Guideposts Blog – Latest News
Breathe Easy: Relax with Guideposts’ Pranayama Yoga Classes
21 January 2020
A member of our yoga and pranayama (yogic breathing) classes at Henry Smith House tells us how it helps to keep her well.
Five Festive Activities
24th December 2020
Christmas will be different for most people in the UK this year. Whether you are spending the Christmas with family, friends, or just yourself, we hope you have some fun and a few laughs. To help you with festive cheer, we have five festive activities for you.
Guideposts – Supporting Carers during the Covid Crisis
14th December 2020
Guideposts CEO Matthew Jones writes about some of the challenges Carers have faced during 2020 and how the Guideposts team have taken some key services online to great effect.
Hertfordshire Newsletter
20 October 2020
Read the latest news and advice from the team in Hertfordshire.
World Mental Health Day
09 October 2020
Paul continues his blog series to reflect on World Mental Health Day and his own experience ending mental health stigma.
Helping with the worries of a pandemic: Jenny’s story
06 October 2020
For many people living with mobility difficulties or other health issues, the sudden increase of online activities and services available has improved their quality of life. But as restrictions ease, what will be here to stay, and what will return to the old way?
Autumn Highlights Newsletter
Autumn 2020
Your support changes people’s lives every day. We asked them to tell you how. Read the Autumn Highlights Newsletter or download a copy to print at home.
Helping with the worries of a pandemic: Going to back to work
23 September 2020
What can you do if you don’t feel it is safe to go back to work but your employer expects you to return?
Helping with the worries of a pandemic: Is it safe to have workmen come to the house?
22 September 2020
When we’ve spent so long in social isolation, or when a relative has, it can be worrying to think of someone coming into the house to do some work. You might be worried about whether they will bring the virus into your house.
Long Covid: What do we know?
18 September 2020
Many people are experiencing Long Covid – when symptoms of the virus last for months on end. But just what do know about it and how can you treat it?
Helping with the worries of a pandemic: Bethany’s story
15 September 2020
Since March our support line team have been speaking to people who have various worries about life during the Covid-19 pandemic. Here’s the story of how we supported Bethany who was exhausted from constant anxiety and cleaning.
Hertfordshire September Newsletter
10 September 2020
Read the latest newsletter from the team in Hertfordshire.
Helping with the worries of a pandemic: Daniel’s story
08 September 2020
Since March our support line team have been speaking to people who have various worries about life during the Covid-19 pandemic. These have varied from specific practical queries to seemingly unspecific worries. Here’s the story of how we supported Daniel.
GLADS Superheros Colouring Competition
24 August 2020
We are celebrating our incredible staff at GLADS in Oxfordshire and the massive impact they have made during the pandemic with a colouring in competition. Join the colouring in competition and get creative, raise money for Guideposts and win some brilliant prizes.
Dementia Carers Group
21 August 2020
Guideposts is running a monthly virtual Dementia Carers Group. The group is to help raise awareness, give information and support to people whose lives are impacted by dementia.
World Photography Day and Mindfulness
19 August 2020
Today is World Photography Day – an annual celebration of the art of photography. We’re highlighting it this year because we know that creative activities have so many benefits for our mental health!
World Photography Day: The Surprise Garden Visitor
18 August 2020
Recently I decided to clean the patio area within my garden when something small and green started moving towards me! I was unsure as to what this was but as soon as it stopped moving its identity unfolded before me.
Phone Calls, Parcels and Post
11 August 2020
Jane usually works face to face with Guideposts service users in the local community, but when Covid struck she had to figure out how to support and care for her clients from home.
Love on the Spectrum
05 August 2020
Love on the Spectrum is a reality television show following young adults on the autistic spectrum as they try to find that special someone. Our brilliant volunteer Paul shares his thoughts on the programme.
Welcoming You Back To Guideposts’ Services
3 August 2020
We are so pleased to be able to welcome you back to Guideposts’ in person services. Find out which services have reopened and what changes you can expect.
6 Ways We’ve Helped During Lockdown
29 July 2020
As we make the final preparations for reopening we wanted to reflect on some of the thing we have done since the start of the pandemic. So here are 6 things to celebrate!
Cycling around Stevenage
28 July 2020
Carol Le Grand was feeling cooped up in her little flat. So she decided to get on her bike and cycle around Stevenage to chat to and photograph the Guideposts community.
What’s Here to Stay?
22 July 2020
The ‘normal’ world is opening up again after the Coronovirus lockdown. But not everything will go back to how it was. What will go and what is here to stay?
Hertfordshire Newsletter July
10 July 2020
Read the latest newsletter from the team in Hertfordshire.
Co-production Week 2020
06 July 2020
This week is Co-production Week! It’s an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of co-production, share good practice and promote the contribution of people who use services and carers in developing better services.
How Paul Looked After His Wellbeing during Lockdown
01 July 2020
Paul, an incredible Guideposts volunteer, shares how he has looked after his wellbeing during lockdown, from having a routine to getting creative and enjoying nature.
Mental Health and LGBT Awareness in Oxfordshire
23 June 2020
As we celebrate Pride Month, I wanted to take a look back at a few examples of how I have contributed towards mental health and LGBT awareness in Oxfordshire.
