FEAR AND FEARLESSNESS WORKSHOP SERIES
This 3-session weekly workshop series ran from November 15th to December 6th.
MENTAL HEALTH AND MINDFULNESS SERIES
Andrew will be presenting a 4-session weekly workshop series on Mental Health and Mindfulness starting Wednesday morning, November 16th. To register, please e-mail or phone (details below). Seating is limited.
MINDFULNESS EXHIBIT AT THE CITY OF MOUNT PEARL’S HEALTH AND WELLNESS FAIR
The City of Mount Pearl’s Health and Wellness Fair took place at the Mount Pearl Glacier on October 13th. It was wonderful to take part with such a diverse and professional group of exhibitors.
“BE MIND FULL”–CMHA
The Canadian Mental Health Association has adopted “Be Mind Full” as a slogan in its public information materials. For example, it’s at the top of their Mental Health Fact Sheet and their Coping With Stress–5-Minute Stress Test Sheet.
This photo was taken at their booth at the City of Mount Pearl’s Health and Wellness Fair.
OUR NEW SPACE
Our Monday night meditation and study group began meeting at 27 Parade Street the first of August. Our new space is homey, warm, and inviting.
NAVIGATING ANXIETY AND STRESS THROUGH MINDFULNESS WORKSHOP SERIES
CULTIVATING PRESENT-MOMENT AWARENESS WORKSHOP SERIES–DAYTIME
SUMMER MEDITATION RETREAT
This picture was taken at the end of the first day of our annual Mindfulness-Awareness Summer Retreat at the Conception Bay Renewal Centre in Conception Harbour. Twenty-six people attended the one-week retreat from July 16 to 23, coming and going at various times. Photo: Andrew Safer
KATHY PORTER BECOMES MINDFULNESS-AWARENESS MEDITATION INSTRUCTOR
Kathy Porter of St. John’s, who has attended all of our winter and summer retreats since 2011 and has fulfilled Meditation Instructor I training practice and study requirements, is now a Mindfulness-Awareness meditation instructor (I). (Thank you to Ken Friedman of Halifax who assisted in this process.) Photo: Courtesy of Moyra Buchan.
ANXIETY AND STRESS/MINDFULNESS PROGRAM PRESENTED AT PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH DAY
The Discipline of Psychiatry at Memorial University held their Annual Research and Awards Day in the Faculty of Medicine’s Medical Education Centre on June 24th. Dr. Martha Traverso-Yepez and Andrew Safer co-presented on “Navigating Anxiety and Stress through Mindfulness: A Program Evaluation”. (Click below for presentation.)
5TH ANNUAL SUMMER RETREAT
4TH ANNUAL MENTAL HEALTH @ WORK FAIR
On June 1st, Andrew presented on “Workplace Mindfulness” at the Mental Health @ Work Fair at St. John’s City Hall. Among the other presentations were “Lived Experience: Recovery @ Work & Peer Support”, “The Recovery Approach”, “Are You Traumatized by Your Work?”, and “Fitness and Recovery”. Photo: courtesy of Dave Banko.
MID-DAY MINDFULNESS
This is the first workshop series we are offering downtown. It’s tailor-made for people who work downtown and would like to learn about and receive training in Mindfulness: a set of practices that help us develop present-moment awareness, openness, and kindness toward ourselves, free from judgment and preoccupation.
FIFTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
We celebrated five years of Monday night meditation on May 16th. We started practicing together as a group in April 2011 at the Family Life Bureau / Basilica, and have been at Canon Wood Hall, St. Thomas’ Church since the Summer of 2014. After the first sitting period, Sherry Ryan treated us to three of her wonderful songs, there was some reminiscing and revelry, a 5th anniversary cake, non-alcoholic toasts–including one “to the next five years”, many delectables, and much chatting. Photos: Courtesy of Deborah Jackman
NAVIGATING ANXIETY AND STRESS THROUGH MINDFULNESS WORKSHOP SERIES
The next workshop series starts Wednesday, May 11th.
To read an evaluation summary and participant comments about this series, click on the links embedded in this page. To register for this series, contact Andrew: (709) 722-2716 andrew@safermindfulness.com. For a Paypal payment option, please click here.
