En Voyage - Issue #8

En Voyage
ELAINE WYLLIE
DANDELION FOUDATION FOUNDERS JOCK PETTITT AND MARC WINN
disruptive innovators. How would the
system respond to change? My intentions
were always good: who could not support
a movement to dramatically improve our
community’s mental health, and ultimately
save taxpayers money? After two years
of Thrive 2020, I felt that we had built
enough support from the community,
the Health & Social Care Committee,
and our government, that I could stand
up as a citizen and doctor and lead with
confidence. It is still a highly aspirational
idea – to “solve” mental health – but if
anywhere can do it, I believe Guernsey can.’
It’s exciting to see how many initiatives
have arisen following Thrive 2020. MUG
Men’s Shed is in the process of being
created by dedicated volunteers; based on
the successful UK Men’s Sheds Association
and inspired by a talk by Patrick Abrahams
at Thrive 2016, it will offer a place for men
to share skills and social interaction. Mental
Health First Aid (MHFA) was introduced
by Sue Hayward at the second event, and
MHFA training courses are now being
offered by Guernsey Mind to businesses
and individuals alike. After Dr Melrose
Stewart’s talk on her involvement in the
Channel 4 documentary Nursing Home
for 4 Year Olds, numerous nursing homes
and preschools are working out how to
join forces. The online Guernsey Recovery
Community Group was set up by patients
and staff in partnership, enabling people
to connect and support each other in
mental health and addiction recovery, and
has nearly a thousand members to date.
Shifts in States policy are underway: as
well as the launch of the Mental Health
and Wellbeing Strategy in 2017, the new
Bailiwick education curriculum has been
implemented to promote ‘joyous and
purposeful learning’. People have been
inspired by the speakers to take on their
own projects for the benefit of the whole
island. There are a number of charities,
social movements and other initiatives soon
to be revealed, all inspired by Thrive 2020.
The Dandelion Foundation reminds us
that we don’t need permission to make our
community happier and healthier. One of
the most popular talks at the 2017 event was
by Elaine Wyllie, who introduced the Daily
Mile to schools. Children doing a Daily Mile
in school demonstrated improved fitness,
learning and behaviour. This simple yet
effective initiative has already been adopted
by many Guernsey schools, without the
need for a government directive. Marc,
Greg and Jock have brought in world
resources to inspire us and show us the
way, but making a real difference at a
community level depends on us taking up
the baton, not waiting for government to
provide the resources or lead the way. ‘We
exist to motivate, inspire and accelerate
the process of change,’ says Marc. The
community revolution has already started,
can you help make a difference?
Find out more at dandelion.gg and
thrive2020.org. All the talks from October
2017 can be accessed via thrive2020.org.
36 En Voyage | Aurigny’s Magazine