What's the Plan?
Like most antenatal educators and hypnobirthing practitioners I closed my doors to in-person courses and workshops in March following Government and Professional bodies advice. I moved all of my clients online and have had many a happy hour on zoom calls demonstrating hypnobirthing techniques and chatting about how to reduce the anxieties around pregnancy and birth, especially those around birthing during a global pandemic! I am so grateful to have been able to move my business online and still help support so many couples during this time.. but I am happy to say that I will be starting to run in-person workshops once again from July onwards. It will be wonderful to be able to offer both live online courses via zoom/skype but also in-person courses once again, to those who want that option.
I will be teaching my popular Group Hypnobirthing Workshops solely online via zoom or skype for the time being. This is something I will reassess going forward and as guidance changes over the coming months.
I am writing this blog to outline the changes that I will be implementing for my in-person Private 1-to-1 hypnobirthing workshops to prevent the spread of infection. I will also communicate updates on here as any government guidance or industry guidelines change.
Risk Assessment & 'Let's Stay Safe' Guide:
During July 2020 I have completed and written up a risk assessment following government guidance and will be following all risk mitigation measures that this process has identified - some of which I have outlined below. I have also written a detailed 'Lets Stay Safe' Guide that all Clients will be required to read and understand prior to attending any in-person sessions. Both can be made available on request.
Self-Isolating:
Firstly, let me reassure you that if myself or any family member experience any symptoms I will self isolate. In this circumstance couples will be offered to reschedules their workshop and/or move one or more of their workshop sessions to live online sessions. I will follow the Government and NHS guidelines and advice, and where possible will get tested as well.
Similarly, if you or any member of your household experience any symptoms of cold, flu or Covid-19 please let me know as soon as possible and we will reschedule or move your sessions online. Please also let me know if you experience any symptoms following any of our sessions together (as I will), I will then assess whether I need to cancel other courses and self isolate.
During our Workshop sessions together:
I will be teaching Private 1-to-1 sessions at my home. I live in a large barn on the edge of the Suffolk countryside a couple of miles south of the centre of Bury St Edmunds, just a mile south of the A14. Whether the guidance for social distancing is 1 metre or 2 metres there is enough room at the Barn to be able to distance from each other, whether that is whilst we are learning about hypnobirthing and enjoying relaxation sessions or whether we are having a break, or using the facilities! The living room where the sessions will take place is approximately 7 metres long by 6 metres wide and the breakout area is adjacent to the lounge in the centre of the barn which is around 13 metres long by 10 metres wide, the bathroom is just off this area. I will be posting a mini video and images of the barn on my Facebook Page too so you can see the set up for yourself.
We have enough bathrooms to ensure that couples can have sole use of our downstairs bathroom during the workshop sessions. This bathroom will undergo a deep clean prior to your arrival, have clean hand towels and cleaning products available for your use. During this time I will be recommending couples to bring their own drinks and snacks. I will of course reassess my provision of drinks and snacks as time goes on and as guidance changes. Please note that it is possible to refill your drinks containers with water using our (hands-free) cool filtered water dispenser.
We will be sitting on sofa/couches in the living room so if you wish to, you can bring your own furniture coverings. For relaxation sessions please bring whatever will make you feel comfortable, i.e. pillows, cushions, yoga mat, blankets. Wherever possible and keeping in mind your comfort during the sessions, windows will be open and the venue ventilated as much as possible.
I will be teaching Private 1-to-1 sessions at my home. I live in a large barn on the edge of the Suffolk countryside a couple of miles south of the centre of Bury St Edmunds, just a mile south of the A14. Whether the guidance for social distancing is 1 metre or 2 metres there is enough room at the Barn to be able to distance from each other, whether that is whilst we are learning about hypnobirthing and enjoying relaxation sessions or whether we are having a break, or using the facilities! The living room where the sessions will take place is approximately 7 metres long by 6 metres wide and the breakout area is adjacent to the lounge in the centre of the barn which is around 13 metres long by 10 metres wide, the bathroom is just off this area. I will be posting a mini video and images of the barn on my Facebook Page too so you can see the set up for yourself.
We have enough bathrooms to ensure that couples can have sole use of our downstairs bathroom during the workshop sessions. This bathroom will undergo a deep clean prior to your arrival, have clean hand towels and cleaning products available for your use. During this time I will be recommending couples to bring their own drinks and snacks. I will of course reassess my provision of drinks and snacks as time goes on and as guidance changes. Please note that it is possible to refill your drinks containers with water using our (hands-free) cool filtered water dispenser.
We will be sitting on sofa/couches in the living room so if you wish to, you can bring your own furniture coverings. For relaxation sessions please bring whatever will make you feel comfortable, i.e. pillows, cushions, yoga mat, blankets. Wherever possible and keeping in mind your comfort during the sessions, windows will be open and the venue ventilated as much as possible.
Due to the space available at the venue and being able to follow government guidelines in terms of social distancing I will not be insisting on the wearing of face masks, but if you wish to, then please do so.
I will be washing my hands thoroughly before your arrival and would appreciate couples to do the same as they arrive. Hand sanitiser will also be available for those that wish to use it.
Finally, if you live within a 30 minutes drive of Bury St Edmunds and in a house that we can effectively socially distance according to government guidelines I would also be happy to travel to you for our workshop sessions. Please contact me to discuss.
To receive regular updates about my courses and workshops please link in to my Facebook page where I will also be sharing images and videos of my preparations for reopening. As always, please contact me with any questions you may have. It will be lovely to see some bumps in person again whilst keeping ourselves safe and healthy!
I will be washing my hands thoroughly before your arrival and would appreciate couples to do the same as they arrive. Hand sanitiser will also be available for those that wish to use it.
Finally, if you live within a 30 minutes drive of Bury St Edmunds and in a house that we can effectively socially distance according to government guidelines I would also be happy to travel to you for our workshop sessions. Please contact me to discuss.
To receive regular updates about my courses and workshops please link in to my Facebook page where I will also be sharing images and videos of my preparations for reopening. As always, please contact me with any questions you may have. It will be lovely to see some bumps in person again whilst keeping ourselves safe and healthy!
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