Feeling uneasy about the end of lockdown?

Since 17 May 21, social distancing restrictions have eased outdoors and pubs, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, museums, galleries, concert halls and hotels have been allowed to open again, admitting customers indoors. On 21 June, there is some uncertainty whether things will further open up as planned, but it could mean that larger events such as festivals and larger weddings could take place.

Lockdown presented challenges to how Londoners felt, with many people feeling socially isolated. However, the easing of lockdown is also proving difficult for many and is something that is affecting older and younger people alike. Some people are feeling that it’s really challenging going out, particularly when they’ve been shielding. 

On the Good Thinking website, a survey in July 2020, together with Partnership for Young London, revealed that “almost a third (31%) of the young Londoners who took part…[in the survey] were only going outside once a week or less.”  No wonder so many people are finding it strange to go back out into the outside world.

With this in mind, and to link in with Mental Health Awareness Week, we invited Richard Graham, Clinical Director from Good Thinking: London's Digital Mental Well-being Service to share information about the Good Thinking resources with our monthly Let’s Talk, peer support group on 5^th May. 

Richard gave an overview of the tools that are available in their suite of digital Apps.  These are all free to Londoners to make use of. He highlighted two of the Good Thinking Apps that are particularly relevant to the current situation and the easing of lockdown.  As he said, “If we don’t move physically for a while, our body gets stuck.  The same can happen for us psychologically.” The tools could be a helpful tool in helping us to slowly build confidence and start changing our behaviour.

Clear Fear – this is a programme about building confidence.  The Clear Fear app is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (a type of talking treatment which focuses on how your thoughts, beliefs and attitudes affect your feelings and behaviour).

Tomo – this is an app that can help set some goals and help you get confidence back.  tomo is designed to support you with many of life's obstacles, including social anxiety and poor sleep. The app combines digital peer support with the best of social media and proven therapeutic techniques.

In total there are 12 Apps that are free to use.  As Richard explained, "Good Thinking is a bit like a personal shopper, finding the best Apps around for Londoners". If you find that the Apps do not work for you, then talk to your GP or someone you trust about getting other forms of help including Talking Therapies.

The next Age UK Islington monthly Let’s Talk session is on Wednesday 2^nd June, 10.30am – 12.  It is open to adults of all ages living in Islington.  As the title suggests, it’s designed to get people to get together to talk about whatever is going on in their lives and to share info about things that they’ve found useful in the local community – groups, activities and resources.

Shamin Noronha (Specialist Case Worker – Information & Advice and also Host of Let’s Talk Peer Support Group at Age UK Islington) says, “Let’s Talk Peer Support Group has grown in membership and has greatly evolved since it was launched in October 2020 as a peer-led on-going monthly social group facilitating discussions and activities online."

Let’s Talk as a peer-led group has invited speakers from a wide range of organisations from both the statutory and non-statutory fields; to share information and knowledge in their area of expertise to promote discussions around issues relevant to the peer support group.

To date, organisations who have given presentations to the Let’s Talk Peer Support Group have included: Good Thinking, Thrive LDN, Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, RNID, Camden and Islington Public Health, Islington Law Centre, Shine London and The Claremont Project.

More information

To see the Good Thinking range of digital free apps, see their website: https://www.good-thinking.uk/coronavirus/how-to/use-good-thinking/

Clear, well presented information from Age UK National giving the Roadmap out of lockdown

To join the next Age UK Islington Let’s Talk session, Wed 2^nd June, 10.30am – 12pm, see the webpage here: https://ageukislington.microsoftcrmportals.com/letstalk/

Age UK Islington's Digital Volunteers can provide one to one support to help you get started or build confidence using your smartphone, tablet or pc.  For more information and to book, see further information about the service.