Feeling overwhelmed or anxious? @MindWellLeeds has put together these great tools which include breathing and relaxation techniques, mindfulness and creative ideas.

Our neighbours in Munro House, ODI Leeds, deserve a big shout out. They encourage people to engage and innovate with open data, look at problems from new perspectives, then build solutions. During these times, they are working with partners to create useful resources, create things openly, and enable others to engage with data about the coronavirus outbreak. Thanks ODI!

This great piece from David Weston (follow him here on Twitter @informed_edu) has really struck a chord with us all. “Just as poppies grew from the WW1 battlefields, there may be some good that grows from these dark times. I’ve reflected on 11 things that may be silver linings.” Read his thoughts here and take a look at what might be the poppies from this global pandemic and these possible silver linings. This really resonates as we find new ways to continue the work of our partners in our communities.

It’s great joining in with #clapforourcarers (every Thursday at 8pm) to say a big #ThankYouNHS. We have had Magpies clapping across Yorkshire and the Humber and a guest appearance from our designer Alice’s family in Essex.

We are enormously proud that our ‘Seriously Resistant’ campaign for NHS Leeds AND our ‘Looking out for our neighbours’ campaign for West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership have both been shortlisted in the 2020 CIPR Excellence Awards. Both are vital healthcare campaigns: Seriously Resistant is a campaign that aims to raise awareness of antibiotic resistance and encourage people to pledge to keep antibiotics working; and Looking out for our Neighbours aims to prevent loneliness by encouraging people to do simple things to help out their neighbours. Read the full shortlist here. The winners will be announced on Twitter on 2 June.

A poem written by retired teacher, Kitty O’Meara from Wisconsin, has captured the feelings of people across the world and been shared across social media. We particularly like this visual interpretation by @littlekorboose on Instagram. Read the full poem and see the full illustration here.

Sport England has announced £195 million of public funding is available to help the sport and physical activity sector through the ongoing coronavirus crisis. The money, which is a combination of National Lottery and government funding, will help clubs and community organisations cope with the short and long-term impact of the pandemic. Not only will it help local sports clubs facing financial concerns but will also encourage people to stay fit at home.

Our own Kim Robinson (Lil’ Kim) has launched a series of podcasts for her Keep Real movement. The latest episode features World Record holder Freddie Bennett, sharing his experiences leading up to being alcohol free for over a year. From navigating a toxic work culture to finding his feet (quite literally) in the Sahara desert. You can listen on Spotify or Audioboom.

Fellow Magpie Isabel helped organise her housemate’s wedding in just four days, as it was brought forward by a month before coronavirus restrictions. The housemates were the couple’s only attending guests, with others watching and attending the service virtually through the Facebook live stream. The story featured on BBC news.

Working from home with kids (and partners/ housemates/ basically other humans!) can be challenging; with young children it can be especially hard for them to understand the importance of staying home and why they aren’t able to visit family and friends right now. To help some of the Magpie children feel connected, our designer Alice created a printable journal for them to get creative with; to share what they’re doing at home with the people who aren’t in their houses at the moment. Our mini Magpies loved this, so we’ve made it available for your family too. Download printable journal and get crazy with the crayons!

Think of the Scouts and you’ll probably think of the great outdoors. During these days of staying at home, they’ve taken their passion for adventures and have created a fabulous  lifeline for families with children and young people (aged 6 to 18!). They have pulled together some absolutely inspired activity ideas as part of #TheGreatIndoors. The resources are free (but you can make a donation to say thanks) and they also count towards activity badges if scouting bling is your thing.

If you smoke and become ill with coronavirus you are more likely to have complications needing intensive care treatment. Leading experts and support groups have come together to encourage people to use this time and #QuitForCovid: check out the Quit Clinic on twitter every day from 7.30pm-8.30pm where you can ask for help and advice.

Wow, ChatterPack is one of the best lists we’ve seen! Virtual tours (aquariums, zoos and museums), online learning (whether your cup of tea is language, arts and culture or computer programming) developing new skills (teach yourself to draw faces, start to sing, grow food at home from food scraps, salsa dance) and take lessons with the experts (music with Myleen Klass and dance classes with Oti Mabuse). This fantastic resource has been created by Claire Ryan who works for the NHS and runs ChatterPack on a voluntary basis in her *spare* (!) time.

The Big Thank You celebrates all the incredible things that people in Leeds are doing to help others during the current coronavirus situation. You can thank anyone – NHS staff, carers, key workers, a neighbour, friend, colleague, member of your family – anyone you think deserves thanks for something they’ve done for you or others. You can say your thank you online or using the hashtag on twitter #BigThanksLeeds

The Recovery College Online has put together a fantastic set of resources to help manage your mental health at this time, tackle understandable anxieties, prioritise self-care and support children. Great reading and some print-worthy things to pop on your fridge/noticeboard.