Dumfries House-based charity The Prince’s Foundation is to offer free online health advice sessions.

Mindfulness, fertility, and weight management are some of the issues being covered in the free-to-join ‘Zoom clinics’.

The clinics are to be run by Dumfries House staff and fellow health specialists in mindfulness,

fertility, chronic pain, menopause, and health and wellbeing (weight management).

The sessions are free of charge to those registered with a GP in North, South and East Ayrshire.

Dumfries House health and wellbeing co-ordinator Shiona Johnston said: “We are keen to help as many people as possible during the pandemic. We wanted to offer something they don’t already have access to via the NHS support services to help them deal with the stresses and anxieties they face each day.

“During the mindfulness sessions, for example, we look at calming their minds, helping them manage stress and anxiety and show them techniques to relax.

“We also encourage them to try to practice mindfulness daily in any way they can, by taking a time out in nature or cooking something nice to eat. It’s about getting to them to a place where they feel comfortable.”

Gordon Neil, deputy executive director at Dumfries House, said: “The aim of our Integrated Health and Wellbeing programme since its inception four years ago has been to have a wide-

reaching, positive impact on our local community.

“At a time when many people are under pressure at work while also meeting the personal and at-home challenges of living through a pandemic, we are delighted that many of them are able to benefit from our classes. We hope these sessions can help as many people as possible at this difficult time.”

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