Highland Well-Ness Collective

11/11/2025

I was lucky to attend the first ever Association of Outdoor Therapy conference in North Wales last weekend. It was a wonderful celebration of the broad church that is outdoor therapy and a coming together of experienced practitioners who are doing truly amazing work across the UK. 

For me personally it was hugely affirming, filled with many interesting, challenging and fun conversations. Stepping into a whole weekend of group activity, workshops and over 100 new people was daunting, and I felt apprehensive but as is usually the case, I found that it's at the edges of my comfort zone that I feel the most alive.

The many benefits of the outdoors were woven into every part of the weekend. Nature connection lowers stress, blood pressure, improves immune systems, sleep, mood... the list goes on. And you don't need to be climbing Ben Nevis to experience these benefits. A short walk in nature where you engage your senses, notice the beauty and find your own meaning and connection is enough. 

Being in nature isn't always comfortable, and playing with how we experience discomfort is a powerful way of expanding our window of tolerance. There are many ways we can incorporate the outdoors into our counseling practice and to our everyday lives - it can be part of what keeps us feeling well.

Another theme of the weekend was that of environmental care and compassion, a strong sense that looking after nature is integral to this community.

Feeling very grateful for the learning, warmth, inspiration and experiences- and the beautiful setting of Snowdonia!

Kate 🌳💚🌳💚

07/11/2025

As Trustee Week wraps up, we just want to say a huge thank you to the incredible humans who’ve helped guide Highland Well-Ness Collective along the way.

• To those who were with us from the very start, you helped turn an idea into reality.
• To those who’ve since moved on but still cheer us on, your belief continues to carry us.
• To our newest trustees, thank you for jumping in with fresh energy, creativity and care.
• And to those yet to come, we can’t wait to welcome you into this growing story.

Every single one of you has helped shape who we are: collective built on compassion, collaboration, and community.

We couldn’t do this without you, and we can’t wait to see where this next chapter takes us as we approach two years of HWC 🤍

31/10/2025

We’ve all heard the saying “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” But have you ever stopped to think about what’s actually in your cup?

We often treat self-care like a refill: a walk, a coffee with a friend, a therapy session, and hope that’ll be enough to top us up.

But if we look at it from a biological point of view, there’s more to it than that.

Our brains have four main feel-good chemicals that keep us balanced, motivated, and connected: dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins.

When we only feed one or two, we can end up feeling “off”- even if we’re technically doing all the “right” things.

💛 Dopamine helps us feel motivated and rewarded, it’s that spark you get from progress, purpose, or ticking something off.
☀️ Serotonin stabilises mood and brings calm, boosted by movement, daylight, and gratitude.
🩷 Oxytocin creates connection and safety, through trust, laughter, and acts of kindness.
✨ Endorphins relieve stress and pain, they show up after movement, laughter, even a good cry.

So maybe filling your cup isn’t about one big thing, it’s about balance.

Caring for all four systems so your wellbeing feels full and steady.

So this week, I invite you to try this simple reflection:
Write down the four systems: dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, endorphins, and ask yourself,

Which ones do I naturally fill?
And which might need a little more attention this week?

Because filling your cup isn’t indulgent, it’s how we care for our brains, our bodies, and our ability to show up with presence and joy.

And if things still feel heavy, please remember: you don’t have to figure it out alone. Support is there when you need it 🤍

And don’t forget to let me know if you give this a go x

16/10/2025

In our last reel, we talked about the fawn response - how saying “yes” when you want to say “no” can sometimes be more than people-pleasing. It can be the nervous system’s way of protecting you when saying “no” once felt dangerous.

Here’s what’s really important to name:
This work can only happen once you’re safe.
If you’re still in an environment where appeasing others protects you from real harm or threat, your nervous system is doing exactly what it’s meant to do: keeping you alive. Survival always comes first.

When safety is established, that’s when awareness and change become possible.

Trauma and attachment research show that many people develop fawning in early environments where connection felt unpredictable or unsafe. The body learns that harmony keeps you safe - that conflict, rejection, or anger could mean danger. Over time, the nervous system pairs appeasement with survival.

Polyvagal theory (Stephen Porges) helps us understand why. The same system that prepares the body to fight or flee can also move us toward appeasement, a response sometimes called “submissive engagement.” It’s the body’s way of saying: If I can make you feel safe, maybe I’ll be safe too.

Healing this pattern starts not with confrontation, but with regulation, teaching the body that safety can exist without self-abandonment.

A few evidence-backed steps that support this process:
• Regulate first. Slow your breath, ground through your senses, orient to the present. (Polyvagal-informed grounding helps cue safety).
• Build micro-boundaries. Trauma recovery research shows that change sticks best through gradual exposure, small acts of choice that feel safe enough.
• Relational healing. Attachment work reminds us that patterns formed in relationship often heal through new, safer ones. Boundaries and connection can coexist.

