Mindful Gifts CIC has a new volunteer, published award-winning Poet, Ellis Robinson Aka Ellis Unchained. Ellis, an ex-infantry soldier, served in the Mercian regiment and deployed to Afghanistan, op Herrick 19. Upon his return and transition into civilian life, he was diagnosed with PTSD and OCD. Life became too much for him, to the point he felt a change was needed and decided to take his treatment into his own hands, with the guidance of Birmingham veterans mental health service. Ellis understands that he is not out of the woods of yet but recognizes how far he has come. Ellis publishes all his poems, articles and short stories on his website. His debut poetry anthology can also be found here: https://www.unchainedwisdom.com/ Ellis would like for anyone struggling with mental health or even just struggling with life, to come and have a chat with him at Mindful Gifts CIC. He quotes, ‘The world can be a dark place, only a fragment of light is needed to create a beacon of hope, I found it so everyone can.’ A fight against mental health starts within us, come visit Mindful Gifts CIC and see if this could be the start of a new story for you.

HALF PRICE SALE SATURDAY 29 AUGUST 2020 AT OUR MINDFUL GIFTS CIC SHOP IN DARLASTON, on flea market items, vintage items, DON'T MISS OUT! Remember your face masks! www.mindfulgifts.co.uk

Did you know that in July Mindful Gifts CIC gave away over £1000 worth of free activities to care homes that visited our shop in Darlaston. The care homes included Rushall Care Home, Island Court, Harper Villas, Crossways Kelvedon House, Bloxwich Hospital, Oakwood Lodge, Bartholemew Lodge, Greenleigh and Deighton Court. The activities will help to keep residents minds busy and promt memories. www.mindfulgifts.co.uk

Wearing a face covering lowers the risk of spreading Covid-19 to others through speaking and coughing, new research suggests. Speaking and coughing without face protection exposes people nearby to droplets carrying the virus that could otherwise be stopped by wearing a mask, according to the study. Researchers found someone standing two metres from a coughing person with no mask is exposed to 10,000 times more droplets than someone half a metre from someone coughing and wearing a covering. ‘Therefore, wearing a face mask can really make a difference’ and we have a duty to protect other people as well ourselves.