Mindstep Foundation is a charity close to my heart. It was established after my nephew Max loss his battle with depression in 2018. Mindstep raises awareness and combats the sensitive subject of depression and suicide. They aim to help fund further research and encourage those who suffer, as well as their families, to speak out about this complex issue.

During the coronavirus pandemic, I had worked as a Facilities Maintenance Electrician until I was furloughed in April 2020. I wanted to keep fit and stay active during this uncertain time to maintain my mental health and morale. My way is through running in which has been a great part of my life since I was 12 years old. From 5km in Parkruns most Saturday mornings to running 3 half marathons, including Royal Parks & Hampton Court Palace; I even was part of a running club for 3 years.

For some time, I felt that I had always wanted to do something significant for the foundation but didn’t know exactly what to do. Naturally, I wanted to help make a difference and felt that this was an important time to take action. So, I decided to set myself an ambitious goal of running 100 miles starting on 25th April and completing by 31st May.

In the first half of the challenge, I had completed 52 miles in 2 weeks, in which I was running two to three times a week; this was exhilarating and I thought the rest of my run would be easy to achieve. However, the second half became a struggle when my legs began to ache and suddenly was ceasing up. I was beginning to lose momentum – one day I only did 5km in which I felt disappointed in myself. But, even though I was mentally and physically tested during my low points, the thought of Max helped me break through this wall and regain my stride. Through the pain of it all, I carried on with the last 48 miles in 2 weeks. I completed the 100-mile challenge on 22nd May 2020.

I had been in regular contact with my work and had informed my manager of the challenge I was undertaking. He had asked me to send him the details of what I was doing; he stated that he would speak to the directors of the company to promote the challenge and cause on their social media pages. During Mental Health Awareness week, this was published onto LinkedIn & Twitter; I felt this was a great opportunity for everyone in the company nationwide to talk more about this topic.

I cannot wait to run my next challenge for Mindstep Foundation and will persist on beating the stigma of depression and suicide. It is good to get everyone talking.

You can still sponsor Llewellyn for his Isolation Centurion challenge here.

A quick guide to moving home during COVID-19: Information for buyers, sellers and renters

To move home during the COVID-19 outbreak you need to know about the ‘new rules’ to make sure you move safely.

This quick guide to moving home safely during COVID-19 will help you understand what you need to do, and what anyone involved in your move, whether an estate or letting agent, a property lawyer, photographer, energy assessor, a valuer or surveyor, someone helping you organise your mortgage or the removal company who move you, will need to do to provide a safe environment for everyone.

This guidance is aligned with ‘The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy’ and the Government advice on home moving during the covid-19 outbreak.

No guidance can cover every scenario, especially as the current situation is evolving, so please take a pragmatic, common-sense approach to move home during this time.

1. General guidance for different stages of the moving process

A. Before you move

Do you really need to meet in person? For the foreseeable future everyone needs to look for easy alternatives to physical meetings wherever possible so use digital technology, telephone contact, email and video-conferencing tools – whatever suits you best.

There will be times when you will need to meet, for example, if you need to have a legal document witnessed and, in all cases, you must protect each other by following current social distancing guidelines.

However, if a meeting is required, wash your hands before and after using soap and water, dry them thoroughly, ideally with paper towels, and abide by the 2m (about 2 large strides) social distancing guidelines.

B. Documents, identity requirements, witnessing and signatures
When you buy, sell, or let a property you will need to prove your identity, often to several different people, for example, your mortgage adviser, property lawyer, estate or letting agent. This can be done using electronic verification systems.
Contracts can be electronically signed through your property lawyer may still post them to you to sign and return. Some legal documents need witnessing and your witness will need to be physically present. If you maintain social distancing and don’t share pens, the risk can be minimised.

Precautions that you can expect from any property professional visiting your home
Where possible, they will:

Use their own transport rather than public transport.
Fill up cars at petrol stations using gloves and/or a paper towel.
Use hand sanitizer before entering your home and when leaving.
Not shake hands with you and maintain the 2m social distance.
Use knuckles rather than fingers to touch light switches and other contact points.
Declare COVID-19 symptoms and postpone any meetings, adhering to government and public health guidance (PHG) at all times.
Ask all present to declare any COVID-19 symptoms and adhere to government PHE guidelines.
Any person selling, buying, occupying, or renting a home, together with everyone else working in the industry, is legally obliged to declare any COVID-19 symptoms immediately during a property visit. Everyone will need to observe government PHG.

