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connecting people with the services and support that will most effectively meet their needs SHINE Newsletter - May 2016 Mental health support network in Lincolnshire

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Page 1: connecting people with the services and support that will ... · people who aren't just friendly but very welcoming. We accept people for who they are or who they'd like to be. Steampunk

connecting people with the services and support that will most effectively meet their needs

SHINE Newsletter - May 2016

Mental health support network in Lincolnshire

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DAVID LAMBERT

ALL members of the Louth Mindfulness Group would like to nominate DAVID LAMBERT (Cultural Solutions UK) as a SHINE STAR, In Recognition of, and gratitude for all the tireless, selfless behind the scenes work he puts into providing such diverse and outstanding creative projects, in which our Mental Health Peer Support Group to participates.

After our first meeting with David several years ago, his upbeat positivity, enthusiasm and boundless energy have been unwavering, all our members’ lives have been enriched beyond measure through the impact of the opportunities and experiences he has given us. The activities he has arranged for us have had an indisputably beneficial effect in alleviating many of the issues we face as individuals with short and long term mental health issues. Anything that can lift that darkness of battling with your own mind, even if just for a short while, must be highly commended.

Group members have enjoyed

immensely: Creative Writing (with Paul), which led to a day out at a local nature reserve, the printing of an A1 poster with excerpts of members writing it and the publication of a short anthology, entitled “Solitude with Friends”. Learning Willow Weaving (with Susi), with a trip to Badger Farm. Felt Making (with Robyn), that started with learning to make a single piece of felt and culminated in a trip to Lincoln Castle to view the Magna Carta, then designing and making every piece of a felt banner which was included in “Festival 800” and presented by group members at the Collection in Lincoln. To our most recent venture (with Liz) writing a song from scratch entitled “Mindful Madness”, going to her recording studio for the day and now having had our own song and video produced.

These pursuits have helped and encouraged us to engage in events we would never have otherwise undertaken. Gaining knowledge and new skills has been amazing but the most significant factor is the powerful and far-reaching impact on our mental health issues; they have

made us happy, given us something to look forward to, reduced stress and isolation, given us a purpose for which to get out of bed or get out of the house, been therapeutic, made us realise we can accomplish things, made us proud of ourselves and& given us the inspiring and delightful feeling of a “once in a lifetime achievement”.

Which just leaves us to say, a massive “THANK YOU SO MUCH DAVID, EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE FOR US IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED” and we look forward to future endeavours.

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How can you register to receive Prompt texts:

Contact the Shine Network at [email protected] or Tel: 07969 872804

Pick up an application form from one of our Shine Local Hubs or download directly from www.lincsshine.co.uk (search “Prompt”)

Return the form by post or email to the Shine Network and start receiving texts

Notes:

Prompt texts are supplied as a reminder or boost to confidence, they do not replace your responsibility to manage your own personal circumstances

Shine Local Hub responsibility lies with supplying the application forms, they are not expected to assist you with the completion of them

Please contact the Network if you need help completing the form

You may at any time stop receiving the texts

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Still Staying Well The Staying Well project has now helped more than two hundred and fifty people improve their mental health with a small grant. This project is proving a big success and is becoming more and more popular.

Further information is available from:

Charles Cooke: [email protected] 07969 875464

Mike Martin: [email protected] 07969 872804

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Explaining what Steampunk is, is a personal statement. Ask more than one Steampunk what Steampunk is and you're likely to get more than one answer.....

To me Steampunk means the chance to mix with a splendid bunch of like-minded people whilst wearing a variety of hats. :-) Of course, that was the funny answer (though it is true), but seriously, Steampunks are a group of people who aren't just friendly but very welcoming. We accept people for who they are or who they'd like to be.

Steampunk gives you the opportunity to be someone else, when being yourself is perhaps a little daunting. It can be a form of escapism, if that is what you need. Not all Steampunks have character names - it's a choice. Whether you come to us as Joe Bloggs or Sir Side of Bacon, you'll be made welcome. There is no right or wrong way, it's your interpretation and everyone in the group is completely supportive of each others’ individuality. We meet weekly for a good natter, to laugh, share ideas and relax. Steampunk clothing is optional of course.