FIFTH ANNUAL SUMMER MEDITATION RETREAT
Our fifth annual summer mindfulness-awareness meditation retreat will take place at the Conception Bay Renewal Centre in Conception Harbour, once again–about 45 minutes from town. It will begin the morning of Saturday, July 16th and continue until Saturday morning, July 23rd (one full week). Minimum attendance is 1/2 day. The retreat consists of sitting and walking meditation, mid-morning and mid-afternoon coffee/tea breaks, lunch and dinner, pitching in with meal preparation and clean-up, personal time after lunch, and a brief talk in the evening. There will be one-on-one meetings with a meditation instructor, and silence during the days. The cost is $70 per day or $470 for the entire retreat, including accommodations and meals; $40 per day without accommodations. Discounts are available. Further details will be posted in the coming months.
DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND DIGITAL DISTRACTION AND MINDFULNESS WORKSHOPS
The Spring Series of Talks will be taking place at Canon Wood Hall, St. Thomas’ Church. To register, please e-mail andrew@safermindfulness.com or call 722-2716.
MONDAY NIGHT MEDITATION GROUP
Our weekly mindfulness-awareness meditation group has been meeting every Monday night for nearly five years–first at the Family Life Bureau (Basilica) and more recently at Canon Wood Hall, St. Thomas’ Church. The only nights we have not met have been major holidays (Christmas, New Year’s Eve, etc.) and nights when major storms made driving unsafe. Anyone is most welcome to join us (see home page for details). Photo: Courtesy of Elena Yehia
WINTER RETREAT FEBRUARY 19 TO 21
“WORKPLACE MINDFULNESS” PROGRAM COMPLETED AT MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY
The Human Resources department at Memorial University completed their pilot of Safer Mindfulness’ Workplace Mindfulness program in early December. Fourteen staff and faculty met for one-hour weekly sessions in the Education Building from September 24th to December 3rd.
(Back left) Memorial University’s Kathleen Wall, Employee Wellness Consultant and Krystal Donahue, Training and Development Consultant, and Andrew Safer with participants and their Certificates of Completion at the last session
Photo: Courtesy of Memorial University of Newfoundland
Several mindfulness practices were introduced, practiced, and discussed.
Presentations relating mindfulness to everyday workplace realities focused on:
Session 1 – The Business Case for Mindfulness
Session 2 – Core Practices for Developing Mindful Awareness in the Workplace
Session 3 – Attention in the Age of Digital Distraction
Session 4 – Seeing the Big Picture, Beyond the Details
Session 5 – The Power of Pausing
Session 6 – Responding Instead of Reacting
Session 7 – Building Respectful Relationships
Session 8 – Navigating Stress and Uncertainty
Session 9 – Joining Vision and Practicality
Session 10 – Capstone Session: Tying It All Together
Please see the article “Workplace Mindfulness” on Memorial University’s web site.
NAVIGATING ANXIETY AND STRESS THROUGH MINDFULNESS WORKSHOP SERIES
This is the eighth cycle of this workshop series, which was piloted in the summer of 2013. All of these groups have had strong evaluation outcomes. For more information, go to this page and click on the embedded links.
SECOND SERIES OF TALKS ON MINDFULNESS
This second series of talks will take place at The Lantern, 35 Barnes Road, St. John’s.
SERIES OF TALKS ON MINDFULNESS PRESENTED
Three sessions were presented on November 17th and 24th, and December 1st on (1) Procrastination, (2) Obsessive Worrying, and (3) Self-Criticism and Mindfulness at the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing and Homelessness Network’s Learning Centre. Photo: Courtesy of Carl Hansen
SECOND WORKSHOP PRESENTED AT NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR HOUSING CORPORATION
A second lunch and learn workshop on Mindfulness, Difficulties and the Workplace was presented to staff at NL Housing Corporation on November 19th. Below: Andrew with Bob Thorne (Left), Staff Development Officer, NLHC.
EASTERN HEALTH WEBINAR ON MINDFULNESS
Andrew presented a webinar on Mindfulness and Anxiety, Stress and Well-Being to Eastern Health’s Pastoral Care and Ethics Waterford Hospital staff on November 17th. In the picture below is Susan Cummings, Manager, Pastoral Care and Ethics, Eastern Health.The webinar was part of a new staff wellness program: Self-Care in Health Care.
PROCRASTINATION AND MINDFULNESS
The first talk in the current Series of Talks on Mindfulness took place on November 17th in the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing and Homelessness Network’s Learning Centre.
TALKS ON PROCRASTINATION, OBSESSIVE WORRYING, AND SELF-CRITICISM AND MINDFULNESS
Location: From the Boulevard, go left on Legion Rd. (by Service Canada Centre), right on Churchill Ave., left on East Drive Address: 1-2 East. It’s the NL Housing and Homelessness Network’s (NLHHN) newly renovated building.