Pen Pals in Gloucestershire
22 June 2020
The lockdown has seen an increase in isolation and loneliness, particularly among those who are not able to connect online. But our team in Gloucestershire had a plan to help. They have been connecting children with older people to write letters to each other as pen pals!
Learning Disability Week: Dawn
19 June 2020
As we draw to the close of Learning Disability Week we visit the team in Oxfordshire to hear about our Learning Disability Specialist and GLADS Team Leader, Dawn McCall who has worked with Guideposts for 13 years.
Learning Disability Week: The Hub in Stroud
18 June 2020
This week is Learning Disability Week. Today we hear from James again to find out just what the Community Hub does.
Exploring Oxfordshire from Home
16 June 2020
Many of us are still staying at home and the lack of open public loos makes visits to our favourite places difficult so here are ten ways to see Oxfordshire and get your top-up of history and culture from the comfort of your armchair.
Learning Disability Week: Friendship
15 June 2020
This week, 15 – 21 June is Learning Disability Week. The theme of the week is the importance of friendships during lockdown so we caught up with James who leads our work at our Community Hub in Stroud.
How to Enjoy Music at Home
12 June 2020
Music is great for wellbeing so while we’re still waiting for choirs and other local music groups to start up again, here are some suggestions on how you can take part in musical activities from home.
Witney Mayor Visits Guideposts!
10 June 2020
The new Mayor of Witney came to visit our Outodoor Wellbeing Centre and we were overjoyed to show her around (at a safe 2 meter distance of course) and tell her about the programmes that we run here.
10 Things to Do on a Video Call
09 June 2020
Three months into lockdown and you may need some more inspiration for your video calls! Here are 10 ideas to try out.
Charity of the Year
08 June 2020
The Rotary Club of Witney has chosen Guideposts to be their charity of the year!
Oxfordshire Community Highlights
05 June 2020
Highlights from Guideposts in Oxfordshire. Read the newsletter now or download a copy to print at home.
The Pandemic’s Impact on our Sleep
04 June 2020
The stress and anxiety of the Coronavirus pandemic has impacted our sleep which in turn is hurting our wellbeing.
Volunteers’ Week 2020: Celebrating James Boxer
03 June 2020
This week is Volunteers’ Week, an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering. We wanted to highlight the achievements of an exceptional person, James Boxer.
Trailblazers: They Did It!
28 May 2020
Together 30 people walked 3,540 kms, virtually visiting 47 country gardens and raising a whopping £1,175 and counting to support Guideposts’ community work!
Mental Health and Kindness
21 May 2020
Expert advice and thoughts on the importance on mental health and kindness particularly during a global pandemic from our team at Henry Smith House.
How a pandemic has changed Henry Smith House
20 May 2020
This week is mental health awareness week so we spoke to our team in Watford who run our mental health work at Henry Smith House.
Guideposts Radio Show
14 May 2020
One great way that everyone can join together, no matter where they are, is through the radio so we’ve started the Guideposts Radio Show – an hour of your favourite songs.
Hertfordshire Newsletter
5 May 2020
Connecting you to your community.
Become a Trailblazers
30 April 2020
The Guideposts community are raising vital funds for our much needed community services by walking together around English country gardens. Why not join them and walk your way to wellbeing with the Wellbeing Trailblazers Team?
Inspirational Words
28 April 2020
Ruth is collecting pictures, poems and stories to lift people’s spirits, help them feel supported and cared for in this time of crisis. We caught up with her to find out more about her initiative.
Celebration of Spring Gallery
27 April 2020
To celebrate this wonderful season and the hope it brings in an unsettled time we’re holding an art exhibition. Anyone can join in and your art can be anything you want – as long as your inspiration comes from spring.
Stay Creative: Colourful Elephants
24 April 2020
Guideposts team member, Monika has shared a brilliant creative activity, elephants made from used plastic milk bottles.
Spring Highlights Newsletter
21 April 2020
Your support changes people’s lives every day. We asked them to tell you how. Read the Spring Highlights Newsletter or download a copy to print at home.
The Power of Hope
16 April 2020
Our CEO, Matt Jones, reflects on a trip with his father, new routines and how he has hope in a crisis.
Guideposts in the Midst of Crisis
9 April 2020
Guideposts is a mental health and wellbeing charity. We work to combat loneliness and anxiety – and now more than ever that work is vital.
How to Help Someone who Can’t Access the Internet
7 April 2020
We are all facing unprecedented and difficult times during the coming months, but for people who are unable to access the internet, it will be particularly difficult.
Top Tips on Adjusting to Lockdown
1 April 2020
We are all facing unprecedented and difficult times during the coming months, but for people who are unable to access the internet, it will be particularly difficult.
Coronavirus Information
17 March 2020
At Guideposts we work to combat isolation and anxiety, and improve mental health and wellbeing. Now more than ever these services are vital. While we are operating a little differently, we want to reassure you that we are still very much here for you.
Autumn Highlights Newsletter
Autumn 2019
Your support changes people’s lives every day. We asked them to tell you how. Read the Autumn Highlights Newsletter or download a copy to print at home.
