As a Trust, Oxford Health not only seeks to support and enhance the experiences of its patients and staff but also recognises and greatly values the carers, family members and friends of our service users.

Over the past six months, Oxford Health Charity has been delighted to support the wellbeing of carers across the Trust through funding monthly, one-hour meditation sessions. Organised by Di Hilson, the Carers Lead for Oxford Health, these events have been delivered FREE to all carers of our service users as well as any staff members who are, themselves, carers.

The sessions have been an opportunity for these remarkable individuals to stop and take a moment to consider their own health and wellbeing – to remember that taking time out to take care of themselves is as important as looking after the person(s) they care for. As Di Hilson commented,

In today’s stressful world, meditation is no more a luxury, it is a necessity. The rest in meditation is deeper than the deepest sleep. When the mind becomes free from agitation, is calm and at peace, meditation happens…A calm mind, good concentration, clarity of perception, improvement in communication, blossoming of skills and talents, an unshakeable strength, relaxation, and rejuvenation are all natural results of meditating regularly.

One of the carers who joined a recent session explained,

Being a carer comes with many challenges, giving ourselves the time and space to relax and just be, is difficult, there is always so much to be done. And yet, it is important that we make time to re-charge the batteries, so we can be calmer and continue to do the important job we all do.

I highly recommend joining the monthly meditation sessions for carers with Hina. Hina has such a calming, gentle way of being and her way of talking us through the exercises is so easy to follow. I always feel so much more at peace with myself and the world during those sessions and that sense continues afterwards too. Hina teaches us to appreciate body and mind, to re-connect with self. I try to fit in mindfulness  sessions into my days anyway, and have to say it is so much easier in a friendly group. I look forward to the sessions, and make it a space to nurture self – which is also an important job for carers, sadly self-care can get forgotten in our hectic lives of being there for others. Sometimes we have to do something special for ourselves too. It matters that we look after ourselves as well.

I would really encourage everyone to find out for yourselves how beneficial these sessions are to our wellbeing. 

Following the success of the first wave of these charity-funded meditation sessions, the Oxford Health Charity team are pleased to announce that we have recently provided funding for these vital sessions to continue over the next 6 months. As before, they will be delivered FREE and are open to all carers of our service users across the Trust as well as staff members who are carers.

Event Details:

Delivery method: Microsoft Teams

Time: 9:30am-10:30am

Day: the first Thursday of every month – sessions start 3rd August

Session lead: a meditation instructor

If you meet the attendance criteria above, then why wait? Book your place today via: [email protected].