There is a coffee shop in that building, but come to the NL Housing and Homelessness Network’s main entrance on East Drive (near the large round window).
There’s parking directly across East Drive. in NLHHN’s lot.
NATIONWIDE MINDFULNESS INITIATIVE PROPOSED TO UK GOVERNMENT
An All-Party Parliamentary Group has recommended mindfulness implementations in Health, Education, Workplace, and Criminal Justice System. To read synopsis: Mindful Nation UK synopsis Nov 6 15
MINDFULNESS WORKSHOP PRESENTED TO STAFF AT NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR HOUSING CORPORATION
On October 7th, Andrew presented a lunchtime workshop on Mindfulness, Difficulties, and the Workplace to NL Housing Corporation staff.
NAVIGATING ANXIETY AND STRESS THROUGH MINDFULNESS
This is the seventh cycle of this 8-week workshop series.The start date is WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14TH and the end date is WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2ND with 6 Wednesdays in between. For more information about the program and outcomes go here, scroll down, and click on the links embedded in the text on that page. Note: The current program is now closed. There is a waiting list for the next workshop series, which will be offered in January 2016.
FIFTH ANNUAL MINDFULNESS MEDITATION RETREAT
Our one-week mindfulness-awareness meditation retreat at the Conception Bay Renewal Centre in Conception Harbour concluded on August 27th. This picture was taken mid-way through.
ANXIETY AND MINDFULNESS WORKSHOP IN AUGUST
Due to the strong turn-out for this workshop on July 22 (27 people attended), it is being offered again in August.
MINDFULNESS FOR PEOPLE IN RECOVERY
Note: This workshop series will begin in January 2016.
ANXIETY AND MINDFULNESS WORKSHOP
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FALL: NAVIGATING ANXIETY AND STRESS THROUGH MINDFULNESS WORKSHOP SERIES
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MINDFULNESS-AWARENESS WORKSHOP SERIES (#14) COMPLETED
Seven participants completed this eight-week workshop series on June 23rd.
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THE MINDFUL ENGINEER
On June 12th, Dr. Janna Rosales, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at Memorial University, presented her paper, “The Mindful Engineer: Contemplative Education as a Strategy for Sustainable Lifelong Professional Development”, at the 7th International Conference on Engineering Education for Sustainable Development in Vancouver.
Dr. Rosales’ article considers the role of contemplative education and mindfulness in the education of Engineering students, and references a workshop Andrew presented on “Mindfulness and Noticing, Listening and Questioning” to her second-year Engineering students in 2013. To read Dr. Rosales’ article, which includes student feedback regarding mindfulness, click here: The Mindful Engineer
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WORKSHOP ON MINDFULNESS-AWARENESS-BASED PROGRAMS FOR ANXIETY, STRESS, AND ADDICTIONS
Andrew presented a one-and-a-half-hour workshop on how mindfulness-awareness-based programs can help people with anxiety, stress, and addictions at the Newfoundland and Labrador Child and Youth Care Conference at the Holiday Inn on Friday, May 22nd. Approximately 100 participants were in attendance.
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SUMMER MEDITATION RETREAT
This summer, our week-long mindfulness-awareness meditation retreat will be taking place from August 20th to 27th at the Conception Bay Renewal Centre in Conception Harbour. The retreat will be silent from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Participants can come for as little as one day, up to the full week. The cost is $60 per day (includes meals and overnight at the retreat centre) or $30 for the day (meals included).
There are six spacious bedrooms with two beds in each room. There will be walking meditation outside on the grounds (weather permitting), tea breaks in the morning and afternoon, and talks in the evening about key elements of meditation practice and its applicability to everyday life.
If you plan to stay overnight, please register to reserve your place. For more information or to register, contact: andrew@safermindfulness.com / (709) 722-2716
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POPULAR MINDFULNESS-AWARENESS WORKSHOP SERIES RE-OFFERED
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MONDAY NIGHT MEDITATION
We are continuing to meet for meditation in our space at Canon Wood Hall, St. Thomas’ Church (Jonah Room, second floor).
Please arrive at the Kingsbridge Rd. entrance between 6:45 and 7:00 pm, to start shortly after 7:00 pm for sitting, walking, and a second sitting period. There will be a reading during the second sitting, and a discussion on the reading following the practice session, until 8:30 pm.
Newcomers are asked to e-mail andrew@safermindfulness.com in advance to arrange to meet at 6:30 for meditation instruction.
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Navigating Anxiety and Stress Through Mindfulness
The next workshop series will meet on Wednesday nights, from March 25 to May 13.
Scholarships are available.
