Staying productive and healthy at home

With most of us currently confined to our homes, it’s important to keep busy and productive for your mental health and to ensure you make the most of your time. We’ve come up with some top tips to help you stay healthy and focused over the coming weeks.

1) Don’t neglect your studies
Just because you’re not in school or training doesn’t mean you should let your studies slide. By keeping up with your assigned work, you’ll make sure that your mind stays active and your education remains up-to-date so that you’re ready to progress onto the next stage of learning once life gets back to normal. Set aside a quiet area in your home for studying where you’ll be able to focus and won’t be disturbed. At Skills Group, we are using both online learning and sending work packs to our learners to help them continue with their programme, all supported by our trainers and assessors.

2) Start a new hobby at home
There’s never been a better time to try something new (albeit while staying in the house!). Why not channel your creative side and try painting, be inventive with ingredients and cook up a treat, or pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read for a long time?

3) Think about the future
It’s important to remember that the current situation won’t last forever, and it can help to have some plans to focus on for the future. For example, if you’re a school leaver this year, you should still be thinking about what you want to do next. Why not take a look at our apprenticeships HERE and full-time courses HERE for some inspiration? We’re still holding telephone interviews so you’re able to apply for a place with us today and start with us once we re-open our doors to learners. Apply via our website or call us and our friendly team will be in touch to discuss your career options.

4) Keep in touch with friends and family
We might not be able to see all of our loved ones in person, but we are lucky that there are a huge range of ways to keep in touch virtually. Set aside some time each day to message, call or video call them. You could even watch a film together virtually or play a game – be inventive!

5) Exercise and keep fit!
Exercise releases endorphins which make us feel good and help us to feel positive. Therefore, it’s important to fit a walk, run, or workout inside the home into your daily routine to keep your spirits up. There are lots of workout videos online to inspire you from yoga to full body workouts.

It might also be useful to have a look at these external links for further support and advice on mental health and well-being:

The Zone
NHS Mental Health
Mind
Mental Health Foundation
Rethink Mental Illness
Young Minds
Plymouth Mental Health Network
Devon Mind

I just wanted to say the biggest thank you to Vanessa, my trainer. You have made my journey so much easier, I don’t know what I would have done without you. You have been amazing and helped me to achieve my qualification. You’ve guided me through every step of the way, I really appreciate it, Vanessa, you have been my rock.

Katie Shorland, Level 2 Hairdressing

I always struggled in school as I wasn’t very academic, so knew learning on the job would be a better option for me. I would find it difficult to get up for 9am but now I wake up and look forward to my day. I wanted to try a hair apprenticeship as I’ve always been interested in hairdressing, and by the end of the first week, I already loved it!

Jaimee Benson, Level 2 Hairdressing

I have developed a range of new skills through work including the technical, industry skills required for the job, to personal development such as ensuring I am always on time. The biggest change since leaving school is adjusting to the independence you gain from earning a salary. My advice to anyone thinking of doing an apprenticeship would be find what you like doing, and go for it!

Will Birch, Level 2 Bricklaying

Since starting the apprenticeship, I’ve become far more confident. In a classroom, you only interact with your classmates, but through working you develop your people skills as you interact with customers on a daily basis. At school, you are closely monitored and parented, however I am now more independent and feel grown up

Sam Collard, Level 2 Light Vehicle and Maintenance Repair

The most important thing I’ve learnt since leaving school is that there are other routes to success than just academia. I failed my GCSEs, as I never suited the school environment. Now though, I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship as I’ve discovered I learn more through hands-on practice.

Ben Freeman, Level 2 Carpentry

I would just like to thank you and your team for all the amazing work they do, you have provided me with the most invaluable experience which has helped to pave the way of my future. The work you do for young people is incredible!

Luke Kowalski, Teaching Assistant and former apprentice at Sir Robert Gefferys School