Shali Wellbeing

Mental health issues are on the rise, driven by stress, long working hours, and a lack of self-care. The COVID-19 pandemic has only heightened anxiety and health issues across society.

Declining physical health, particularly in advanced years is also a concern. Falls are one of the most common causes of hospital admissions among older adults in the UK. According to the NHS, falls cost the health system a significant amount each year, both directly through hospital admissions and treatments, and indirectly through long-term care costs due to injury-related disabilities. The total estimated cost of falls to the NHS and social care services is around £2.3 billion annually in the UK. (NHS England, 2024)

At Shali Wellbeing CIC, we recognise the shortfall of funding for mental health in communities, particularly in communities, schools and care homes. This is where we focus our efforts—initially promoting and delivering short workshops. These workshops aim to educate individuals about the benefits of Meditation and Tai Chi, helping them improve and sustain their mental and physical well-being with regular practice.

Meditation is a transformative practice for fostering mindfulness, relaxation, and mental clarity. By concentrating on the breath or a calming point of focus, meditation helps the mind unwind, easing stress and encouraging a profound sense of peace. Practiced regularly, meditation can improve focus, emotional resilience, and mental well-being, while also supporting physical health by lowering blood pressure, alleviating chronic pain, and enhancing immune function.

Just 10 minutes of daily meditation can boost emotional balance, increase self-awareness, and provide practical tools for managing anxiety and negative thoughts. This simple yet powerful practice offers numerous benefits for both mind and body, empowering individuals to approach life with calm, focus, and positivity.

Recent research has shown that even brief, daily meditation over four weeks can reduce negative moods, improve attention, working memory, and recognition memory, and decrease state anxiety. The study also suggests that meditation promotes better emotional regulation and that short daily sessions may have similar effects to longer, more intense meditation practices (Source: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30153464).

Tai Chi is a gentle, mind-body practice with deep roots in ancient China, known for its slow, flowing movements, mindful breathing, and meditative qualities. This graceful form of exercise offers not only physical benefits but also supports mental and spiritual well-being.

The advantages of Tai Chi are extensive. Physically, it enhances balance, flexibility, and muscle strength. Mentally, it helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, while promoting cognitive function, memory, and focus. Practicing Tai Chi regularly can bring a profound sense of calm, balance, and overall wellness.

Tai Chi is especially valued as a beneficial exercise for older adults, helping reduce the risk of falls—a common health concern among seniors. Falls can lead to serious injuries, like fractures or hip replacements. As we age, balance, coordination, and strength tend to decline, increasing fall risk. However, Tai Chi’s controlled movements and focus on stability and muscle strength help improve these areas, making it an effective way to support physical resilience and reduce the likelihood of falls.

Alison likes to use Qigong (pronounced ‘chee-gong) which can be practiced by people of all ages and fitness levels due to its gentle, accessible nature.

We provide supplementary services, including:

Person-Centered Therapy - Person-centered therapy is a humanistic approach that empowers individuals to explore their own thoughts and feelings in a safe and supportive environment.

The therapist creates a non-judgmental space where you can express yourself freely, gain self-awareness, and develop your own solutions. This therapy focuses on your unique experiences and goals, helping you unlock your potential for personal growth.

Clinical Supervision in the Workplace - Clinical supervision is a formal process of support, reflection, learning, and development for professionals. It provides a safe space for individuals to discuss their work and/or homelife (which could be impacting work), receive feedback, and improve their skills and knowledge. This can include analysing, discussing ethical dilemmas, and exploring personal and professional development goals. Clinical supervision is essential for maintaining high standards of working practice and ensuring the well-being all round.

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) - EFT, also known as tapping, is a self-help technique that combines elements of acupuncture and psychology. It involves tapping on specific acupressure points while focusing on negative emotions or physical sensations.

EFT can help reduce stress, anxiety, and pain, and promote overall well-being.

Occupational Therapy Support - Occupational therapy helps people of all ages participate in the activities they want to do, need to do, and love to do.  Therapists assess your abilities and challenges, then work with you to develop strategies and techniques to overcome obstacles.

Occupational therapy can address a wide range of needs, including physical rehabilitation, cognitive skills development, and mental health support.

All services are tailored to enhance physical and emotional well-being. Our holistic approach ensures that each person continues to receive personalised care.

Cognitive Assessments - Using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Tool (MoCA), Alison can complete an assessment that can indicate levels of cognitive dysfunction, This is not a complete diagnostic tool for cognitive dysfunction such as dementia, and will require a formal diagnosis from a GP/Specialist.

Advanced Assessment and Treatment Strategies for People with Insomnia - through recognising the presence of sleep disturbances in clients, Alison can provide strategies to help manage sleeping problems more effectively.