If you have questions, or to register, call Andrew at 722-2716 or e-mail: andrew@safermindfulness.com
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Rediscovering Presence in the Age of Distraction Workshop
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Winter Retreat: February 6, 7, and 8
The Winter Retreat will be held at the Presentation Sisters’ Retreat House on Parsonage Drive in St. John’s, located just off Logy Bay Road.
from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM on Friday, February 6; Saturday, February 7; and Sunday, February 8. We won’t be staying overnight.
We have held retreats every summer since 2011, ranging from two days in Pouch Cove to one week in Conception Harbour.
You can attend any or all sessions, with a minimum participation of one half-day. Each day will consist of alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation, tea breaks, lunch and personal time, and taking turns on meal preparation and clean-up. There will be a brief talk in the evening. The retreat will be held in silence. The cost will be $35 per day. Subsidies are available if needed. We can’t cook full meals onsite. Lunch will be sandwiches / salad / soup, and dinner will be casseroles / soup (provided).
To reserve a spot, e-mail andrew@safermindfulness.com
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Due to strong interest, the sixth Navigating Anxiety and Stress Through Mindfulness workshop series has been scheduled for Tuesday nights starting January 27 (8 Tuesday nights) and ending March 17.
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The next workshop series begins on January 14th and runs until March 4th.
navigatinganxiety-winter15a
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Living Vitally: The Four Foundations of Mindfulness Seminar
Andrew presented a seminar on Living Vitally: The Four Foundations of Mindfulness in Canon Wood Hall at St. Thomas’ Anglican Church on November 21 and 22. This photo was taken after the last talk.
Dealing with Anxiety and Stress Through Mindfulness
Program Evaluation Summary
Attached is the program evaluation summary for the Dealing with Anxiety and Stress Through Mindfulness workshop series that met in June/July 2014.
Anxiety Report_ Final Nov_12 14
“Wholly” Heart Mental Health Awareness Day
Students at Holy Heart High School were interested in learning more about Mindfulness at “Wholly” Heart Mental Health Awareness Day on November 5th.
Workplace Mindfulness
Click here to download this as a PDF document.Workplace Mindfulness Program
Workplace Mindfulness Presentation at Rotary Club St. John’s East
Andrew spoke about Workplace Mindfulness at the Rotary Club St. John’s East weekly breakfast meeting at the Sheraton Hotel on Friday, October 31st.
Four Foundations of Mindfulness Seminar
Four-Year Partnership with the Family Life Bureau
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Andrew Safer and Sister Loretta Walsh, Director of the Family Life Bureau–Counselling Centre. Through our partnership over the last four years, 13 cycles of the Mindfulness-Awareness workshop series have been offered, and there have been several well-attended seminars by visiting mindfulness teachers. Thank you, Sister Loretta, for your strong support of Mindfulness in St. John’s!
Anxiety Disorder and Mindfulness Seminar
Dealing with Anxiety and Stress Through Mindfulness
Dealing with Anxiety and Stress Through Mindfulness
Anxiety Disorder and Mindfulness Seminar
Anxiety Disorder and Mindfulness Seminar on 09 Oct 2014
Annual Retreat
Our annual mindfulness-awareness meditation retreat will be taking place from Sunday, August 17th at 2:00 pm to August 24th at 2:00 pm at the Conception Bay Renewal Centre in Conception Harbour, about one hour from St. John’s.
Silence will be observed from the first morning sitting until the last sitting at the end of the day. There will be talks on mindfulness-awareness in the late afternoon. Participants will share the cooking and cleaning up.
For more information, please e-mail Andrew from this web site.
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Right Here, Right Now
The article “Right Here, Right Now” by Andrew Safer is in the Life section of the July issue of Progress Magazine (Halifax)
Progress Magazine article
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The Practice of Kindness in Everyday Life Seminar with Ken Friedman
Ken Friedman of Halifax presented a seminar on “The Practice of Kindness in Everyday Life” at the Key Assets Training Centre in St. John’s on June 19th and 20th. These folks were still on hand at the end of the day on Saturday for a picture (courtesy of Sarah Hansen).
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Mindfulness and Chronic Pain / Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Andrew presented on “Mindfulness as It Relates to Chronic Pain and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder” at the Canadian Association of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation conference (62nd Annual Scientific Meeting) at the Sheraton Hotel in St. John’s on June 18th. The presentation was during the pre-conference session on Chronic Non-Malignant Pain and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
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Spring Mindfulness-Awareness Workshop Series
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Dealing with Anxiety and Stress Through Mindfulness Workshop Series
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The Practice of Kindness
A Mindfulness Seminar with Ken Friedman
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Mindfulness Workshop for Social Workers in Halifax
While in Halifax for the launch of the Youth in Care Newsletter Project’s Voice (2014), on May 14th Andrew presented a half-day workshop on Mindfulness to Department of Community Services social workers.
