Homeless Alliance Response Team - HART

Good morning everyone, it's Saturday, the sun is shining and it's World Bee Day today!

Did you know?

The vast majority of pollinator species are wild, including more than 20,000 species of bees.

Pollinators contribute to 35 percent of the world’s total crop production, pollinating 87 of 115 leading food crops worldwide.

Close to 75 percent of the world’s crops producing fruits and seeds for human use depend, at least in part, on pollinators.

In many areas, bees, pollinators and many other insects are declining in abundance and diversity.

Our food security, nutrition and the health of our environment depend on bees and pollinators.

Everyone can make a difference to support, restore and enhance the role of bees and pollinators.

So next time you pick up that newspaper, please think twice!

Congratulations to King Charles III and Queen Camilla

Best wishes to King Charles III and the Queen Consort

Happy Bank Holiday everybody, we hope you are all having some
quality time - despite the great British weather!

Well can you believe that it's Day 30 and the final day of our support for Stress Awareness Month and what a month it has been.

If you've found it useful and would like to look back at the points we've been making then here's the link: https://www.stress.org.uk/.../April-30-Day-Challenge...

Lastly but by no means least here are today's tips, thank you:

Physical - Your body is the only one that you’ll get, treat it better and it will reward you. Feed, water and let it out once in a while – change things up to keep it guessing!

Mental – Complete our Individual Stress Test to see if your score has improved over the past 30 days!

Emotional – Take a moment to check in and look inwards. How are you feeling now your 30-day challenge is complete? What are you looking forward to from the next 30 days?

Remember to be kind to yourself and others: you’re only here to do the very best you can… that’s it!

Source: https://www.stress.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-month/

Day 29 is here and it's the penultimate day of our support for Stress Awareness Month, as always we hope these help:

Physical – Why not try and learn a new breathing technique to help you slow down and unwind?

Mental – Meditate: there are many different types, try a few out and at least one will work for you. No-one can tell you if you’re doing it right, you can be guided but you’ll figure it out yourself – the way you do it is the right way!

Emotional – If you’re in a position to do so, pick your favourite charity and make a donation. No matter how small, every contribution has the ability to make a big difference!

Source: https://www.stress.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-month/

And so here we are; it’s Friyay, it’s Bank Holiday weekend and it’s day 28 of our support for Stress Awareness Month. We hope you have found it at the very least interesting and if you have found it useful then that has to be a good thing doesn’t it and if you’d like to send us your feedback that would be great!

Physical – Have you ever thought about buying a plant for your room? Adding a bit of green is good for our health and brightens up our space!

Mental – Is there a hobby or activity that you’ve always wanted to try? Why not find out more and sign yourself up to some sessions!

Emotional – Thank a friend or someone close to you for the benefits that they bring into your life.

Source: https://www.stress.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-month/

Only a few more days to go and it’s Day 27 of our Stress Awareness Month. It’s important to remember that stress can manifest itself in many ways but you are not alone, we are always here to talk and there are also a lot of other organisations out there too:

Physical – Make a note of the support resources available to you:

• CALM Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight) Website: www.thecalmzone.net
• Mental Health Foundation Website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk
• Mind Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm) Website: www.mind.org.uk
• PAPYRUS Phone: HOPElineUK 0800 068 4141 (9am to midnight, every day of the year) Website: www.papyrus-uk.org
• Rethink Mental Illness Phone: 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm) Website: www.rethink.org
• Samaritans Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline) Website: www.samaritans.org.uk
• SANE Textcare: comfort and care via text message, sent when the person needs it most: www.sane.org.uk/textcare Peer support forum: www.sane.org.uk/supportforum Website: www.sane.org.uk/support
• YoungMinds Phone: Parents' helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm) Website: www.youngminds.org.uk

Mental – Smiling can alter our brain chemistry and make us feel happier. It is also infectious so smile at someone you pass and kickstart a chain reaction!

Emotional – Pet a dog! Giving attention to our furry friends’ releases Oxytocin, the love hormone.

