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Walk and Talk Sessions.
As well as being great for our physical health, walking also benefits our mental health: Walking and talking come very naturally together and...
Keep talking, talk suicide, save lives,……. take the training !
Keep talking, talk suicide, save lives take the training ! https://talksuicide.co.uk/
Case Studies
Case Study 1
Background..
I lived on a small holding with my parents and brother. I was abused by an elderly man who we called uncle a family friend from the age of 5yrs old. I had nightmares and suffered at school. When I was older I started self harming, I had a child but Social Services removed him from my home. I then became heavily involved with the Mental Health team. I suffered flashbacks, depression and anxiety. I was told my son was to be fostered and would never come home, I sank deeper into depression.
Introduction of Next Steps [How you became involved]
I was introduced to next steps thirteen years ago by some support workers. I have been a volunteer for over ten years, I was taken there to integrate with others and make friends. I have made lovely friends and friends on the staff. I can talk to others and no one judges me. Last year I raised £800 by shaving my head for the charity “Next Steps”. I attend the “out of hours” club it’s been a life saver for me. I attend weekly to volunteer and I can use the computers for any length of time which is brilliant. I made Christmas dinners on Christmas day for two years on the trot, so people were not alone at Christmas. I have my lunch here a few times in the week so I’m not at home alone feeling depressed. Next Steps is like a family we all accept each other and help each other, I’ve had some great times.
What does Next Steps mean to you [Your future]
Next Steps is a bolt hole for me to run to it is my lifeline. I can be with friends. I can help raise money and be a part of a team. In December I passed my first aid, and this year in January I did my food hygiene course. Next month I will do my Midas course to drive the mini bus, so I can help people in rural areas not feel lonely like I have and support them to go out and join in with activities.
A beautiful Poem by a member of our Drop in September 2020-Through covid 19.
The Foreigner
I’m in a different country
Where there is no sun
There is no time, no order
Where feelings are just numb.
A great expanse of nothing
Except pain and despair
I wish I could be normal
And have a heart to care.
I speak another language
My thoughts are so accusing
It is Depression speaking
Unreasonable, confusing.
I don’t believe that time will heal
There is no end in sight
But if it comes, when it comes
I can forget the night.
Until the dawning of that day
Trapped in a foreign land
The best that you can do for me
Is try to understand.
by Vicky Fowler