Safety and Wellbeing: A Guide to Studying and Working from Home | News

At The Learning Foundry, we understand that studying and working from home can be difficult for some people. We want to ensure that all our learners are looked after and feel supported in this new environment, away from their colleagues, friends and tutors. There are important things to look out for when learning and working remotely, and these include E-safety, managing your mental health and wellbeing and utilising available key techniques to keep disciplined and motivated.

 

1. E-Safety (Traineeship Learners Only)

It can’t be underestimated how important it is to ensure you’re on top of your e-safety and are avoiding any pitfalls associated with remote working. We would like to encourage all our learners to be SMART about working from home:

 

 

While the above may seem obvious, it’s important to stay alert to these potential risks!

 

2. Mental Health and Wellbeing

 

 

While we all want to feel great all day every day, there may be times when you may feel a little low. Given the current situation, being away from your friends and colleagues might have you feeling down or isolated and as a result it’s important to try to focus on your mental health and wellbeing.

It’s completely normal if news about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is causing you stress, including:

- changes in sleeping or eating patterns

- fear and worry about your own family’s health

- worsening of chronic health problems 

- increased use of alcohol/smoking 

 

We’ve developed a helpful 5 Ways to Wellbeing in the Home to help you with the feelings of stress and anxiety that news about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) can bring about:

1. Be active – Move, dance, enjoy a home workout (there are loads on YouTube!)
2. Connect with Others – Call or Facetime with your friends
3. Take Notice – Look through your window, listen to sounds around you, be present
4. Keep Learning – Read a book, research something new, watch a documentary
5. Give – Help others who need help. Buy only the food you need!

 

Youngminds.org.uk is a great resource to keep you on top of your mental health game over the coming weeks and months. Again – this is only relevant to younger learners

 

Practicing gratitude is another great thing to do if you’re feeling down:

• At the end of each day, write down 3 things that you are grateful for, no matter how small (hearing a bird sing/a funny joke/your first cuppa of the day)
• Share at least one positive story/message with a friend each day
• Say thank you for the things that others do for you

 

3. Key Techniques for Studying or Working From Home

 

 

Some people find studying easier than others, but there are ways you can ensure you’re putting yourself in the right frame of mind to make the most of your working day or study period:

1. Plan, Plan, Plan - Set aside two-hour blocks for study, be organised and have all the resources you need before you start, paper, pen, laptop, internet connection, books.
2. Drink Water - Stay hydrated as this helps your concentration, stay connected with your assessor/tutor – We are available via text, email, call, teams, Skype and Google Classroom.
3. Seek Help if You Need it - If you get stuck on a question, contact your tutor for support and move to the next question.
4. Ask Your Family - Ask family members to read over your work.
5. Communicate - Communication with family and friends is important while working at home, as long as you and your family are all well, face-to-face interaction at home is important.
6. Take a Break - Have regular breaks from your screen and make time for some treats!

At The Learning Foundry, we fully understand these are unprecedented times, but individually and collectively we can make this period easier for ourselves and for others! We hope you find the above resources and tips useful.

 

Resources and Contact Information

Safeguarding and wellbeing also encompasses other factors, which could be heightened given the current situation, including domestic violence, abuse and neglect and hate crime and The Regenda Group, the parent company of The Learning Foundry, has some very helpful information on this if you’re experiencing issues at this time.

We want all learners to know that should you have any problems with your wellbeing or mental health, please don’t hesitate to contact any of our designated safeguarding leads or mental health first aiders.

 

Designated Safeguarding Leads:

The Learning Foundry safeguarding policy applies to all our learners – apprentices, trainees and AEB. Our aim is to make sure all learners feel safe, happy and secure and your wellbeing is our top priority. We want to ensure you’re equipped with the skills and knowledge to keep you safe. We have a responsibility to safeguard you from abuse or from inadequate care.

Types of abuse could be: Physical, sexual exploitation, emotional, financial, neglect, cyber abuse, discriminatory, domestic violence (this is not an exhausted list).

Please see the contact numbers for our designated safeguarding leads below should you need to speak to them:

 

Gemma Cloney –

Phone: 07489029044 Email: gemma.cloney@thelearningfoundry.co.uk

Kirsty Rothwell –

Phone: 07971313936 Email: Kirsty.Rothwell@thelearningfoundry.co.uk

Jo Reynolds –

Phone: 07971313914 Email: Joanne.Reynolds@thelearningfoundry.co.uk

 

Mental Health First Aiders:

The Learning Foundry Mental Health First Aiders have an in-depth knowledge of mental health problems that learners may encounter and are trained to spot triggers. They are here to support any learners that are struggling with their mental health or their wellbeing. The Learning Foundry believe that mental health should be openly discussed and supported. With a lot of people now working from home, people may start to feel lonely and isolated and could have a dip in mental health. The Learning Foundry Mental Health First Aiders are there to support learners and can sign post to further support services:

 

Linda Reid –

Phone: 07971 316758  Email: linda.reid@thelearningfoundry.co.uk