Source: https://www.stress.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-month/

Only a few more days to go and we are at Day 26 of our support for Stress Awareness Month:

Physical – Why not trade that sugary snack for a piece of fruit and help towards your 5 a day!

Mental – Ikigai is a Japanese word for the thing that is your reason for being and the thing that gets up in the morning. Have you found your Ikigai? Take this free survey to find out! Visit https://ikigaisurvey.questionpro.com/

Emotional – Take the time to think about the mental state of those around you and identify who may be struggling. Does anyone come to mind and if so, what can you do to help?

Source: https://www.stress.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-month/

Day 25 of our support for Stress Awareness Month is here and as always we hope you find it interesting reading:

Physical – You’re never too old to get creative! Try a creative activity today, whether it’s writing, crafting, baking, cooking or photography – the worlds your oyster!

Mental – Create a jar for your happy memories and add them as you go along. At the end of the year, you can open the jar and remind yourself of all the wonderful things that happened and what you achieved.

Emotional – If you’re in a position to do so, donate some supplies to your local food bank. Unsure of what to give? Most food banks have a website with details on their stock levels and the items they need most. It’s always useful to check beforehand to ensure that your donation makes the most impact.

Source: https://www.stress.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-month/

It’s the final week of our support for Stress Awareness Month and we hope you’ve found these tips useful – here’s Day 24’s:

Physical – Clean and organise your workspace / room for the busy week ahead. A useful tip is to start with what you see around you and gradually increase your circle of influence.

Mental – Why not stimulate a different part of your brain and try learning a new language? There are plenty of fantastic language apps including Duolingo, MemRise, Babbel, Hello Talk… iPuedes hacerlo!

Emotional – Send a motivational text to someone that you know is struggling.

Source: https://www.stress.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-month/

How did that happen? Sunday already?!

If you've had one of those weekends that seems to have all been a bit of a blur maybe it's time to pause for thought. Day 23 of our Support for Stress Awareness Month and here's some tips for you:

Physical - Green therapy: if you have a garden, go outside – if not, use your exercise time wisely and plan a route where you can get a nature fix – green is good!

Mental – Perform a random act of kindness for someone around you. You’ll be surprised about how much a little act can impact upon someone’s day.

Emotional – Take some time to reflect on the past week and the one ahead. What were the positives? What challenged you? What did you overcome? What do you hope to achieve in the upcoming
week?

Source: https://www.stress.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-month/

Stuck for something to do this Saturday? Take a look at Day 22 of our support for Stress Awareness Month, this could keep you busy:

Physical – In need of a relaxing activity to wind down ready for the weekend? Try the stress.org colouring book, created by the amazingly talented Sam Antolik. Available athttps://www.stress.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Stress-Relief-AdultColouring-Book-©-Sam-Antolik-2020.-All-rights-reserved.pdf

Mental – Reach out to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. A call or text can make someone’s day!

Emotional – Think of 3 things good things which have happened to you over the week.

Source: https://www.stress.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-month/

Friday is here and that makes it Day 21 of our support for Stress Awareness Month. Unfortunately some of you may not have that ‘Friday Feeling’ and if that’s the case then we hope today’s tips will help:

Physical – Here are some of the best stress-busting activities:
• Practicing mindfulness
• Being outside in nature
• Getting a good nights sleep
• Staying well hydrated
• Making time for fun and laughter
• Aerobic exercise
• Unplugging from digital devices Pick one for your mid-week activity!

Mental – Take yourself on a 10-minute holiday to de-stress. The power of the brain is amazing, and this nifty little trick is perfect for helping you to relax. Listen to Neil and explore this activity at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hNcWDMtY_Y

Emotional – Find a quiet spot and write a letter to your future self.

Thank you and we hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Source: https://www.stress.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-month/

Good morning everyone, here we are at Day 20 of our support for Stress Awareness Month and maybe it’s time for a detox?

