IT’S BRAW TO TALK
Helping people share how pandemic has affected their wellbeing
A new project is set to launch later this month encouraging people to talk about the coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having on their mental health.
The It’s BRAW To Talk podcast is being set up and run by volunteers from the It’s BRAW (Blairgowrie and Rattray Arts for Wellbeing) festival and the town’s Proactive Communities group. Hosted by musician Bob Stewart and Steve Johnson from Proactive Communities, and featuring a range of members of the local community as guests, it will look at how the pandemic has affected people locally and what sort of things have made life in lockdown more bearable for them. The idea is that by sharing their thoughts and experiences it will help others realise that they are not alone. Sam Stewart from Proactive
Communities and It’s BRAW explained: “The idea for the podcast has come out of the increase in the numbers of people strugglingwithlockdownandtheirmental health.
“We want to show people that they are not alone and although lockdown is affecting us all differently, the way we are feeling about it is valid.
“By its very definition, lockdown means that we are often unable to access one-to-one, face-to-face support when we are struggling, and a lot of people are struggling now and are not sharing how much of an impact the pandemic has had on them - in some cases people are struggling without even realising that they are.”
Sam, who is married to Bob, went on: “Bob has been a professional musician, playing full-time, for more than 30 years and suddenly in March last year that all stopped and he had nothing.
“He has spent the last year volunteering in the community and has set up weekly online music sessions for people of all abilities and ages to get involved with, which has had a positive impact for Bob and the other musicians involved.
“So the thinking behind It’s BRAW To Talk is to provide an opportunity for people to chat about their experiences, what they did before lockdown, how things have changed and the positive things that have come out of it, focusing on the things that make everything seem a bit better, and how the future looks.”
The sessions will be recorded on online platform Zoom initially with face-to-face recordings taking place once restrictions allow.
They will be available on all the usual podcast streaming channels such as Facebook, YouTube, Apple, Google and Amazon with the first of the weekly sessions due to be broadcast on March 19 almost a year to the day since the first lockdown was announced.
Sam added:“We’re really keen to hear from anyone who would like to come and have a chat, anyone who has struggled or had difficulties or wants to share their experiences during lockdown and any of the positive things that may have come out of it.
“Maybe you volunteered with the Coronavirus Coordination Group in the town and it gave you a different perspective on things, maybe you’re a business owner who has had to look at new and different ways of working.
“Perhaps you’re a key worker for the NHS or a carer, a teacher, a postie or a delivery person. Or you have been laid off or furloughed and have discovered a new talent or love of gardening or knitting.
“Maybe you are homeschooling while trying to work from home, or you have been shielding, or you’re an older person who has been isolated and has discovered how technology can keep you connected with friends and family.
“Or maybe you’re a young person who’s schooling or exams have been disrupted and you haven’t been able to see your friends, or a student who has missed out on student life and all the opportunities living away from home for the first time offers.
“Whatever your story, we would love to hear from you and hear how you have coped with this whole situation.
“Other people might identify with your story and it could help normalise how they are feeling.
“The impact of the pandemic on people’s mental health is going to be with us for some time and it is so important to share your feelings rather than bottle things up.
“Equally, there are some positives that have come out of this and we want to talk about all aspects of the effects of the pandemic, good and
bad.
“It has been a really difficult period but you are not alone.”