Wellbeing that Works

Deep inside, most people have everything they need to do what is right for them for their total wellbeing. However, they don’t always have the right tools, experience, guidance and encouragement to be able to access these inner resources. Simple things can make a real difference, but simple does not always mean easy.

Many of you know better than any statistics can illustrate, the challenges that face society around wellbeing and, in particular, around mental and emotional wellbeing. Fresh Air Fridays offers a bespoke, effective and workable solution to this.

The Five Ways to Wellbeing are evidence based and a really useful framework but, until they are translated into what that means in real life for each individual, they make no difference. On our programmes, we share simple tools and explore different themes,  allowing people to understand what each of these ideas means for them. All of our programmes are run in groups outside in the nearest green space to where people are. We use a coaching approach, along with mindfulness, relaxation and gratitude practices. Rather than being told what to do, participants experience these for themselves.

Space, support and skills

All our programmes create space for people to explore different aspects of their lives and teach tools and techniques that support mental and emotional wellbeing. In the safe, structured spaces we create, attendees connect to nature, themselves, and each other.

Being out in nature helps us become more relaxed and more resourceful. Walking enables us to access both sides of our brain and there is a significant body of research showing that being in green spaces, and particularly amongst trees, is good for our wellbeing. We really do take you outside so you feel good on the inside!

Our programmes

The programmes have been developed through research into what works to support wellbeing along with Ruth’s and Rose’s 30+ years in education, coaching and self-development. Programmes are designed to be easily accessible to participants, who are encouraged to integrate the practices they experience into their daily life. Being part of a group and the connection that creates strengthens the learning experience.

People who participate in our programmes gain a ‘toolbox’ for life with skills and techniques to support their wellbeing. They are able to take personal responsibility and feel more resilient. We see them connect with themselves and with others. When we have come back to speak to people, in some cases several years later, they report sustaining long term change with the habits they gained over the 3 month programme.

Our outcomes

On the 12 week programmes we measure everything using both the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) as well as qualitative evaluations. Having refined programmes over the last 3 years, we are confident the outcomes participants obtain mean they are of significant value to building mental and emotional wellbeing.

Participants report feeling more happiness, less stress, they experience better relationships, no more anxiety, better health, greater clarity of thought and improved leadership.

Our work changes lives for the better – you can see what some of our recent participants had to say about our Wellbeing that Works programme here.

We all of us need 3 things in order to be responsible for our wellbeing; space, support and skills. Fresh Air Fridays provides all three and much more besides, in every session.

Take a look at our Products and Services page for more information about our programmes.

If you like the sound of what we do, contact us and let’s see how we might work together;

Telephone: 02920 892 783

Email: info@freshairfridays.co.uk

Find out how Fresh Air Fridays could benefit your business or organisation.

Co-directors

Ruth and Rose are co-creating a business that supports the mental and emotional wellbeing of people across the country. They are doing this by building a community of facilitators to deliver the programme in businesses and communities.

You can find out more about these remarkable people by visiting their pages; Ruth and Rose.

Our mission

Our Purpose: to positively impact people’s wellbeing now and for future generations and influence wellbeing policy and practice.

Our Vision: Fresh Air Fridays is a well known and respected resource for people to access the skills, support and space they desire to support them in their own wellbeing.

Our Values: as an organisation Fresh Air Fridays values

• Community and connection
• Openness and honesty
• Acceptance and trust
• Freedom, choice and fun

Testimonials

Below are real examples of just some of the transformations people experience as a direct result of their participation with the Fresh Air Fridays programmes (please note for privacy names have been changed).

Amber felt that she could not do her job. She was missing targets and felt inadequate. Her relationship with her manager was poor and she felt angry and defensive towards many of her colleagues. As Amber began to be aware of her self-talk she started to look after herself better. She saw that she had a choice in how she was and she began to chose to behave differently. Amber started to respond to people differently. By the time she had finished the programme, she described herself as buoyant. Amber enjoyed her job now and looked forward to coming into work.

Peter was very shy, a really nice guy but very quiet. He had a technical role in his company. When Peter came on one of our programmes he was blown away by hearing what other people shared about themselves and seeing how they often felt the way he did. It was very helpful for him to hear others express feelings and experiences that were similar to his own. By the end of the programme he felt much more part of the team and much more comfortable communicating with others.

David had been in his job a while and recently it had changed. He was very upset about it and was angry with everyone. He knew his rights and he was fighting for them. It appeared this was spilling over to all aspects of his life. David was cross with his neighbours and always worrying about parking. At the end of the Fresh Air Fridays programme his manager came up to the facilitator and said “I have no idea what you have done to him, but I used to avoid him and now he is a pleasure to work with. It has changed the atmosphere in the whole office.” When we spoke to David he explained that he knew how to relax now and he had a plan moving forward. Everyone was much happier and it was providing the space and structure for David to find his own answers that achieved that.

Tammy had lost confidence when she and her husband divorced. What the 12 week programme gave her was the confidence to start really living her life again. She fully raised her game in work and applied for her first stand up comedy gig.

Adele spent a lot of time mentally beating herself up. She was her own worst critic. She always strived to do her best but she rarely felt that her best was good enough. By becoming a member of Fresh Air Fridays and attending sessions regularly she found that she was able to be less hard on herself. Instead of asking whether things were right or wrong Adele began to ask herself “is this serving me or is this not serving me?” After a few months Adele became more relaxed, she was far happier in all she did, her relationships improved and she had more fun.

Tim worked hard at his business. Sometimes it was easier to work hard than be at home. His marriage was OK but not what it used to be and there was some stuff that he and his wife chose not to talk about. The space that he found by coming on our sessions enabled him to once again create great times with his wife, enabling them to rebuild the relationship they used to have.