EK is Well Connected

Chris Thompson a member of the steering group of Well Connected in East Kilbride said they have already supported hundreds of people in the community who are experiencing a wide range of mental health problems, including low mood, depression, anxiety and stress.

This can be done by giving them access to a range of activities, including online classes, specialist CAB services, trained counsellors, telephone-befriending initiative, ‘keep in touch’ service, home activities including Tai Chi, and art and crafts.

Chris said: “This is greatly helping and will continue to do so as we start to see the effects of lifting of lockdown restrictions.

“This will bring new issues including anxiety around coming back into the community, fear of getting the virus, redundancy, business closures and many more issues.

“The experienced team at Well Connected will continue to support those affected by COVID, providing a much-needed mental health support service in our community.”

Here are just a few examples of how Well Connected in East Kilbride has helped local people.

Victoria 63 years old, lives rurally in the surrounding area of

East Kilbride and had been feeling isolated, lonely and frustrated during lockdown as she had been placed in the ‘at risk’ group due to her health conditions. Victoria contacted ‘Well Connected in East Kilbride’ to seek support in solving an issue she was having with her energy company.

She was having issues with the amount of direct debit that her energy company wanted her to pay every month.

They had increased the amount substantially which the client felt was unacceptable especially due to COVID 19 and would place her in a situation of possible hardship.

Victoria received a call back within five minutes of her initial enquiry and was not only offered the support in dealing with her problem with her energy provider, which had a positive outcome, but was also offered wellbeing support in the form of counselling, mindfulness, tai chi, craft and art classes.

Victoria gladly accepted the offer of tai chi and mindfulness classes and was grateful and excited that she would see people face to face, on zoom instead of a voice on the telephone, as has been the case during lockdown.

Speaking with Victoria after the call she mentioned that for the first time since lockdown she felt “supported and not alone” and was thankful for the project.

Heather and her husband from East Kilbride had contacted East Kilbride Citizens Advice Bureau regarding a worry over their energy costs.

The couples fixed-rate energy tariff was due to come to an end and they were worried that due to COVID 19, they would be unable to change this tariff, which would mean that they would be moved onto a standard tariff, which would be much more expensive for them.

Heather, who has significant medical conditions, had been placed in the ‘at risk’ group by her GP, who advised her to stay at home. They were referred to ‘Well Connected in East Kilbride’.

They received the support that was required to switch energy tariffs, with the guidance of the adviser and ended up on a cheaper tariff.

Heather and her husband said about the project “that they felt that this service had lifted a load off their minds as they were using more gas and electricity due to lockdown and were worried about rising costs”

Doreen used to be a hairdresser, however she had to retire early due to suffering from arthritis.

She has suffered with mental health problems for as long as she can remember, and the services which support her in the NHS have been suspended due to the pandemic.

Doreen has always been active in her community, having been involved in many local groups, including a mental health support group and Lanarkshire Links, where she received an award for her voluntary services.

We knew Doreen as she has previously used our services, so when we contacted her about ‘Well Connected’ she was pleased to hear from us.

She has been in isolation now for 12 weeks, living alone and not able to see her family due to Lockdown.

This compounded her existing mental health problems.

To date, Doreen has participated in the online Tai chi classes and mindfulness classes and has accessed the Counselling services. She is thoroughly enjoying the classes, meeting with new people, and is already benefitting from being able to access a block of counselling session with a trained counsellor.

Doreen said: “I am extremely grateful for this support, and so pleased that this project is available in East Kilbride.

“I already feel more positive and would recommend it to anyone.”

If you need help, call 01355 208500 anytime between 9am - 5pm on Monday to Friday.

You can email sandra@ olderandactive.co.uk or angela. smith@eastkilbridecab.casonline. org.uk