Covid-19 has changed everything, from the way we work to the type of work we're doing. We may be working from home, furloughed or be a key worker on the front line.

Home life is different too. We may be missing family and friends or perhaps feeling trapped, isolated or afraid and as these uncertain times go on, we may be worrying about our job security and our finances. There’s a lot to worry about and our mental health is under strain.

As trade unionists many of us will be supporting our communities and still be representing our members but we have to remember to look after ourselves too. These Coping with Covid sessions will help you do just that. 

New for 2021 - how to look after your wellbeing as the Covid crisis continues 

We spoke to Pam Heneberry from the Professional Development Centre about how we can look after our wellbeing during 2021. 

In this session Pam talks about:

  • How to cope with changes during the pandemic
  • How to the winter weather can impact your wellbeing
  • How to use mindfulness to reduce anxiety

If you have any questions you would like to ask the trainers after watching the videos please contact Marion Burke on wtuc@tuc.org.uk.

Original Coping with Covid sessions

In 2020 we worked with the Professional Development Centre to produce these bite-sized wellbeing sessions: 

We hope these sessions will give you tools and techniques to help you look after yourself and cope with the challenges of this pandemic. Each lesson includes a short video to watch as well as resources to read and think about.

So, take some time to look after yourself and join and enjoy these Coping with Covid sessions.

Coping with Covid

 

 

Coping with Covid – Self-awareness with Pam Heneberry

Pam Heneberry from the Professional Development Centre shows us how being self-aware can help us make educated and informed decisions.

Spending time and becoming more self-aware is a useful tool in self-development, especially thinking and being aware of:

  • our ideas
  • our thoughts
  • our feelings
  • how we behave in certain situations
  • what our strengths are
  • what our weaknesses are
  • what our talents are

You can also download Pam’s slides accompanying this video.

If you have any questions about this session email us on wtuc@tuc.org.uk

Coping with Covid – Self-coaching with Dr Arthur Turner

Dr Arthur Turner from the Professional Development Centre shares how using self-coaching techniques help us deal with issues, anxieties and challenges in our lives. 

Asking questions of ourselves is an important part of self-coaching:

•    What have I been successful at in the past?
•    What made me successful?
•    How do other people describe me?
•    What gives me energy? (Make a list)
•    What drains my energy? (Make a list)
•    What do I need to let go of?

You can find some more great questions in the practice pack, and Arthur’s slides
If you have any questions about this session email us on wtuc@tuc.org.uk

Coping with Covid Resilience with Pam Heneberry

Pam Heneberry from the Professional Development Centre talks about Resilience; what is it and how can we get more of it?

Pam talks about the 4 C’s that make up Resilience:

  1. Commitment
  2. Control
  3. Challenge
  4. Confidence

You can find some activities to help you become more resilient in the practice pack and in the slides accompanying this talk.

If you have any questions about this session email us on wtuc@tuc.org.uk

Coping with Covid Organising your workspace with David Pardey

David Pardey from the Professional Development Centre shows us how to organise our workspace using the ‘5S’ method:

  1. Sort
  1. Set In order
  1. Shine
  1. Standardise
  1. Sustain

And to these 5, David adds number 6 – Safety

Watch our video and use this handout to organise your home office.

If you have any questions about this session email us on wtuc@tuc.org.uk

Coping with Covid Personal Values with Sally Crompton

Sally Crompton from the Professional Development Centre helps us identify the Values we hold most dearly.

Sally talks about the interplay between our:

  • Beliefs (Things that we know to be true even if we lack proof),
  • Values (The basis of our ethical decision making - what’s right and what’s wrong),
  • Attitudes (How our beliefs and values lead us to assess others and events),

and how, together, they affect our wellbeing and personal development.

She also helps us identify our Values using a handy exercise.

If you have any questions about this session email us on wtuc@tuc.org.uk

Coping with Covid – Managing workload with David Pardey

David Pardey from the Professional Development Centre will help us manage our workload while working from home.

David talks about the different roles we play in our daily lives; parent, employee, member of a team or club, and how we transition between these roles while working from home. He shows us how to create a structured approached to our work, prioritising our tasks by importance and urgency. He urges us to use this time as an opportunity to learn new ways of working to better improve our work-life balance. 

Download the 'Managing your work from home' handout.

