WATCH CIO

01/11/2026

🍂 Hello, November. Let’s make a little more room for wellbeing.

This month brings several invitations for reflection including International Stress Awareness Week (2–6 November) and Self-Care Week (16–22 November), with its theme of Mind & Body.

Throughout November, we’ll be exploring what supportive peer mentoring relationships can offer to support our everyday stress management and self-care.

Mental health challenges don’t always disappear because we start a new month, rather with time, support and greater awareness, we can get better at recognising what we need and finding ways to manage the difficult days.

This means paying attention to what we need to protect our best selves - not another list to get perfectly right — just small, realistic steps, shaped around your life.

And self-care doesn’t mean doing everything alone. Knowing when to ask for help matters too.

💚 Want to take a next step? Email [email protected] to find out more about our free (to Somerset residents) Connect to Wellbeing course. It could be the best thing you make more space for this November.

31/10/2026

As the seasons turn, we remember the power of connection. 🍂🔥

In a recent Peer Pathways meeting, a member reminded us that Samhain is an ancient Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter.

Traditionally, it was a time for people to gather, share food and stories, light fires, remember those who had gone before, and face the darker season together.

Over time, these traditions became woven into Halloween overshadowing Samhain’s deeper invitation to pause, remember and gather in community.

At WATCH CIO, those themes feel especially meaningful. Intentional Peer Support is rooted in connection, mutuality and hope. Rather than facing difficult times alone, we come alongside one another, learn through shared experience and create space for new possibilities.

Like the turning of the seasons, our lives are always changing. Samhain offers a moment to honour what has been, let go of what no longer serves us, and step towards what comes next—with curiosity, courage and community.

This Samhain, perhaps we can each ask:
• What do I want to honour?
• What am I ready to release?
• What new possibility could I nurture?
• Who can I connect with along the way?

No one should have to walk through the darker seasons alone. 🧡
Join our free (to all Somerset residents) course focusing on peer connection. https://watchproject.org.uk/events/connect-to-wellbeing-4-week-course/

30/10/2026

Sometimes the kindest thing we can offer isn’t an answer. It’s our attention.

Following our earlier piece thinking about the person-centred approach and Rogers’ potato anecdote, we’ve been reflecting on empathy—and how we make room for one another to grow.

Empathy means listening without judgment, resisting the urge to fix, and making room for someone’s feelings—even when we can’t change their circumstances.

We don’t need perfect words to help someone feel less alone. We need to be willing to stay beside them. Watch Brené Brown’s thoughtful short https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw

Want to take a step towards empathy in peer connection? Join the Connect to Wellbeing course, starting on 17th November. Email [email protected] for more information

When have you felt truly listened to—and how could you offer that same empathy to someone this week? We’d love to hear from you - if you want to share your comments below.

What is the best way to ease someone's pain and suffering? In this ...

28/10/2026

27/10/2026

Happy Mentor Day! 🎉

Today we celebrate every mentor who shares their time, experience and encouragement to help others thrive.

While we appreciate all mentors, we have a special place in our hearts for peer mentors, building relationships based on shared experience, and mutual understanding.

Peer mentors are relatable, bring honest conversation, two-way learning and support.

Peer mentors truly understand the journey.

Here’s to all mentors—and especially the peers who listen, encourage and grow alongside us. 💙

If you want to know more about peer mentoring, take a course or get involved www.watchproject.org.uk

26/10/2026

What can a potato teach us about being human?

Carl Rogers, one of the most influential psychotherapists of the 20th century, grew up on a farm in Illinois. He later recalled potatoes stored in a dark cellar, sending pale spindly shoots towards a tiny window.

Those potatoes were unlikely to flourish, but they still reached for the light. Rogers used this image to describe our natural drive towards growth—even when circumstances are far from ideal.

Like potatoes, people need the right conditions to thrive. In the person-centred approach, those conditions are the ‘core conditions’ and include empathy, unconditional positive regard and congruence—in everyday language: feeling heard, accepted and met with honesty.

Over later posts, we’ll take a closer look at each of these conditions, what they can mean in everyday life and why they are so important to our WATCH values and peer mentor support.

So, if you find a forgotten potato making a determined bid for freedom in the back of the cupboard, take a moment to admire its optimism. Then perhaps make chips. 🥔

Want to explore this further? Join our Connect to Wellbeing course, starting 17 November. Email [email protected] for details.

26/10/2026

Just a few more days left to apply for this great role!...

Watch ( Bridges to Wellbeing project) has an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Financial Resilience Support Worker. This can be two part time or one full time post on a fixed term contract until April 2029. Do you want to help people in financial crisis find the support they need? If you are experienced at giving information, advice and support to people in crisis, we'd like to hear from you. You will provide practical, person-centred support to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship, crisis or who are at risk of financial instability. For the full job description and an application form contact us at [email protected] or see our website https://watchproject.org.uk/ Closing date Thursday 29th October at midday.

25/10/2026

STOP PRESS - Farm Trip tomorrow is cancelled - apologies. Too much weather.

24/10/2026

Don’t forget, the clocks go back this Sunday, 25 October.

As the days become shorter and darker, some people notice changes in their mood, energy levels or motivation. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

We offer support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure that anyone struggling with poor mental health can access the right support at the right time.

💛 Mindline Somerset: If you need a friendly voice, our confidential telephone service is ready to listen day or night. Call anytime on 01823 276892 or freephone 0800 138 1692.

💛 Crisis Safe Space: When things feel really overwhelming, you don’t have to endure it alone. You can arrange a one-to-one session—face-to-face, by phone, or virtually—to help you through distressing times. Ring the numbers above or visit: https://bit.ly/crisis-safe-space-somerset

💛 Live Chat: If you prefer not to talk on the phone, our Live Web Chat is available every day at https://bit.ly/omh-website

22/10/2026

Join the Chard Dads group for some footie tomorrow! All dads and male carers are welcome to come along to the Holyrood Academy astro for a relaxed kickabout from 7pm to 8pm. 💚💜💛