Posted on: 8 July 2022
On Thursday 7 July, comedian and mental health advocate Ruby Wax joined the One Community crew as a volunteer to practice mindfulness with patients and staff on Thames and Ganges wards at St Charles Mental Health Centre.
Ruby instantly created an open and relaxing atmosphere, taking participants through the science of how their brains and bodies respond to stress. She spoke about the stresses of modern life and the ‘chatter we can often find inside our heads’ before inviting everyone to practice some techniques.
These were designed to help people remain in the present, even for a minute or two, and notice how that feels compared to worrying about the future. Ruby’s techniques continued to gently guide everyone back and forth between their thoughts and their senses to help them stay in the present.
Those attending praised the ‘air of togetherness’ that Ruby helped to create. Whenever visiting, she talks frankly about her own experiences including her recent bout of depression and will invite others to do the same.
Many participants were moved to write and thank Ruby for her “authenticity and understanding” and her rejection of “preconceived judgements.” One person said: “the mindfulness has no agenda; it was really touching and I felt understood.”
One Community Founder, Cate Latto, said: “what really struck me, as it always does with Ruby, is how easy and relaxed people are in her company. We feel like she is very much a part of our One Community crew and that she enjoys sharing time with us. People feel heard and she has a curiosity for people that is refreshing and inspiring.”
“I am very grateful to have found Ruby. She has helped me to understand mindfulness as a method of finding ‘a way that works for you’. It’s about practice and it can help us tap into the power of our own minds.”
Ruby will be back with One Community next week to deliver practice with people from Danube and Amazon wards, before returning to Bay 20 next Friday.
See below just some of the wonderful feedback patients had for Ruby.
