CEO Report – Spring 2016

Dear readers

Christmas is now on us, the start of a new year bringing with it excitement about new opportunities and renewed energy. It is interesting to hear others talk about how tired they are at the end of the year and how they are looking forward to a break and perhaps time to reflect on the last 12 months. As I am getting older it feels as though the years are getting busier. Maybe it is my aches and pains that are all too common now.

While you are resting, reflecting and finding that renewed energy have a read of this edition of Mental Health Matters. There is some really interesting articles including the value of exercise, good eating and connecting through finding your inner child. We have personal stories about what has helped people with experience of mental illness and those that do the caring. It is great to read how beneficial it is connecting with others who understand completely what it is you feel when others just don’t seem to get it.

While we at WayAhead are having some well-earned R&R I know that many of us will be thinking about our young colleague Jean MacKay (Roxon). Jean was a volunteer writer who was so good we decided to put her on staff to ensure her skills stayed here. Unfortunately,  shortly after, Jean became unwell and it wasn’t long before she succumbed to cancer at the age of 22. A great loss to us and to those people she would have had such a positive impact on in later life. Our thoughts go particularly to her family who are coming to terms with such a loss and I suspect the first Christmas without Jean will be a Christmas they would like to forget but by no means forgetting Jean.

To everyone, whatever makes you happy this Christmas take time out to do it. Don’t put it off because no matter who you are you deserve to smile and be with the people that warm your heart.

Enjoy this edition of Mental Health Matters magazine and I look forward to connecting again in 2017.

Elizabeth Priestley