C. Vulnerable people or those shielding
If you are in this category, please seek medical advice on whether your move should take place as during this period the government advice is “staying at home and avoiding unnecessary contacts over this period, if at all possible.”

They also suggest that “All parties involved in home buying and selling should prioritise agreeing on amicable arrangements to change move dates for individuals in this group, or where someone in a chain is in this group.”

Please read the advice for vulnerable people or those shielding in the ‘Government advice on home moving during the covid-19 outbreak’.

2. Considerations for your move

There are three key stages in the property purchase, sale and rental process. The checklists below outline everything you need to know.

A. Checklist to prepare for a property professional to visit your property for sale or let

When you want to let or sell a property and are arranging visits there is a lot that you can do, together with property professionals, to take sensible precautions and minimise the time people spend in your property.

Property professionals will need to ask a series of questions prior to visiting your property, including:

Has anyone in the home had COVID-19?
Has anyone at home displayed COVID-19 symptoms or not yet completed a required period of household self-isolation?
Do you or anyone in your family have any COVID-19 symptoms?
Is there someone in the property that could be/is in the high-risk category? If so, they should ideally be placed elsewhere. Can a representative be appointed in their place?
The company should also confirm with you that the property professional viewing or visiting your property hasn’t had any symptoms.
If an agent is not present at a viewing, they will ask all those attending to declare they have no symptoms and keep a record that highlights everyone has understood the need to meet the safety guidelines.

Beware: If these questions are not asked before visiting your property, you need to consider whether the company is taking your safety seriously.

To keep contact to a minimum:

No open house viewings should take place.
Ideally, only one professional and up to two other adults should attend viewings. Where viewers need to be accompanied by small children they should be kept from touching surfaces.
Physical viewings should be limited to members of the same household. eg If a couple wish to view but are currently living in separate households, they should book separate viewings
Your property professional is likely to ask whether you can leave the property during viewings, so do advise if this is not possible (Can you go for a walk? Leave your home for food shopping? Be outside?)
Where possible, only one property professional will visit the property at a time. Where that is not possible, for example, if two removal people are required, or if you have tradespeople working on the property, professionals should adhere to current social distancing measures if they can. (Please see moving day checklist).
Viewings will ideally take place outside of commuting times to avoid rush hour.
Anyone coming to assess your home for a valuation, surveys, assessment of energy performance, or for any other purpose, will ask many questions about your property and put direct questions to you prior to the visit, in the interests of minimising time spent in your property, for example:
o Why are you moving?
o Is the property occupied? If so, are the occupant’s tenants or homeowners?
o How many people are currently in the property?
o Are there any potential risks to the occupants?
o What is the current and planned future use of the property?
o Where are the fuse box, gas meter, water meter, stop cock, boiler, water storage tank, broadband connection located?
o Have you got copies of any electrical, gas safety or other guarantees/warranties for windows, boilers, historical damp treatment paperwork, planning documents for extensions, etc?
o Has the property been subject to any subsidence? If so, what was the cause and has the problem been solved?
Please have answers to the above questions ready when you speak to your property professional.

15-minute viewing and visits
Where possible, and depending on the size of the property, agents and viewers will be asked to minimise time inside the property.

This won’t be possible, however, for property assessments such as energy performance, for preparing marketing materials, and surveys or removals.

Check carefully any terms and conditions so you know whether:

There are restrictions and limitations of the service that can be offered due to precautions taken during COVID-19.
The service may take longer than before due to the precautions taken. This is likely, so please be patient and understanding.
Keys
When handing over keys to an agent, surveyor or other property professionals, ensure they are sanitised by using hand sanitizer or passed via a disinfection wipe.

B. Home viewings, property visits and assessments checklist

When a property is being viewed or assessed by a property professional, they will minimise the time spent in your property.

When booking a visit or viewing, a property professional should ask a series of questions prior to visiting your property, including:

Has anyone in the home had COVID-19?
Has anyone at home displayed COVID-19 symptoms or not yet completed a required period of household self-isolation?
Do you or anyone in your family have any COVID-19 symptoms?
Is there someone in the property that could be/is in the high-risk category? If so, they should ideally not be present in the property. Can a representative be appointed in their place?
The company should also confirm with you that the property professional viewing or visiting your property, or any viewers, haven’t had any symptoms.