Physical – Try the stress.org digital detox tally to work out the impact that technology has on your life. If the number of ‘YES’ responses outweighs the ‘NO’s, it’s worth reflecting on your score and identifying any elements that can be changed. Digital-Detox-©-International-Wellbeing-Insights-2020.pdf (stress.org.uk)

Mental – Try a simple grounding exercise to get your Thursday off to a good start. Can you name:
- 5 things you can see
- 4 things you can hear
- 3 things you can touch
- 2 things you can smell
- 1 thing you can taste

Emotional – If you’re feeling a little blue, remember that you are the sky and your emotions are the weather. You can acknowledge and accept them, without making them part of who you are. For example, instead of saying “I’m Sad”, learn to say “I feel sad”.

Source: https://www.stress.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-month/

Good morning everyone, halfway through the week or halfway to the weekend, whichever way you look at it we hope your week is above all going in the right direction.

It’s also Day 19 of our support for Stress Awareness Month and on the off chance you’ve hit the odd bump, we hope these tips will help you:

Physical – Get up and do some quick short bursts of activity to get the blood pumping. Why not try: - 30 star jumps - 1 minute of high knees - 15 burpees - 30 seconds of skipping

Mental – The Stress Management Society’s Founder and Chief De-Stressing Officer, Neil Shah, has written a stress[1]busting book.
The steps of his 10-Step Stress Solution include:
- Prioritize your health
- Get a good night’s sleep
- Don’t be a slave to technology
- Learn to say ‘no’
- Get moving to combat stress
- Adopt a positive mindset
- Master your time
- Practice deep breathing
- Stay hydrated
- Eat for wellbeing and NOT for stress
You can find out more about this on their website at www.stress.org.uk.

Emotional – Are you holding any grudges? Is there anything in life that you regret or would change if you had the chance? Take a moment to think about this and then let go of anything that is weighing you down. Life is a journey and we’re only moving forwards.

Source: https://www.stress.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-month/

And so here we are at Day 18 of our support for Stress Awareness Month and the days seem to be flying by:

Physical – Why not volunteer to a cause that’s important to you? You can find out more about volunteering projects at https://www.gov.uk/gov.../get[1]involved/take-part/volunteer

Mental – Want to learn something new today? Why not listen to a TED Talk at www.ted.com/talks

Emotional – 3 Things to notice today: - What you’re grateful for? - What energises you? - What’s not working and why?

Source: https://www.stress.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-month/

Here we are, it’s Day 17 of our Stress Awareness Month and a whole new week of tips for you:

Physical – Set some time aside to clean and organise a specific space. For example, this could be clearing out a kitchen cupboard, reorganising your wardrobe or venturing into the dreaded attic! Sorting provides a sense of achievement and will help to get your weekend off to a productive start.

Mental –Write down a list of things that you want to achieve by the end of the week.

Emotional – Eating cacao rich foods produces endorphins which can improve our mood. Remember this is only in small quantities, we’re not advising you to binge on endless amounts of chocolate!

Source: https://www.stress.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-month/

Sunday is here and it's typically a day to chillax. On Day 16 of our support for Stress Awareness Month here's some advice that we hope will help:

Physical – Have a relaxing evening and get an early night’s sleep in preparation for the week ahead.

Mental – Why not try some brain training exercises with sudoku, crossword or wordsearches?

Emotional – Eventually, our time will all come to an end. Take a moment to consider how you want to be remembered by your friends, family and community. It’s common for people to prioritise the goal of earning money and building a career, only to realise that they want to be recognised and remembered by personal values. This exercise is great at identifying priorities and unveiling what’s truly important to you. You can then use this knowledge to bring it to life and become your best self.

Source: https://www.stress.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-month/

And if it's good enough for Teddy Roosevelt it's good enough for us! We are at the halfway point of our support for Stress Awareness Month and here's some interesting points for you:

Physical – Sign up for a physical activity today! There are plenty online workouts and apps you can get for a very low cost to start moving today! Or simply find a yoga studio or a gym that is nearby and commit to 3X a week to practice!

Mental – Can you name your favourite memory? Take a moment to pause and remember all the little details. How things looked, smelt, tasted and felt. What emotions did you feel in that exact moment?

