News Virus Updates Update on Services We have taken the very difficult decision to close all our centres from Thursday 19th March 9am; this includes Newtown, Welshpool and Llanidloes until further notice. However we will be supporting our community in different ways: The telephone lines will remain open from 10am-4.30pm Monday to Friday; these calls will be diverted to a staff member’s mobile phone. All our face to face services will take place by telephone or skype. We will keep our Facebook, website and all other social media platforms up to date with information, official guidance and some fun ideas to help you look after your well-being during these unsettling times. If you are self-isolating, please let us know. “Ponthafren is here to provide a caring community offering support to those in need and to promote positive mental health and well-being for all” Claire CartwrightPonthafren Director All enquiries for Newtown, Welshpool centres and Llanidloes Outreach to 01686 621586. Email: [email protected] Tracy Fletcher's Five Ways to Well-being Tracy Fletcher, Ponthafren Counsellor and Life Skills Tutor, has been describing how she is fulfilling the Five Ways to Well-being at this difficult time. Lead Counsellor Angela Morris shares her Musings on Lockdown. Angela Morris, Ponthafren Lead Counsellor, has made a video to help us all through this tough time. Senior Counsellor Tracey Fletcher shares her thoughts on resilience and 5 ways to well-being. Tracy Fletcher, Ponthafren counsellor and Life Skills Tutor, has made a video about resilience. This is a key skill during times of change and upheaval. SilverCloud - Your space for thinking and feeling better SilverCloud is an online programme that helps you to develop ways of managing your own emotional wellbeing. It is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which focuses on the way in which thoughts can influence feelings and behaviours. Thoughts can be helpful and sometimes they can be unhelpful. If you are feeling anxious, depressed or stressed you are more likely to have ‘negative thinking’ and SilverCloud encourages you to develop a more balanced way of thinking that is more helpful to you. For example, if you wake up in the morning and think “today is going to be rubbish” chances are you are going to feel rubbish; however, if you wake up and think “today could be an ok day” then you are more likely to have an ok day. The way you think can influence the way you feel. It sounds straightforward but it takes practice to change the way you think, but it’s worth it to feel differently! You work through the online programme for about 12 weeks with fortnightly online reviews providing you with support and guidance. SilverCloud is right for you if; You are over 16 You recognise that sometimes your own thinking can work against you, for example you have overly negative thoughts You have mild symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, Anxiety and Depression or Stress You have an e-mail address and ongoing access to the internet You have the time to access the programme for 3-4 times a week minimum for 15-20 minutes at a time You are open to exploring and changing the way you think and to doing things differently You are registered with a GP in Powys If you would like to access the SilverCloud online programme for help with Anxiety, Depression or Stress you can self-refer at: https://nhswales.silvercloudhealth.com/signup Interested but unsure it’s for you and want to talk it over, give us a call on 01686 621 586 or email [email protected] This is not crisis line and cannot be answered at all times: some delays to messages are possible at this time. Samaritans: call 116 123 Shout: text "shout" to 85258 C.A.L.L: call 0800 132 737 or text "help" to 81066 If your life is in immediate danger: call 999 DWP emphasises online claims and suspends review processes Benefit claimants asked to apply online as jobcentres limit access People are being urged to use online services before turning to the telephone for help with their benefit claim. Read the full press release here. Benefit reviews and reassessments suspended Reviews and reassessments for disability benefits are being suspended for the next three months. Read the full press release here. Mike shares his thoughts on living in the now Mike Clancy, one of the counsellors at Ponthafren, reminds us of the importance of enjoying the here and now. Marika's Advice on Resilience Ponthafren Counsellor, Marika Cook, has some great advice about resilience in these troubling times. Latest information from NHS Wales For the latest updates from NHS Wales on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) from NHS Wales please visit:https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/ This site is updated at 12noon every day. The Virus Song by AJ One of our long time volunteers, AJ, has written a song to keep our spirits high in this difficult time. Manage Cookie Preferences