If you’re working from home, here are a few points to help you, which come fully endorsed by our St Monica Trust Chief Executive, David Williams. I hope you find them helpful too!

• Things might take a bit longer than normal when you’re working from home. That’s because we’re relying more on emails and remote contact between colleagues and external contacts who also have a range of conflicting priorities. Try to have Zoom meetings or a phone call with the colleagues you work closest with every day to ensure you’re all clear about what tasks are priority. Recap what you’ve agreed at the end of the meeting.

• It’s not easy working from home. You can feel more distanced from things going on in your usual workplace. Keep in touch, offer and show support whenever you can. Talk about this point in your next team catch up. Get anything you’re unclear of out into the open.

• You are still contributing. Working from home is in no way seen as ‘dipping out’. Your role is as important now as it ever has been. Keep a list to see how much you’re achieving day to day.

• Many of us feel a sense of identity at work — we have a clear role, friends, shared experiences and stories. Try not to let those relationships slip. Contact someone you often see at work but aren’t having contact with while you’re working from home. Just a quick ‘hello’ by email or a phone call will make you (and them) feel more connected. This is particularly important for anyone who lives alone, because a feeling of loneliness can be very harmful to your health and well-being. If we all reach out to one another, people will feel less alone.

Working From Home as a Parent:

The school holidays can be be a particular challenge for any working parents, perhaps even more so, if you’re trying to get work done from home with noisy children around! The article below may resonate with you, but it also has some tips to help you cope.