Beware: If these questions are not asked before visiting your property, you need to consider whether the company is taking your safety seriously.

When preparing your property for viewings, valuations and surveys, please protect everyone by:

Keeping windows and internal doors open wherever possible.
Wiping down door handles/handrails/lift controls or other ‘touchpoints’, especially in the kitchen and bathroom.
Opening a loft hatch and setting up a loft ladder.
Turning the room lights on.
If possible, leave the property during the visit/inspection; for example, stay outside, or if it is not possible to leave the property, remain in one room. Otherwise, only have one adult present. Ideally, wash hands before and after someone has visited and kept to social distancing measures at all times.
Ensuring pets and children are not in the property, or stay in one room and move to another room when the visitor needs to see the room they are in.
Restrict access to w/c or wash facilities unless the property professional(s) is/are there for a long time. If used, please disinfect after use.
Sanitising any keys handed to an agent, surveyor or other property professional using hand sanitisers, or passing via a disinfectant wipe.
Clean door hands before and after each visit.
Some more vulnerable visitors and occupants may ask people present to wear non-surgical face coverings. Please read the advice for vulnerable people or those shielding in the ‘Government advice on home moving during the covid-19 outbreak’
After the visit, don’t forget to wipe down any door handles and other ‘touchpoints’ with a disinfectant.

If you are viewing a property:

Before arranging a physical viewing of a property, consider viewing virtually first to minimise the number of visits you need to make.
Note that viewings should ideally take place outside commuting hours and avoid using public transport wherever possible.
The agent is likely to turn up 10 minutes before any viewings to ensure the property is prepared for viewings
Viewers are asked to wash hands ideally using a hand sanitiser prior to entering and leaving a property
Only one professional and up to two other adults should attend viewings, where viewers need to be accompanied by small children they should be kept from touching surfaces.
Ideally, only one professional and up to two other adults should attend viewings. Where viewers need to be accompanied by small children they should be kept from touching surfaces.
Physical viewings should be limited to members of the same household. eg If a couple wishes to view but are currently living in separate households, they should book separate viewings.
Ideally, the agent will show you around the property, but if this is not possible, please adhere to the 2m social distancing rule and wash hands or use a hand sanitiser before and after your visit.
Avoid touching surfaces. If you have them use gloves and disinfectant wipes.
Some more vulnerable visitors and occupants may ask people present to wear non-surgical face coverings.
Any feedback on the property should ideally be discussed outside or after the visit.
Please be patient; it may take longer to secure a viewing due to staff being furloughed or more property visits having to be accompanied by the agent. All of these measures are in place to keep everyone as safe as possible.

15-minute viewing and visits
Where possible, and depending on the size of the property, agents and viewers will be asked to minimise time inside the property.

This won’t be possible, however, for property assessments such as energy performance, for preparing marketing materials, and surveys or removals.

Good timekeeping is essential, and communication if running late. Agents should allow a longer time-window for a 15-minute viewing to allow for preparation, delays, and closing up.

Mortgage valuations, home surveys and energy assessments
Most mortgage valuations and all home survey inspections and energy assessments will require surveyors to inspect your property in person. Surveyors will minimise time spent at the property, however, depending on the service and your requirements, they may need to spend a long time inspecting different parts of the property.

C. Checklist for moving day during COVID-19
You can reduce moving day stress by preparing beforehand.

Some removal services would normally offer packing services but these will be limited for now. However, boxes and packing equipment can still be supplied.

A ‘deep clean’ is recommended when moving in and out of a property, so it’s a good idea to agree with your property lawyer whether you need to do a deep clean on your own home when it is empty, and also whether you need to do this in your new home before you move in.

Vulnerable people or those shielding
If you are in this category, please seek medical advice on whether your move should take place as during this period the government advice is “staying at home and avoiding unnecessary contacts over this period, if at all possible.”

They also suggest that “All parties involved in home buying and selling should prioritise agreeing on amicable arrangements to change move dates for individuals in this group, or where someone in a chain is in this group.”

Please read the advice for vulnerable people or those shielding in the ‘Government advice on home moving during the covid-19 outbreak’.