Emotional – stress.org conducted a study on causes of stress for the British public in January 2021.
Out of the 2000 participants:
- 46% feel disconnected to others
- 54% feel isolated
- 46% said uncertainty about when things will get back to normal
- 36% had difficulty concentrating
- 38% feel a lack of motivation

Source: https://www.stress.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-month/

It’s nearly weekend and Day 14 of our support for Stress Awareness Month:

Physical – Move every day. Take time to stand, stretch, adjust and improve your posture.

Mental – Every year stress.org create a free 7 step achievement plan to help individuals understand and achieve their goals. Visit https://www.stress.org.uk/free-resources/ to download your copy and get planning!

Emotional – April is a perfect time to wiggle your green fingers – we planted some seeds a couple of weeks ago, it’s given us a real lift to see them growing in the spring sunshine.

Have a great and stress free weekend everybody!

Source: https://www.stress.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-month/

Here we are already at Day 13 of our support for Stress Awareness Month and here are today's tips:

Physical – Are you sleeping well at the moment? Why not have a look at your sleep hygiene and identify improvements that you can make? Find out more at https://bit.ly/3lLdLlG

Mental – Find a few minutes of your day to practice mindfulness as this is a great stress-busting activity. This needn’t be a long or complex process; it can be as simple as practicing mindful breathing or eating.

Emotional – Tune in with yourself and finish the sentences below:
- ‘I am feeling…’
- ‘I think that…’
- ‘I am happiest when…’
- ‘I am looking forward to…’
- ‘I can’t wait for…’

Source: https://www.stress.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-month/

Every Thursday, between 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm Petrus hold the Candlelight Café at their centre on Great George St, Rochdale.

This service is for women only and they are provided with a warm meal, relaxed atmosphere, areas to talk to professionals regarding their health, finance and housing issues.

Activities vary, some weeks there are therapy sessions such as Yoga, Rakhi and relaxation exercises.

This week, as it’s Easter we are giving the ladies Easter Eggs that have been kindly donated to us by those lovely folks from Willmott Dixon Construction over at their Rochdale Town Centre site and we can’t thank them enough for their generous donation. Gestures like this really do make a difference to people’s lives.



willmottdixon.co.uk

It's Day 12 of our support for Stress Awareness Month and here's some helpful pointers for you:

Physical – A lot of people struggle to drink enough water throughout the day which can cause a vicious cycle: thirsty because you are stressed and stressed because you are thirsty. Woman should aim to drink about 1.6 litres per day and men should aim for
2 litres. Struggling to monitor your intake? Why not use a water bottle with measurements!

Mental – Did you know that just 6 minutes of relaxing in a good book can reduce blood pressure and muscle tension? Get that book you always wanted to read but never found time for.

Emotional – Why not arrange a group activity for you and your friends? This could be as simple as a group video call or organise an outdoor activity!

https://www.stress.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-month/

And so here we are at Day 11 of our focus on supporting Stress Awareness Month.

Physical – Pick a recipe that you have always wanted to try and give it a go!

Mental – Do absolutely nothing. Can you be still, with no input for 2 minutes? 5 minutes? How about 10? It’s not often that we pause to stop the information and this simple act can improve our resilience.

Emotional – Have a think about those around you and all the qualities that you like and admire. Challenge yourself to tell those people your thought and brighten their day.

Source: https://www.stress.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-month/

Is it Monday already? How did the weekend seem to pass so quickly?
We are supporting Stress Awareness Month and today is Day 10. If your Bank Holiday hasn't been all you wanted it to be, we hope these tips might help:

Physical – Put your favourite song on and have a dance! Give yourself that weekend feeling!

Mental – Are you keen to unlock your happy? Use the graphic below to select an activity to activate the happiness chemicals in your brain:

Emotional – Write down a list of things that you are looking forward to doing? Is it going for a meal? Booking a holiday? Have a think and plan so that you have some exciting things to look forward to!

Source: https://www.stress.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-month/