It’s always a great start to a Club Meeting when we get to welcome a new Member!
Bev Keech (see pic in the centre with Club President Kat Clark left) was introduced to the Club by Janet Tansley (right) who will be her mentor. She was given a welcome pack with badge and was welcomed by all of the Members. Janet and Bev first met when their sons were at school and remained friends. Bev teaches Alexander Technique after a career in which she spent time in the theatre and training race horses and polo ponies. She looks really thrilled to join the Club – what a great photo!
Irma Mullins (pictured here with Club President Kat Clark) came to tell us about the New Leaf Wellbeing College which was conceived in 2014. The College works with Herts Partnership Trust and Secondary Mental Health Services. It provides free educational courses from centres across Hertfordshire including four in the St Albans area. What is unique about the College is that each course has a knowledgeable tutor and a second person who has had a lived experience of relevance to the course. The concept of a Recovery College has been around for about eight years and is about improving well-being through education not therapy as such. It is about giving people hope, and providing skills to negotiate and manage their continued well-being. About 1760 students are on their books and courses include spirituality, understanding depression, anxiety, stigma, creative writing and well-being. Feedback has been extremely positive with between 85 and 95% of students saying the course content is good. All courses are piloted in advance. Courses are open to all and anyone can enrol, although the college does not take young students because of safeguarding issues. Money is inevitably tight but Irma offered to run an evening creative arts session for Soroptimist Club Members next year in which she would be the tutor and Kat would assist. This suggestion was warmly welcomed.
New Leaf Wellbeing College www.newleafcollege.co.uk “New Leaf Wellbeing College offers a range of free short educational courses which give you the skills and knowledge to help you better manage your wellbeing. Attending the college also gives you the opportunity to reflect upon your own situation and consider how you can build on your strengths to achieve better wellbeing. The college is available free of charge to all Hertfordshire residents aged 18 and over. ”