Whale Arts service user Michelle Roxburgh is pictured in one of the doodling classes with Live the Good Stuff’s mascot Doogie Goodstuff
Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network (ESEN) has partnered with WHALE Arts and MHScot Workplace Wellbeing to add some social enterprise sparkle to January with its Live the Good Stuff campaign and mega doodling session at WHALE Arts.
Mondays in January are now recognised as a low spot in the calendar and a good time to consider health and well-being activities. A number of Edinburgh’s social enterprises have geared up to focus on ways to re-invigorate this seasonal lull in motivation. Doogie Goodstuff, ESEN’s mascot staged a mega doodle colouring in session at WHALE Arts‘ smART Craft group yesterday, as an example of how to help people deal with the January Monday Blues.
Whale Arts service users (from left) Gary Stewart, Kenneth Richie and Michelle Roxburgh are pictured with Live the Good Stuff’s mascot Doogie Goodstuff lending a hand
Live the Good Stuff is a campaign to promote Edinburgh’s many health and wellbeing social enterprises, one of which is MHScot Workplace Wellbeing which focuses on stress prevention and early mental health intervention in the workplace. And research from the charity Mind** – outlines that 1 in 6 workers, right now, are experiencing mental health difficulties such as stress, depression and/or anxiety and costs to businesses/organisations averaging £554 per person per year.
Commenting on the return to work and routine after a long festive break, Catherine Eadie, Workplace Wellbeing Consultant said:
There are many combined factors that can make those January Mondays a difficult prospect – everything from health issues, work and financial stress, childcare and caring concerns whilst fitting in some time to keep fit. Finding some tranquil time in the mix is very often the last thing to think about and applies to everyone whether they are working or not.
Catherine added:
It takes time to work out the best plan of action but an easy step is to find a pastime that is simple to set up and a welcome distraction which can make all the difference whether it is walking, bird-watching, reading or creative colouring.
Linsay Chalmers, Network Coordinator at Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network added:
We have a growing number of social enterprises in Edinburgh supporting people in the city to improve their physical and mental wellbeing, from pregnancy care through to stress management and healthy eating
Commenting on the group doodle activity David Henderson, Enterprise Manager, WHALE Arts said:
The staff and participants have all contributed to the group doodle activity today, really bringing the team together. There was a definite feeling of being more relaxed and mindful. Every organisation could benefit from a half hour doodle session a day to lift the mood in January.
Whale Arts service user Damian McLean is pictured with Live the Good Stuff’s mascot Doogie Goodstuff
There are over 200 social enterprises trading in Edinburgh, from cafes and retail, to creative industries and leisure – generating income and reinvesting their profits into the community for social or environmental benefits.