Before moving day:

If you need to send money to your property lawyer check whether your bank account has any limit on the amount you can send via your online banking. If you arrange the payments in advance you can avoid a visit to your bank. Be alert to fraudsters – they look for signs you might be sending money so avoid posting on social media that you are moving and be especially suspicious if you receive communication that suggests your property lawyer has changed their bank details.
Self-pack miscellaneous and non-breakable items wherever possible (ask your removal company what boxes and other materials they will supply and itemise any associated costs).
Where possible, please clean your belongings, with standard domestic cleaning products before they are handled by others, including removal firms.
Packing by the remover is currently limited to china, glass and breakable items.
Dismantle for packing, and then re-assemble at the destination, furniture items in your new home wherever possible.
Co-ordinate your move with anyone living in the property so they will have time to move out before you or your removers arrive at the property. Check if there is an agreed time for the property to become vacant on the day of the move, for example, 2 pm.
If it is possible, allow 72 hours between a householder moving out and a new one moving in. This may be more likely to be possible when renting.
Try to have everything packed and ready the night before your move.

On moving day, before the removers arrive:

Where possible, if you haven’t already, please clean your belongings, with standard domestic cleaning products before they are handled by others, including removal firms
Ideally leave the property while the removers are working, either by staying outside, or keeping yourself to one room. Always observe the two-metre social distancing measures. If you have access to disposable gloves, sanitising gels and possibly masks, please use them.
Clean down hard surfaces with warm soapy water, then disinfect these surfaces with household disinfectant.
Wipe down door handles/handrails/lift controls and other ‘touchpoints’ with household disinfectant (check first that it won’t damage the surfaces).
Clean and wash toilet facilities as above.
Keep windows open to allow ventilation.
Have one designated bathroom, if possible, just for the crew to use. Place soap and hand-sanitiser within easy reach. Clean and wash the area as noted above.
Open a loft hatch or set up a loft ladder.
Ensure pets and children are not in the property or keep them in the same room with you.
Wash your hands regularly, use paper towels to dry them and/or your own hand sanitiser
Remember – any keys handed over the need to be sanitised by using hand sanitisers, or via disinfectant wipes.

Note that it will not be possible for crew members to keep a 2m distance during your move from

Recognising the very difficult position that Conveyancing legal practices find themselves in as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, The Conveyancing Academy have announced a Delayed Payment Scheme, deferring all course costs until April 2021. Instalment options starting in April next year are also available.

The Academy hopes that the Delayed Payment Scheme provides the opportunity for staff to train during a period of Government funded Furlough leave. Academic training is permissible under the Government Furlough Scheme.

Lloyd Davies Managing Director of The Conveyancing Academy and Convey Law commented:

“We most sincerely hope that our deferred course fees allow legal practices to train their staff at a time which we hope never to see again! Over the coming months we have an opportunity to train Conveyancers using our remote online learning facilities whilst they are at home under the Government Furlough scheme.

“We are also pleased to announce that our new online CLC Apprenticeship courses are now available. We have trained hundreds of Conveyancers in recent years, with many progressing to running their own cases within months of completing our online courses.

Additional information can be found on the Conveyancing Academy website at www.conveyancingacademy.com.

On Thursday 5th March the Your Conveyancing Services team attended Cardiff City hall as award finalists for the Chamber of Commerce Welsh Business Awards 2020, hosted by Welsh television presenter Gethin Jones.

From over a hundred applications, forty-seven companies were shortlisted for awards, with the event hosting more than three hundred and eighty attendees.

Your Conveyancing Services were proud award finalists, leading the way with a total of three prestigious award nominations in the categories of Workplace Wellbeing, Customer Commitment and Employer of the Year.

Heather Myers, CEO of South Wales Chamber of Commerce stated, “These awards showcase the best of Wales, across all sizes of business and all sectors”. Gethin Jones backed Heather stating “Tonight we showcase the very best of the very best.”

Finalists for the Wellbeing in the Workplace award included Bright Link Learn, Retreats Group LTD and Your Conveyancing Services.

Deloitte’s ‘January 2020 Mental Health and Employers’ report states “the annual cost of mental health issues to Welsh employers is £1,557 per worker, with the total cost to UK businesses rising to £45bn. This amounts to an increase of 16% since 2016, or an extra £6bn a year. For employers in Wales, this research reveals that the annual cost of a worker leaving their job for mental health reasons is £212 per employee.”

Event sponsor CGI who presented the award stated “It is clear that wellbeing is at the heart of organisational culture at this business, which has had a quantifiable impact on organisational performance”.

