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#FriendlyFarnham, launched by Carolyn Baynes and Emma Lyddon, is a branch of the Kind To Mind organisation. The initiative aims to equip the people of Farnham, Surrey with the wellbeing tips and tricks they need to not only look after their own mental health, but also the people they interact with on a daily basis.
Why Farnham?
A beautiful and historic craft set on the border of the Surrey Hills with direct links to Guildford, the South Downs National Park and London, Farnham is a wonderful place to live for all ages. However, there are many economic and social barriers that a variety of individuals face in the area, such as poverty, class barriers, and the ongoing mental health pandemic. Kind To Mind, the mental health organisation, believes all should have access to the support they need to lead and live a healthy life. Farnham is no different and with the success of this particular initiative, we hope to launch Kind Communities (based on #FriendlyFarnham) across the UK.
Carolyn Baynes
Carolyn is a Mindfulness Meditation teacher (MMTCP -Sounds True) and has trained with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield. She has been a Quaker for 26 years and teaches mindfulness in schools and to parents.
She also teaches a monthly Meditation group which has a podcast “Centring Down with Compassion”
Carolyn has also been teaching music using Kodaly methodology for 25 years. She trains primary teachers, SCITT students and has given lectures at music hubs, music networks and at Kingston University.
Carolyn has conducted research into the importance of music in nurturing the attachment bond between mothers and babies and this underpins all her teaching. She is trained in the Effective Lifelong Learning model developed at Bristol university and uses this in her teaching to support children’s resilience, curiosity and creativity.
Carolyn runs a thriving music department with an orchestra of over 50 children, 3 choirs and numerous ensembles. She runs a team of committed and motivated peripatetic teachers and takes a lead role in supporting their professional development.
Emma Lyddon
Emma is the founder of Kind To Mind and a personal development/mental health coach. Emma has worked with Mind, Samaritans, Priory Group, town councils and Politicians in order support individuals struggling with their mental wellbeing. Her main aim is to ensure that everyone is provided with some sort of interim support to alleviate pressures on the NHS and reduce long waiting lists for professional mental health services. She therefore set up Kind To Mind to provide free self help resources and 1:1 Coaching. Kind To Mind also runs an active blog, podcast and multiple social media platforms.
Emma organises the annual Wellness in the Meadow Festival in Gostrey Meadow, Farnham which brings local people together to boast in wellbeing tips and tricks whilst raising money for Kind To Mind. This year it shall be on the 17th September and we look forward to seeing you there.