If you have any questions about this session email us on wtuc@tuc.org.uk

Coping with Covid Nature – part 2 with Dr Arthur Turner

Dr Arthur Turner from the Professional Development Centre will be helping us to capture the wonder of nature for ourselves.

Arthur explains how taking different views of nature can help us gain perspective. Looking at the broader horizon can help us deal with upcoming threats and challenges. Looking at nature in minute detail, on the other hand, can help us keep calm and gain more perspective over issues in our lives.

Download the slides accompanying this talk.

If you have any questions about this session email us on wtuc@tuc.org.uk

Coping with Covid – Nature – part 1 with Dr Arthur Turner

Dr Arthur Turner from the Professional Development Centre will be talking about how nature can help us think about our own personal development.

Arthur reminds of the importance of nature, appreciating its impact on us. He also introduces the ‘S’-curve and explains how it can help us relate to our learning cycle.

Download this session's slides. The second part of this session looking at nature will be available next week. 

If you have any questions about this session email us on wtuc@tuc.org.uk

Coping with Covid Reflection and Reflexive Practice with Sally Crompton

Reflection 

  • What is it?
  • Why is it important?
  • How do you do it?

Sally Crompton from the Professional Development Centre explains how using the skills of critical reflection can help you to achieve better outcomes for yourself, your colleagues and your organisation.

Download the Reflection and Reflexive practice slides. 

If you have any questions about this session email us on wtuc@tuc.org.uk

Coping with Covid Effective Communication Skills with David Pardey

Suddenly, and for many of us for the first time, we are reliant on technology to ‘intermediate’ our conversations with others. David will help us understand how we can ensure our conversations remain as effective as possible in lockdown.

You can download a handout accompanying David’s video with more information on the Shannon-Weaver model of communication.

If you have any questions about this session email us on wtuc@tuc.org.uk

Coping with Covid  Circle of Influence - Prioritising for Control with Pam Heneberry

Pam introduces you to the Circle of Influence, a practical tool to help you feel more in control. This tactic will help you use your energies wisely and think proactively, rather than reactively, to fight any feelings of being overwhelmed.

Download our Coping with Covid – Circle of Influence resource accompanying this video. We’ve also included a link to The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, as recommended by Pam.

If you have any questions about this session email us on wtuc@tuc.org.uk

Coping with Covid  Walking with Dr Arthur Turner

Walking is not only great exercise but can also help improve mental and physical wellbeing. Arthur explains how regular walking is a good tool for both reflection and stress reduction. He shares some great tips such as noticing your environment during your walk and using facetime to share your walk with a friend or family member.

Download our Coping with Covid – Walking resource accompanying this video. We’ve also included links to Arthur’s book recommendations –The Old Ways by Robert Macfarlane and In Praise of Walking by Shane O'Mara.

If you have any questions about this session email us on wtuc@tuc.org.uk

Coping with Covid Self Talk with Sally Crompton

This session shines a light on our inner voices and how they affect us. Sally will help you identify when your inner voice is a negative one, and how it affects your mental wellbeing. Sally will also give you the tools to challenge negative self-talk so that your inner voice becomes encouraging and supportive.

Download our Coping with Covid – Self Talk resource to find out how to identify and counter negative thoughts. We've also uploaded Sally's PowerPoint presentation. You can also find a link to a recording of Sue Knight's Ted Talk, ‘The Words I Tell Myself’, mentioned by Sally in her presentation. 

If you have any questions about this session email us on wtuc@tuc.org.uk

Coping with Covid  Emotional Intelligence with David Pardey

Significant changes in our lives can cause anxiety and stress. This session looks at how emotions shape our thinking and behaviour. It will also teach you to recognise your emotional state, using this knowledge to take back some control in your life.

Download our Coping with Covid – Emotional Intelligence resource to find out more about emotional intelligence and how our emotions affects us.

If you have any questions about this session email us on wtuc@tuc.org.uk

Coping with Covid  Understanding Emotions with Pam Heneberry

Learn about the Kubler Ross Change Curve - a useful framework for anyone going through any type of undesired change.

Pam will explain how the Kubler Ross Change Curve can help you understand your emotional response in times of change and help you see your emotional response as understandable and human.

Download our Coping with Covid - Understanding Emotions resource to understand more about the Kubler Ross Change Curve. 

If you have any questions about this session email us on wtuc@tuc.org.uk