A GROUP working to support people dealing with anxiety are developing a new practical tool to help people to 'take a pause' and allow themselves a moment of clarity and choice.

Mindfulness special interest group GEORGE, based at Herefordshire's St Michael's Hospice, has been working with registered nurse and Breathworks mindfulness practitioner Gail Calthrop to develop the tool to help those with anxiety, particularly anxiety linked to challenging health conditions.

The 'Pause' key fob tool is a set of simple activities on a keyring which aim to interrupt the anxiety response.

"The activities connect the mind with the body and the breath, and feedback to date supports our aim that it helps people feel calmer," a group spokesperson said.

"While the key fob is still in development, with the current challenges of coronavirus, we decided to share our prototype more widely now in the hope that it may help people who are experiencing anxiety either in an acute setting or just coping with the stresses of the outbreak at home."

For instructions on making the key fob at home, to provide feedback, or to order a prototype key fob with user instructions, click here.

For more information on the key fob and the hospice's fundraising appeal, click here.