Some people are reluctant to join a group of strangers – as someone that suffered from severe anxiety and panic attacks I certainly was, so I can sympathise - but these 'strangers' will soon become friends. Whether you decide to become a 'full' Steampunk and adopt the

splendid attire is down to each individual. You can join us regardless. But .... it can be addictive. Once you purchase your first top hat or corset you'll want to take it further. You don't need a big budget for this. charity shops are full of items that you can adapt and tweak.

So, if you're what we term, "Steam-curious" please drop into our weekly gathering at Widow Cullen's Well on Steep Hill in Lincoln any Wednesday evening from 7 pm and check us out. We meet upstairs; there is wheelchair access from the Drury Lane entrance. In addition to the Wednesday meets we have various events throughout the year including picnics, trips out and quizzes. We are a diverse group of mixed ages and backgrounds and we are very family-friendly. I know from personal experience that we actively support each others’ well being. I have been able to rebuild my confidence and self-esteem in what has felt like a safe and accepting environment, as part of this group. If you are not sure about coming along and meeting us in person, then find us on Facebook..... Steampunks at The Well......... You can be yourself .... or someone else, we will be delighted to say 'Hello'.

Sharon Richardson Crane

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Keep up to date with the latest news, events and information on the Shine website

www.lincsshine.co.uk

Shine is at the end of its first year of being the Mental Health theme lead in The People’s Partnership. It has been listening to the voices of its members through group visits, surveys, direct contacts, emails etc, etc. Most useful has been the direct access granted to the Shine team working on the project by numerous small local groups across the County. These have been mainly community based peer support and activity organisations such as Desire Change, x-Church Kitchen, Louth Mindfulness. But also groups runs by charities and services such as Addaction, Alzheimers Society and Fibromyalgia Association.

This has produced a mass of interesting and useful information about how people with mental health problems experience life in Lincolnshire, the effect it has upon them, how they cope and what is good and bad about the services they use. The openness and honesty of the people who have been involved has been most rewarding. This inspires and informs Shine’s own work and its plans for future development.

However it has also offered the opportunity to have these voices heard in forums of strategic policy

development within the County Council. The council has sought the involvement of the People’s Partnership in several issues over the year, including

Non residential social care charging policy – how people are asked to make financial contributions to the cost of care services provided by the Council. The People’s Partnership promoted engagement of people in the public consultation and was influential in the development of the policy itself and information being used to explain it.

Transport Policy – Including a review of local bus subsidies where we were able to make representations on the impact that changes in public transport might have on people’s mental health, for which they often depend, to access the services and activities that gave value to their lives.

Suicide prevention – A new county strategy is being developed and we were able to be actively involved in the development workshop event. Our feedback has already resulted in changes to the suicide report and to the action plan now being worked on. An online survey is still being used to collect opinions about this and is available on the Shine website.

Self Care – A new programme of development of activities that help people cope better with life in Lincolnshire is being developed by Lincolnshire Health and Care. This is a co-operation between the County Council and the NHS to look at ways in which people might be supported to manage

their lives more successfully and prevent and cope with long term illness. The People’s Partnership has started to collect information through an online survey, again available on the Shine website and has contributed initial ideas about how this might develop.

Community Service Budgets – People’s Partnership were asked to contribute views of the impact of reductions in spending on specific areas of community service. Responses were made across a number of areas where funding was important to maintain and improve people’s quality of life, including constructive suggestions as to how the effects of cuts might be minimized or where services might be improved.

It must be emphasized that People’s Partnership has not endorsed any of the policies or strategies that it has been consulted upon, but there is detailed evidence that its contributions have been influential in the ways the Council will be carrying out its work in the future. This should mean greater sensitivity to the mental health needs of people in Lincolnshire and an improved quality of life.

The voices we are listening to are being heard, so please keep telling us what you think, what you feel is important and what you would like to see done about it. We cannot promise that everything you want will happen, but everything we can do will be based on the information and opinion you provide.

Charles Cooke Shine Director

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12 steps for Self Care

1. If it feels wrong, don’t do it. 2. Say “exactly” what you mean. 3. Don’t be a people pleaser. 4. Trust your instincts. 5. Never speak badly about

yourself.

6. Never give up on your dreams. 7. Don’t be afraid to say “No”. 8. Don’t be afraid to say “Yes”. 9. Be KIND to yourself. 10. Let go of what you can’t control. 11. Stay away from drama and

negativity. 12. LOVE

Only Today matters

by Sandra Goacher I feel good today. I will remember days like today. I feel tired, a little uncertain: frustrated that I’m not younger – to have more time to fulfil some of my dreams.

