She was able to read the room well and delivered accordingly.

Nora and the team have also been invited by local charity Ruils to host two wellbeing workshops.

The first will be at Whitton Community Centre on Friday 27 January (Great Mental Health Day) and the second is at YMCA White House in Hampton on Thursday 16 February.

These events are open to anyone in the community. For more information please visit the websites linked above.

Healing through teaching

Nora calls teaching her ‘life’s passion’. An Adult Education Tutor and also a trained journalist, she previously taught English and Creative Writing at Richmond community centres for survivors of domestic abuse and human trafficking:

That’s where my passion for wellbeing started to come in. I noticed the healing power of writing, reflection and safe spaces.

There are always very different learning styles in the room. In order to get learners engaged, you have to be engaging and your sessions have to be engaging.

The main theme, Nora says, is to ‘be an overcomer’ – helping people to change their mindset and break out of any negative chains of thought:

We’re planting the seeds for confidence, to strengthen people’s identity. It’s about being able to politely and diplomatically challenge the unwelcome labels that other people put on us. Standing up for yourself in the correct way, with a supportive team behind us.

Another important aspect of the sessions is peer support. Attendees are encouraged to recognise difficult situations and emotions in others and think about how they can help in a non-judgmental way.

Remembrance: a wellbeing session dedicated to the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Nora explained how the Enterprise wellbeing group members now actively encourage and empower one another to share their feelings, however difficult:

Something might happen when we’re sharing, something we weren’t expecting might land in the room – a memory or experience that really upset them.

She recalled a session where someone had recently lost a close family member and how everyone in the room shared their own experiences:

Everyone was putting in a necessary ingredient that helped them deal with loss. The session became centred around that person. We created artwork with supportive messages and played songs for that person to make them feel they weren’t alone. That was just really beautiful.

Special guests

Nora and the team have previously invited special guest speakers to the Enterprise wellbeing sessions.

Their first visit was from Major Tom Oakley, a soldier who shared his story and talked about motivation and determination.

They also hosted Marcus Gayle, former professional footballer and now Club Ambassador and Lead Educator for Brentford FC. Marcus talked about overcoming racist behaviour from fans and talked about how people can be more inclusive and celebrate diversity.

Guests found both talks really inspiring and thought-provoking.

Guest speaker Major Tom (centre left) with members of The Enterprise’s wellbeing group

Testimonials

People we support have praised Nora’s wellbeing workshops for giving them a safe, supportive space and the tools to talk about how they’re feeling:

Before I had lots of things on my mind. The workshops helped me to learn to control my thoughts and taught me to speak about them in the group instead of holding them in.

I used to get very anxious but now I feel calm and confident. My confidence is higher than my anxiety.

I would recommend the group to anyone who is anxious – it will help you how it helped me.

Josh

I think that Nora’s sessions are amazing. She is a brilliant teacher. I would encourage people to come and engage with what Nora is teaching as it will help their minds to think straight.

Casey

The wellbeing sessions are very interesting and extremely well-led. I would highly recommend them to anyone who is feeling down. It will help you to feel inspired and invigorated. I feel very valued and supported in the sessions.

Emma

Our Richmond staff also said how beneficial the topics covered in the wellbeing sessions are, for both themselves and the people they support:

The Wellbeing group has made a huge impact on the lives of people we support. It teaches them to speak about their emotions, how to handle tough situations and coping strategies for when they are at home.

It has given people we support so much confidence which was vital coming out of the pandemic, learning how to go back into the community with so many changes and restrictions.

The way that Nora teaches the sessions mean that both people we support and support staff are able to take away tools to help them.

Chloe, Lead Senior Support Worker

The sessions are fun and exciting. We have lots of laughs and they’re very enjoyable. We’re all like family, coming together.

When the sessions are over, we look forward to the next one and all the new activities and excitement ahead.

It’s our safe haven.

Sharon, Support Worker

The New You project received funding from the Active Londoners Fund – an initiative supported by the Mayor of London that awards grants for local activities that help to improve Londoners’ physical and mental health.

  • Jenna Lloyd is Senior Content Officer for United Response.