At this difficult time, it is more important than ever that we look after our health and wellbeing. Our lives have changed dramatically and we are all spending much more time at home than usual. With this in mind, and whilst we are unable to run our Community Activities Programme, we have created a new ‘Activities Newsletter’ for our clients and volunteers, packed with ideas to help people stay active both mentally and physically. We’ve included a recipe to make, mindful colouring, a poetry competition, a puzzle page, a nature project and exercises to try at home, as well as launching a new Jigsaw Club and Book Club.

Mental Health charity Mind recommends that we all:

• Try to keep active
• Get as much sunlight, fresh air and nature as we can
• Try to find new ways to spend our time
• Look for activities that help us to relax and be creative
• Keep our minds stimulated.

The newsletter has already been distributed to around 1,500 clients and volunteers. A huge thank you to a small army of volunteers and local COVID support groups who have delivered copies through doors across the North Cotswolds. We are looking forward to receiving photos, comments, thoughts and feedback from our readers on the activities and plan to include a selection of these in our next issue. We have already received many requests to join the Jigsaw Club, entries into our Poetry competition and quite a few pics of lemon and blueberry cakes!

Please Note: The newsletter clubs, competitions and other articles requesting feedback are only open to clients and volunteers of Cotswold Friends. If you live in the North Cotswolds and would like to become a client or a volunteer please do get in touch. Tel: 01608 651415, email:[email protected].

Click here to have a read of Issue One. Please do get in touch if you would like any further information on this new project. KEEP ACTIVE, LOOK AFTER YOURSELVES & STAY SAFE.