But I will hang on to today, when I feel excited about what might happen on the next good day. Bad days were plenty before, with no light to see. It was too late to change the course of my life.

Before, my days were filled with doing routine paid work just to survive – I was a martyr to myself. I was 30 plus. I felt middle-aged.

My good days now, mean that although I am middle-aged and don’t have as much time to enrich my life, I still have enough. I am a more interesting person because of my good days. My optimism causes me to behave like a 30-year old.

I have less energy than before; but what lacks now, is made up in mental strength.

I know bad days will come again. There will be uncertainty, and sadness. I may lose family members or loved friends. I may suffer with bad health. But uncertainty is part of life. Negative thoughts like ‘what if’, are not a normal part of life unless we make them so.

I want to show others who may feel inadequate, and are frustrated through lack of opportunities, how very tiring these thoughts are. They are self-destructive, and a drain on our energy. Situations that we cannot change

must be accepted – focus on what can be changed.

We must take stock of ourselves, then find a way out of our self-imposed rut – alone, or with the support of others.

Not everyone possesses self-confidence. But for those who don’t, don’t waste precious time wishing you knew how.

Now is the time to turn around any past, negative thoughts. Your inner self is who you have always been – child and adult. If a self-assertion course helps you to find that person again, go for it.

Become a good listener, and you will soon be aware of how likeable you are.

You will learn the art of conversation by centring on other people, gradually forgetting how timid you think you are.

Remember to let loose that funny person too in public, without wondering if you should.

So, because you have worked on overcoming your shyness, recognising your strengths, and planned strategies for life:

You will feel a sense of achievement.

You will inspire others with your optimism.

You will not feel victim to the bullies of this world who get what they want by putting down others weaker than themselves. You have learned how to stand up for your rights in a positive way.

You will be free.

First written 2001.

Revised 2005.

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TRANSFORMING LIVES AND BOOSTING COMMUNITY SPIRIT

by Glynis Fox

Lincolnshire’s breath-taking Wolds scenery is proving the perfect backdrop for a therapeutic enterprise that is changing lives and injecting extra vitality into a rural community.

Desire Change, an innovative Community Interest Company (CIC), is offering people of all ages opportunities to kick stress into touch, learn new skills, increase their confidence and gain fresh hope for the future.

The peaceful hamlet of Old Bolingbroke is home to this very special venture. Spread across three sites, which are part of a 200-acre farm, it’s the perfect green environment for those needing time to think, retrain or connect with other people.

Desire Change started life in nearby Claxby Pluckacre about four years ago. A year later, founder Angie Beal teamed-up with a local, supportive farmer, to drive forward this highly diverse enterprise.

But it is not only users of the service (volunteers) who are reaping the rewards. Residents of Old Bolingbroke and nearby hamlets are also benefiting, because trainees spruce up their gardens, nip to a nearby shop for essentials and even show people how to become IT savvy.

Angie lives in the village and cares for her mother, who has dementia, and her son – who is fighting back after suffering a health trauma. She was spurred to set up Desire Change at a time when she was in much need of support herself.

“I formerly worked as an Anti-Social Behaviour Co-ordinator in Lincoln, whilst also caring for my family. When I needed respite from the daily pressures of juggling all my commitments, I discovered there was nothing available locally,” she said.

“I chatted to other people about this and they agreed. I decided there was room for some kind of social enterprise and set up Desire Change after doing research into how farming and countryside activities could help people to stay well.”

The result is an enterprise which takes a truly multi-faceted approach to helping people to improve their health and wellbeing, by encouraging them to try their hand at farming, gardening and countryside crafts.

And the results speak for themselves. Volunteers, who may attend two or three times a week, or more occasionally, soon start to feel more positive about themselves, interact more freely and make new friends.

Desire Change Manager Angie Beal

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Some have also jumped at the opportunity to do apprenticeships and gain valuable skills for the future. Other volunteers have even gone on to take paid employment with Desire Change.

“People who come to us may have mental health issues, physical or learning disabilities. They may need to gain work experience or to retrain after being out of work for some time,” said Angie.

