Reaching Back to Those Who Reach Out – Healing Hands and FAB

Hummingbird’s volunteer work with the Healing Hands Network and FAB Camp

 

As well as providing clients with effective and restorative treatments, I am very passionate about giving back to the community.

Since Hummingbird’s conception, I have been fortunate enough to take part in a number of volunteer projects in the UK and internationally. Handily, both charities that I work closely with dove-tail beautifully into each other!

 

To those who reach out – someone will always reach back

 

Before I explain about Healing Hands and FAB, let me explain the title of this blog.

To every single one of my clients, or to those thinking about embarking on a self care journey that includes support from Hummingbird, you are amazing. It takes courage to admit when we need help and it is humbling to support you on your healing journey (I know this sounds very fluffy, but it is a process, and a journey nonetheless).

Each person who is featured in the videos or photos of this blog, has taken that first step in recognising they can’t do it alone. There is no shame in asking for help; in fact it is the opposite – it is brave, courageous and shows incredible tenacity and determination to overcome a metaphorical bump in the road or entire traffic diversion. Total admiration and credit to everyone featured.

It may take a while to realise when help is needed, and that is ABSOLUTELY OKAY! But when a person is ready to ask, to reach out for help or  support, someone will reach back. With both charities, the uniting theme is love, unconditional positive regard, and compassion. There is someone in that organisation to support and help one every step of the journey. Inspirational.

 

Self Care vs Self Destruct

 

In the closing frame of the Healing Hands video, Peter, who was one of the volunteers during my two week tour in Bosnia, explains how war destroys people and those destroyed people begin to destroy those around them, unless some healing takes place.

Granted, this is an extreme example of how people’s emotions have a snowball effect on loved ones. However…

When a person feels stressed or overwhelmed, they can become destructive: relationships become strained, performance at work falls, and let’s not even talk about the lack of sleep and the effect that has. Feelings of not coping or inadequacy can sometimes lead to self harm, intrusive or suicidal thoughts. This tormented existence, even if they try to “cope” by themselves, can overspill and begin to leech into the lives of ones who care about them. Unless some healing takes place.

Taking time to relax and recover for your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing is essential to help prevent the proverbial lid blowing off the pressure cooker. It is each person’s sole responsibility to take care of themselves, which in turn protects those around them. I say it so often, in an aeroplane you are told to put your own oxygen mask on before helping others – why should daily life be any different?

Self care can take many forms, such as going for some complementary therapy treatments, seeking help from a counsellor, exercising more, eating more healthily, what ever shape your self care takes – do it! Make it a habit, part of your routine, a non-negotiable element of your day or week.

Be aware and receptive to help when it’s offered, rather than being fiercely independent and put the blinkers on – this helps no one. Trust me… I have tried to be the “strong, independent woman who needs no one and no help”, but let me tell you – this does not work. So take it from me, graciously accept help when it’s given – it makes life much easier and happier!

 

Healing Hands Network

 

The Healing Hands Network is a charity that supports survivors of war. They have a number of UK and international projects to offer support to anyone who needs it by providing Complementary Therapies.

In 2019, Hummingbird went on tour to Sarajevo, Bosnia.

The effect of the war in Yugoslavia is still very much tangible today as it was back then. Many buildings still bear the scars of bullets, the pavements are littered with Sarajevo Roses (pavements damaged by mortar shells filled with red resin), and the people carry physical, mental, emotional, spiritual scars from the conflict.

It was a true privilege to treat survivors of the war in the Sarajevo clinic and outreach centres. Despite the language barrier, the universal human connection of healing touch through massage and Reflexology had visibly positive effects. Each client walked away from their treatment feeling happier, and the burden of the horrors they witnessed felt easier to bear.

(video credit to Radar Film)

 

FAB Family Forever

 

FAB MPS (Families’ Activity Breaks) is a UK charity who supports bereaved military families. The volunteers who are currently serving in the military or ex-military give up a week of their time to support families on a residential week of fun and adventure to help remind parents and children they are allowed to laugh and be happy again despite the ubiquitous presence of pain in the absence of a loved one.

I was lucky enough to be invited to the residential week with FAB in Keswick this year to provide relaxation treatments to the bereaved families. It was a week of pushing everyone out of their comfort zone, growing, laughing, crying, bonding, and absolute nourishment for mind, body and soul.

You know it’s been a week well spent when you have personally smashed through: 25 treatments, plus…. Canoeing, paddle boarding, ghyll scrambling, climbing, archery, high ropes, Tarzan swings, mountain walking, and let’s not forget the magic of Alpacaly Ever After – the alpaca walking!

(video credit to Alpacaly Ever After: https://alpacalyeverafter.co.uk)

The Take-Home Message

 

Please, please, please protect your self care time. Admirable though we think it is to soldier on when the chips are down and be resilient alone, it helps no one. You will feel worn down and burnt out.

Remember to reach out if you need help, someone will be sure to reach back and give you the helping hand you need. In my experience, I have found that accepting help when it’s given, definitely speeds up recovery and getting me back on an even keel. You do not have to walk this journey alone.

Be kind to yourself,

Katy x

(and Stevie Wonder the alpaca!)