This week we speak to Sinead Welsh for our #memberinfocus feature: “The Challenges and Opportunities of 2020”. 

Q1. If you could describe the year 2020 in one word, what would it be?

Life-changing.

Q2. What was happening in your life when the pandemic struck?

I was working towards launching my Child Protection and Mental Health Well Being App – Kind Minds.

Q3. Why and when did you decide to get involved with community-based support?

One of our core values at Informed Minds is striving for healthy relationships, along with empathy. I was delighted to see the work community calling was doing around their genuine approach to helping, promoting and maintaining relationships with our most vulnerable and lonely people – so I knew I could support and assist them with some promotion and also their safeguarding and mental health well being needs of their clients, volunteers and paid staff.

Q4. What is the biggest challenge you have faced since the world went into lockdown?

My three beautiful little kids have not been able to see their vulnerable nanny (grandmother)… it’s breaking her heart – but the fear of illness and reality of its effects must ensure that her health and safety is paramount. So we send nanny little videos and photos, which of course brings her both sadness and smiles. (She literally lives only 5 minutes away – but we may as well be back living in Melbourne because they can’t visit and cuddle her as they are only toddlers and don’t understand no touch, social distancing off course). It’s the saddest thing…

Q5. Are you excited about any opportunities that have arisen this year?

Unfortunately we have a mental health problem epidemic here in Northern Ireland. Add that to our current global pandemic and the mental health problems of our people is of real concern. I’m happy to say that we have lead and driven our Kind Minds App as a multidisciplinary and modern approach to helping and providing real practical strategies around improving our mental health well being. It’s soon to be launched… Follow us on Facebook: @informedminds for updates!

Q6. How are things looking for the remainder of 2020? 

We will use our Kind Minds App to help, inform and offer really practical tips and techniques to support the improvement and maintenance of health and kind minds.