“We work closely with First College in Skegness to offer people the chance to gain qualifications. Some people don’t like learning in a college classroom environment but we are offering them an alternative way to study.”

“People can work towards achieving, say, a Level 3 NVQ in Accountancy, do a Level 2 NVQ Hospitality Apprenticeship, learn animal husbandry, painting, decorating and construction skills.”

“We have Cultivation Camp days, which are funded by the Lincolnshire Mental Illness Promotion Fund. Anyone can come along and simply enjoy a day with us.”

“Visiting tutors teach hedge-laying, willow-weaving, gardening and arts and crafts skills, but some people just love to escape from their everyday problems for a few hours and join us for a cup of tea.”

Laurel House is just one part of the Desire Change complex and the property and its outbuildings are being put to great use in a variety of ways.

Dementia Support Network funding has allowed Angie and her volunteers to build and equip a 1950s/60s-style Memory Kitchen, where families can take a parent or friend, and enjoy tea or a meal in an environment which encourages time for reminiscence.

Laurel House also boasts a Knowledge Hub. Desire Change has turned part of the property into a library, which is crammed with books about health, wellbeing, the great outdoors, helpful organisations, such as Shine – the mental health network for Lincolnshire - and

technology too.

“We would love to hear from anyone who would like to boost the library by donating self-help, counselling, health and wellbeing books,” said Angie.

Desire Change has realised that many of its volunteers would benefit from access to counselling services and this is another area where it takes a highly-innovative approach to improving people’s lives.

“We have a counsellor who works in partnership with us and people can benefit from fully-funded or part-funded sessions. Some people would not want to use this service if it meant they had to go along to a private clinic or hospital,” said Angie.

“However, our counsellor will talk to them while they are working with our farm animals, cleaning out the chickens or getting on with some gardening – anywhere where the volunteer will feel comfortable to chat.”

The Black Barn – a 1900s building which was originally a cinema – sits on a parcel of land which is being transformed into a wheelchair-friendly working garden and relaxation area.

Desire Change volunteers use this for a range of learning activities. At the same time they are creating something which future users of the service and visitors can enjoy. It is also being designed to generate funds for the organisation.

Stella, Emma, Ian and Lynn busy creating ble beds in The Black Barn Garden. Stella, Emma, Ian and Lynn busy creating vegetable beds in The Black Barn Garden.

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“The finished project will include vegetable and flower beds, a rose garden, rectangular lawn, wooden greenhouse and an outdoor toilet,” said Angie.

People are already using it to learn gardening skills, make wooden planters, bird houses, insect hotels and hedgehog homes, which can be sold at our frequent pop-up shops in the village or at countryside shows.

“We are also looking to sell the vegetables, fruit and flowers which we cultivate and perhaps also give items as gifts to supportive villagers, from time to time.”

Caring for Animals is an important part of this social enterprise and volunteers have the chance to work with cows, sheep, chickens, a trio of Alpacas and small animals. Everything they do is fully supervised.

The Alpacas are housed in a paddock area, which is also close to housing for pigs, guinea pigs and giant rabbits. Space in a neighbouring barn is being turned into a room for social use. This can also be booked by outside groups.

Desire Change encourages its volunteers to interact with the local community. Many love taking part in Bob-a-Job activities, which give them the chance to weed residents’ gardens, fetch essentials from the small shop in nearby East Keal, or show people how to send emails from their computers.

“However, we are completely open to new

ideas and suggestions from people if they think we can meet a need by introducing even more activities. We are happy to talk to them.”

The number of people using Desire Change at any one time varies. This enterprise scores highly when it comes to helping volunteers who prefer to work on a one-to-one or small group basis, rather than be with a huge crowd of people.

“We have eight paid staff, and most of them started out as clients. They are very flexible and we always match them with our new trainees, according to their individual needs and what they want to do,” said Angie.

No-one who meets Angie can doubt her commitment and passion to Desire Change but she and her colleagues on its steering committee are eager to see it grow and become self-sustaining.

“I absolutely love every minute of what I do. I receive so much help and support from other people who come to the farm. If I am having a difficult time with my mum or my son, working with others makes life feel more “normal,” she said.

“We have had some lovely success stories and seen people, who sometimes have trouble stepping outside their front door, blossom and become much more confident.”

“My dream is to continue providing a range of opportunities for people and to get to the point whereby our activities generate enough income to make us self-sufficient,” said Angie.