The Your Conveyancing Services team were incredibly proud to win the Workplace Wellbeing Award. Managing Director Lloyd Davies stated “Of all of the awards, this is the one that we wanted to win more than any other.”

Mental health awareness and support have always been a key focus for Your Conveyancing Services, particularly following the tragic passing of Lloyd’s son Max Davies, in August 2018. The Mindstep charity foundation was set up in 2018 by Lloyd and his family to support mental health research, awareness and support.

With plans to double in size in the next twelve months, the Your Conveyancing Services team believe that winning this award supports the direction they are passionately taking the business and would like to encourage other businesses to implement similar policies.

Your Conveyancing Services’ key award-winning wellbeing policies include:

Providing one to one confidential counselling sessions and cognitive behaviour therapy with a qualified onsite counsellor.
Holistic therapies such as acupuncture, reflexology and massage sessions. On-site nail bar and regular dress down days, including charity events.
Offering to fund consultant and scan appointments for employees who have concerns about their health.
Funding training of Supervisors and Managers to ensure they can identify the triggers that indicate stress or wellbeing issues.
Regular one to ones where career goals, personal barriers, employee relationships, development goals and general feedback is discussed.
Providing career pathways that are transparent, with clear role descriptions and expectations.
Encouraging staff to take lunch breaks and to work reasonable hours. Providing holiday cover for all lawyers to reduce the fear of returning to work post annual leave.
Ensuring all who work at Your Conveyancing Services feel valued for their contributions. Consulting employees when implementing change to reduce stress.
Providing flexible working arrangements, such as remote and part-time working. Adjusting working hours and responsibilities during times of need.
Offering discounted gym membership as well as additional savings and benefits.
Alana Shakespeare Head of HR at Your Conveyancing Services stated “Implementing these policies has created a culture where employees are invested in the business and nearly always want to go the extra mile. Employee sickness and absence has reduced by 20% since 2018 and 2019 saw the fewest employees on long term sick.”

In the last two years, Your Conveyancing Services has experienced the highest level of profitability in the company’s history, alongside exceptional client feedback displayed on through their 4.6/5 star rating on Trust Pilot.

Lloyd stated “We feel incredibly honoured to have achieved this award as a symbol of Your Conveyancing Services commitment to staff. We would like to share our knowledge with other businesses to help improve mental health in Wales and the UK.”

To learn more about the Mindstep Foundation please contact info@mindstepfoundation.com. To speak to Your Conveyancing Services about their wellbeing policies please email wellbeing@conveylaw.com.

On the 6th February 2020 the Conveyancing Association held their Annual Conference & Dinner at the ICC Wales, Newport which also included a charity raffle fundraiser in support of the Mindstep Foundation.

Conveyancing Association’s sponsors donated some wonderful prizes including a £500 holiday voucher, an iPad, Henley Regatta all-inclusive tickets, bottles of champagne and more. Paired with the generosity of the guests, a phenomenal £6,000.00 was raised for Mindstep Foundation to help raise awareness, support and fund much needed research into Mental Health.

Following a number of successful events and fundraisers over the course of the last 18 months, the Mindstep Foundation has now raised £52,938.27 to fund Mental Health awareness, support and research!!

Thank you all for your generous donations and support! We have a number of exciting events and fundraisers planned throughout 2020, click on our events page to see more.

On the 3rd October Professor Rory O’Connor, from Glasgow University, delivered a fascinating talk to parents and staff about understanding suicide and self-harm in young people.

Professor O’Connor is a renowned expert in the field and spoke intelligently and with compassion to over 700 parents and teachers at Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls and at Monmouth Comprehensive school.

Zoe Lingham, a management training consultant, said: “It was a very informative talk around suicidal awareness with interesting facts given which made me consider different ways of dealing with situations.”

And Rebecca Thomas, who was also in the audience, said: “Everything that Professor O’Connor said was interesting and pertinent.

“Until we have a more open dialogue about suicide then we cannot find effective ways to combat suicide in teenagers and young people.”

Professor O’Connor leads the fellowship at Glasgow University which has been sponsored by the Mindstep Foundation. Foundation trustees Tracey and Lloyd Davies and the Mindstep Foundation are grateful to the Monmouth community of schools for promoting and staging the speaking events and making it possible for the community to better understand this very difficult issue.