MHAW2021: Charles
As an extension of Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 the UCO is shining a spotlight on the importance of good mental health throughout the month of May. As part of this we're inviting our staff, students and others in the UCO community to share the ways they support and manage their own mental health.
Today Charles, Vice-Chancellor of the UCO, tells us about his love of sports and his spaniel Stan:
"There are two big things that I find give me joy and also take me away from the pressures of life apart from friends and family. I have always enjoyed sport, either taking part or over the last few years spectating only, and it can be at lots of different levels. My main passion is following Watford FC and although this can be stressful the pleasure it gives me outweighs the bad times. It’s about meeting my son for a beer before the game, the sounds of the crowd, the game itself, the debrief afterwards and then looking forward to the next game. It can be top level games of football, rugby or cricket or a wander to my local cricket club in the summer; it all takes my mind away from the constant worries we can all carry.
The second which has been handy as its not been taken from me in lockdown is my spaniel Stan. He needs a walk and I can’t ignore him! I love the hour each day I have out in the countryside or by the sea gently exercising and clearing my head of the emails and Teams calls I’ve just had, it really does relax me even if he does have the odd “Fenton” moment and behave badly.