Andrew and Stacey Greenough, Supervisor, Children in Care, Halifax District Office, Department of Community Services (below)
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“Mindfulness and Education” Workshop at Holy Trinity High School
Andrew presented a professional development workshop on “Mindfulness and Education” to 45 teachers, administrators and other staff at Holy Trinity High School in Torbay on May 9th. Participants who were able to stay afterwards for a photo are pictured below.
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“Mindfulness and Safety” Workshop for the City of Mount Pearl
During North American Occupational Safety and Health Week, on May 7th Andrew presented a workshop on “Mindfulness and Safety” for the City of Mount Pearl to a diverse group of City Hall and Infrastructure and Public Works staff. Below with Andrew are Colleen Butler, Human Resources Manager (centre), Corey Harvey, Health and Safety Officer (right), and Michele Peach, Chief Administrative Officer (left).
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Gonzaga High School Mindfulness Library
Gonzaga High School now has a collection of Mindfulness books and CDs in their library. These were purchased as part of the “Mindfulness at School” program that was piloted in February and March, with support from the United Way of Newfoundland and Labrador. Kim Templeman, Librarian, has displayed some of the books and is putting CDs on the shelf.
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“Healing Through Meditation” Article in Newfoundland Herald
Through a collaboration with Turnings, five years ago Andrew began giving mindfulness-awareness meditation instruction to “Mike”, an ex-offender who has been reintegrated into the community. Thanks to the ongoing support of his respite worker, he starts most days with sitting and walking meditation. “Mike” credits meditation practice as having helped him turn his life around.
Turnings article Apr 14 Healing through meditation
Group Mindfulness-Awareness Meditation Practice
Every Monday night: arrive 6:45 for 7:00 pm start. Sitting and walking mindfulness-awareness meditation until 8:00, followed by discussion. Beginning April 7th, location: Cannonwood Hall (third floor), St. Thomas’ Anglican Church, across from Coffee Matters on Military Road. First time? E-mail asafer@nf.sympatico.ca to arrange to meet at 6:30 for meditation instruction. Donations gratefully accepted.
Mindfulness-Awareness Workshop Series
Offered in January, April, and September · The Spring workshop series starts on Wednesday, April 16th. We will meet every Wednesday night, 7:00 to 9:30 pm, until May 28th except May 14th, and will finish with a half-day session on Saturday, May 31st (9:30 am to 12:30 pm). We will be meeting at Key Assets, 120 LeMarchant Rd. (enter from the parking lot in the back). Mindfulness practice brings us back to the here and now and helps us to not get caught up in the storylines in our heads about the past and future. This 8-session weekly workshop series is facilitated by a mindfulness instructor and practitioner with 40+ years’ experience in mindfulness-awareness meditation.
Topics include: Introduction to Mindfulness
· Being Present
· Making Friends with Yourself
· Relating with Negativity
· Opening to the World
· Mindfulness in Everyday Life – Cost: $80
Register:
asafer@nf.sympatico.ca 722-2716
“PWC Wellness Project” Gets Underway
at Prince of Wales Collegiate
Andrew began presenting sessions on Mindfulness to students in three Healthy Living classes at Prince of Wales Collegiate high school in late February. An after-school program will follow. The PWC Wellness Project is funded by Eastern Health’s Community Addictions Prevention and Mental Health Promotion Fund. Andrew developed the program for Gonzaga High School with funding support from the United Way of Newfoundland and Labrador. He will deliver the last sessions of Gonzaga High’s Mindfulness at School program the week of March 10th.
Andrew with Roger Butler, Assistant Principal, Prince of Wales Collegiate
“Mindfulness for Social Workers” Workshops for Eastern Health
Andrew presented four half-day workshops, “Mindfulness for Social Workers”, for Eastern Health in late February and early March–three in St. John’s and one in Clarenville. A total of 100 social workers and Memorial social work students doing work terms with Eastern Health attended. Some of the participants from the afternoon workshop in St. John’s, held at the Waterford Administration Building, are pictured here. (Centre: Paula Rodgers, Regional Professional Practice Consultant–Social Work, Eastern Health)
Below: some of the participants at the last workshop for Eastern Health social workers in St. John’s, in the Pillar Room at St. Clare’s Hospital.
