Introducing Mindfulness with Future Generations Commissioner’s Team and Leadership Academy
A chance conversation can sometimes have unexpected impact proving how our interconnected networks in Wales can contribute to Nurturing Mindful Communities. Mindfulness Wales and the team of the Future Generations Commissioner of Wales were connected by a Welsh Government colleague and during the conversation we arranged to offer the 3 session Introducing Mindfulness course developed by the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation to staff and participants in the Future Generations Leadership Academy. The Academy is a young persons’ programme, offering leadership development to 18-30 year olds from various organisations in Wales.
An enthusiastic group took part in September 2024 and have taken away their skills, understanding and experience to sow the seeds of mindfulness in their personal lives and with their colleagues. We’re hoping these seeds will grow and contribute to nurturing mindful communities in public service in Wales.
Participants said:
“I liked the focusing on parts activity and listing things I’m grateful for! Nice, subtle things to do at my desk when overwhelmed.”
“I LOVE the grounding exercises, which were new info to me, and practice your advice: when I feel tension in my back, I focus on the lower half of my body, mostly belly and legs work for me, and the next thing I know is the tension has calmed down.”
“Absolutely brilliant also to remind ourselves of nature and looking out the window when we are mindful and in the present moment. Fantastic techniques. I hope you will be happy to hear I am going to incorporate in my training delivery, before and halfway through each session.”
“I wanted to respond to thank you personally again for such a great course. You’ve inspired me to use mindfulness practices in our internal and external meetings at work, as well as in my personal life to give me the space and perspective for making better decisions…We all really enjoyed the sessions.”