Fawning isn’t a flaw, it’s proof of your body’s intelligence.
And once safety is present, awareness lets you choose new ways of protecting yourself, ones that honour both connection and authenticity.

I hope this help 🤍

14/10/2025

Just coming out of our latest HWC board meeting and feeling genuinely grateful.

There’s something really powerful about being surrounded by a group of women who not only get it, but bring passion, perspective, and heart to the work we do. Every conversation reminds me how lucky I am to be building something alongside people who care deeply about community, connection, and wellbeing across the Highlands.

Our board is full of wisdom, creativity, and compassion, each person offering something different, yet all sharing the same vision for making support more accessible and meaningful.

Running a social enterprise can feel like a lot at times, but meetings like today are such a reminder that I’m not doing this alone - and that collaboration truly is where the magic happens ✨

Here’s to strong, brilliant women lifting each other (and the Highlands) up.

27/09/2025

It’s today 🥳🥳🥳

SEE YOU THERE 🧡

Preloved Clothes Sale & Fundraiser - This Saturday!

Join Highland Well-Ness Collective and RASASH for a morning of sustainable fashion, community spirit, and fundraising in support of:
🤍Highland Well-Ness Collective’s Pay It Forward scheme - offering affordable & free counselling.
💜 RASASH’s vital support services.

📅 Saturday 27th September 2025
🕒 10:30am – 12:30pm
📍 Wasps Inverness Creative Academy, Gym Hall, Midmills Bldg, Stephens St, Inverness IV2 3JP
🎟️ Entry £10 (redeemable against clothing purchases!)

👗 Hunt for preloved fashion gems while enjoying guest stalls too:
🍵 : Scottish-grown, award-winning teas.
🌿 : holistic wellbeing tasters.
🪵 : unique handcrafted woodwork.
🌸 Tropic Skincare : ethical, naturally derived skincare.
🧁 : cupcakes made with love.
🍬 MacGregory Speciality Tablet - buttery Scottish sweetness.
🍰 Plus bakes from our generous volunteers!

It’s more than a clothes sale - it’s a chance to shop, sip, taste, and connect with your community.

👉 Full details: highlandwellnesscollective.co.uk/events/preloved-clothes-sale-fundraiser

Thank you for helping us make counselling and wellbeing support more accessible in the Highlands - together we make a difference.

We can’t wait to welcome you! 💚👗

24/09/2025

Preloved Clothes Sale & Fundraiser - This Saturday!

Join Highland Well-Ness Collective and RASASH for a morning of sustainable fashion, community spirit, and fundraising in support of:
🤍Highland Well-Ness Collective’s Pay It Forward scheme - offering affordable & free counselling.
💜 RASASH’s vital support services.

📅 Saturday 27th September 2025
🕒 10:30am – 12:30pm
📍 Wasps Inverness Creative Academy, Gym Hall, Midmills Bldg, Stephens St, Inverness IV2 3JP
🎟️ Entry £10 (redeemable against clothing purchases!)

👗 Hunt for preloved fashion gems while enjoying guest stalls too:
🍵 : Scottish-grown, award-winning teas.
🌿 : holistic wellbeing tasters.
🪵 : unique handcrafted woodwork.
🌸 Tropic Skincare : ethical, naturally derived skincare.
🧁 : cupcakes made with love.
🍬 MacGregory Speciality Tablet - buttery Scottish sweetness.
🍰 Plus bakes from our generous volunteers!

It’s more than a clothes sale - it’s a chance to shop, sip, taste, and connect with your community.

👉 Full details: highlandwellnesscollective.co.uk/events/preloved-clothes-sale-fundraiser

Thank you for helping us make counselling and wellbeing support more accessible in the Highlands - together we make a difference.

We can’t wait to welcome you! 💚👗

18/09/2025

Book your free short meeting with me on Monday 22nd September if you’d like to attend the 🌈8 week Mindfulness for Neurodivergence Programme🌈 starting at the Highland One Stop Shop in September.

Mindfulness Flow 8 Week Mindfulness for Neurodivergence dates:

- 15th September Introduction session

- 22nd September book your 1:1 meeting before the 8 week programme begins

- Week one 29th September
- Week two 6th October
- Week three 13th October
- Week four 27th October
- Week five 3rd November
- Week six 10th November
- Week seven 17th November
- Week eight 1st December

Times: Doors open at 2.45pm. Start time 3pm, end time 4pm.

Where: Highland One Stop Shop, 1-1A Friars Street, Inverness. IV1 1RJ

What happens next?
Book your appointment for a short meeting with Lisa by emailing Lisa@MindfulnessFlow.co.uk or WhatsApp/Mobile: 07721656412
or contact Gill Highland One Stop Shop - Service for Adults across Highland with autism

What happens if I want to attend but can’t make all of the dates?
That’s OK, contact Lisa who can discuss this with you.

Any questions?
Email: Lisa@MindfulnessFlow.co.uk or WhatsApp mobile 07721656412