We understand winter can be a difficult season to navigate, long dark nights, challenging weather and having to work against our natural desire to hibernate!
With that in mind, we are offering a series of workshops to support you through this season and also four guided meditation webinars during February. Self-care is so important and we very much hope you are able to join us.
These sessions are open to all our beneficiaries and not restricted to FRS employees. Please see below for further details and to make a booking.
Pre-retirement wellbeing workshop
Are you retiring from your job in the Fire and Rescue Service in the next few years?
Whether you’re excited or anxious about the prospect of retiring, this significant period of change brings with it its own challenges.
This two hour online workshop is designed to support you in making the most of your retirement by managing common feelings of changes to identity after retirement and planning for health and wellbeing.
- Delivered online to a small group
- Course workbook provided
- A supportive, relaxed, and interactive environment
- Appropriate for staff of all job roles within the fire service
- For anyone approaching retirement in the next few years
Understanding Menopause Workshop – for women
Any season is challenging when experiencing symptoms of menopause but those dark winter nights can make this life transition all the more difficult.
We are running this workshop (for women only) to give you the opportunity to find out more about menopause, explore symptoms and affects and talk about how to manage this often confusing time of life. You will have the opportunity to share thoughts, experiences and feelings about menopause in a safe space and we look forward to you joining us.
Tuesday 14 January 2025: 7-8pm
Menopause Café – for women
As part of our winter wellness series, to offer support during what can be a challenging time of year, we are hosting a cafe to provide a safe space to chat about all things menopause.
A place to ask questions and to offer support to each other during what can be a challenging life stage. We look forward to seeing you there.
Tuesday 28 January 2025: 7-8pm
Nature connection
At this time of the year, we can see nature undergo many changes including shedding of leaves and energy being conserved to cope with the demands of the winter weather.
This mirrors what our own bodies will want to do naturally too, and recognising this can help us care for ourselves through the winter months.
This one-hour wellbeing workshop will:
- Enhance your understanding of the health and wellbeing benefits of spending time with nature
- Explore the term ‘Nature Connectedness’ and its relevance to human health and wellbeing
- Look at how to increase you Nature Connectedness through personal practice.
Wednesday 15 January 2025: 6:30pm
Managing Stress
Stress and feeling overwhelmed are common problems, and some we don’t always see in ourselves. This can be exaggerated further by seasonal weather and following what can be a busy and demanding time of year.
This one-hour wellbeing workshop will:
- Help identify the causes and symptoms of stress
- Look at how stress might impact on day-to-day living
- Provide information on coping strategies, giving practical solutions to try at home and at work.
Monday 20 January 2025: 11am–12pm
Introduction to Mindfulness and Relaxation
As we are still in the depths of winter, our bodies are trying to conserve energy and cope with the demands of the cold weather.
Through the practices of mindfulness and relaxation, we can learn important self-care approaches which can support our health and wellbeing at this time of year, and make informed choices to better look after ourselves.
This one-hour wellbeing session will:
- Look at what constitutes relaxation and introduce mindfulness concepts
- Practice guided visualisation techniques, meditations and active mindfulness
- Explore how to incorporate mindfulness and relaxation techniques into every day life.
Wednesday 29 January: 11am –12pm
Time out Tuesdays…. February series
We know February can be a challenging month as we’re ready for the Spring that seems just out of reach.
As part of our Winter Wellbeing Series, we are offering a 30-minute guided meditation session every Tuesday evening during February at 7pm.
We will offer a mindfulness body scan at every session accompanied by either a visualisation guided relaxation or a mindfulness sounds and breath meditation.
Being able to fully relax is so beneficial for both our mental and physical health so we hope you will join us. You are welcome to sign up for as many of the sessions as you wish.
To get the best out the session please make sure that you are in a private space where you won’t be disturbed, preferably able to lie down or to be able to sit comfortably. Your camera and microphone will not be enabled during this session for your privacy.
4 February: 7-7.30pm: Body scan with safe space visualisation
11 February: 7-7.30pm Body scan with breath and sound meditation
18 February: 7-7.30pm Body scan with safe space visualisation
25 February: 7-7.30pm Body scan with breath and sound meditation
Mental Health and Exercise wellbeing workshop
The seasonal changes of shorter days and longer nights can potentially impact mental health, and we recognise the role of exercise in supporting mental wellbeing.
This one-hour wellbeing workshop will:
- Enhance your understanding of the benefits of physical activity to mental health and mood
- Recognise and address potential barriers to being active
- Create a plan to incorporate different types of physical activity/exercise into everyday life.
We have plans to deliver this workshop again, so please watch out for future dates.
Nutrition and Healthy Eating workshop
Nutrition and healthy eating can be challenging to maintain, with both winter and the festive period creating particular barriers. As well as discussing some general principles of nutrition and healthy eating, the workshop will address some of these common barriers.
This one-hour wellbeing workshop will:
- Enhance your understanding of the health and wellbeing benefits of a balanced diet and proper hydration
- Clarify the potential effects of certain foods on health and disease risk
- Look at practical options and strategies for healthy meals and snacks in a variety of situations, at work and at home.
We have plans to deliver this workshop again, so please watch out for future dates.
Workshop booked up?
Spaces will be filled on a first come, first served basis. If there’s a workshop you’d like to have joined which is already full, please complete the form below and we can let you know about any future opportunities.