Bristol Mum Launches Online Meditation Class For Shielding Parents

A Bristol mum has been putting her time to good use, while on furlough, by running free online classes for new and expectant mums who have received government advice they should be shielding during the coronavirus pandemic.

Kate Jay, Assistant Sales Director at Apex Hotels in Bath, has been teaching antenatal classes online as well as running free pregnancy relaxation and postnatal relaxation sessions every week using Zoom.

Kate Jay said: “It’s a strange and potentially scary time to be pregnant or have recently welcomed a new baby into the family, so this is my way of supporting women in my community.

“I learnt so much about meditation and the importance of relaxation during my own pregnancies a few years ago, so I wanted to share this knowledge with mums across Bristol and Somerset at this challenging time.”

Kate has developed her free wellness advice service with relaxation classes that are suitable for all people, not just new mums and mothers to be and has begun to deliver these classes, online, last week. Each session takes users through breathing, mindfulness and relaxation tips to relax the mind and body.

Kate says: “Mental health is so important, more so now. If I can gift someone 20 minutes of escapism through relaxation, I will be very happy.”

Since being furloughed in late March, Kate has been balancing her charitable work with looking after her two young sons, while her partner continues to work full time as a key worker to ensure private hospitals can support NHS hospitals during the current crisis.

She also takes part in the local ‘Drug Run.’ A collaboration involving local GPs, pharmacies and community running group: This Mum Runs. Volunteers collect prescriptions and medication to deliver to vulnerable people. Kate described her first run, which involved delivering a SATs machine for someone to monitor their blood oxygen levels at home, as: “a very hot, sweaty, uphill run - but so worth it.”

Angela Vickers, chief executive officer at Apex Hotels, said: “While it’s difficult not having our wonderful staff in work at the moment, it is marvellous to see generosity like Kate’s during this challenging time. Her tenacity in helping others is admirable and I’m sure her online classes have been a lifeline to many in the local area, providing a space for them to relax and share their commonalities.”

Apex staff, including those on furlough, are also able to access free mental health support as part of the hospitality group’s employee benefits package.