“I don’t want people who may be in need of our help and support to be deterred from coming to us, because we have insufficient income and have to charge them to access our services.”

Find out more about Desire Change by visiting their website at: www.desirechange.org

For further information and to find out how you could get involved Please contact Angie Beal on 01790 763898 or email [email protected]

Stella feeds Alpacas (left) Josh and (right)

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Desire Change - It Works for Us Bren Kew has come a long way since he arrived at Desire Change as a volunteer four years ago.

Originally from the Spilsby area, he had previously done factory jobs, but found himself out-of-work for a long time. However, he soon discovered that getting stuck into activities and getting plenty of fresh air were the best recipe for a new start.

It wasn’t long before he decided to take some extra exams and get qualified as a supervisor. Now he one of Desire Change’s eight-strong team of paid staff, who assist the enterprise’s founder Angie Beal.

“Coming here has really changed my life and I love helping new volunteers to settle in and get involved in a variety of activities. They might want to work with the animals, do some gardening or join in with our Bob-a-Job initiatives,” said Bren.

“They learn about all sorts of different things and countryside jobs which they might not realise are out there.”

Stella Kirk and her mum Lynn live in the Friskney area and both love spending time at Desire Change.

“I have been coming here since last Summer. I didn’t want to go and work in a big company or anything like that, I was looking for an alternative and really fancied working outside.”

“I was given the opportunity to do a traineeship programme and now I am working towards my

Apprenticeship in Hospitality. This is a great new experience which offers on the job learning.”

Stella particularly enjoys working with the animals, especially taking the farm’s Alpacas, Bramble, Jacob and Josh for a walk. Cooking and library work are other favourite activities.

“It’s all about getting exercise, building up trust and meeting other people. It’s made me more confident and ambitious,” said Stella.

Mum Lynn, who is a former hairdresser, also loves going along to the Old Bolingbroke centre.

“I was keen to get out and about, enjoy a taste of the outdoor life. So I just said, “Can I come along?” I’m really enjoying being involved and it is great to be able to share my life experience too,” she said.

Emma Bryan, who is from Skegness, and who has been hard at work in Desire Change’s newly-created garden, used to gain work experience at the Skegness Eco Centre.

“Now she is undertaking work experience at Desire Change and gaining new life skills and fresh confidence. Emma particularly enjoys getting involved in crafting days.”

Like Emma, Ian Smith-Scafer is working hard to boost his skills, so that he has a better chance of finding the right job in the future.

“Coming to Desire Change is increasing my confidence. I particularly enjoy getting out and about in the village and the opportunity to do odd jobs for residents, who sometimes give Desire Change donations,” he said.

Stella and Emma tempt Alpaca Bramble

Bren feeding the Cattle

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27th December 2015,

was the day I had decided my life was going to end. I had planned it meticulously over the past week. How, when and where; I had also thought long and hard about what I had put in my “farewell letters” to my wife, mother and other close family members. I wrote how I was terribly sorry I had been such a disappointment and failure.

The moment had come for me to meet my maker, but moments before I was to embrace my death I was interrupted; I was interrupted by a sound, the sound was my phone. I answered my phone. “Babe......where are you?” my wife said from the other end of the phone.

All I could do was cry, I poured my heart out to her. She told me not to come home but to go straight to the doctors. When I got to the surgery I was greeted by the wide smile of the receptionist and a cheery voice to match. “Hi can I help you?” she asked. Again all I could do was cry, the receptionist took me to a side room where there was

some privacy and she managed to extract through my broken voice the few vital details she needed.

Within minutes I was sat in front of my doctor, eyes red and still streaming with tears and for a whole hour my doctor sat and listened. She listened to how I had attempted suicide four times previously, she listened to how I felt like a failure and a let down and how I had convinced myself I was worthless, pathetic and had no more use in this world.

To me my life was nothing but my doctor disagreed, she sent me home and told me the Crisis Team would be at my door within the hour, and just as she said a man from the Crisis Team did indeed turn up within the hour.

He sat and just like my doctor he listened without interruption. After a what seemed like forever he finally spoke “Have you ever tried expressing your depression in a different way?” he asked

“How?” I asked

“Have you tried acting?”

My only answer was, “Are you crazy?”

He started telling me about a new theatre group that has been set up for people with mental health issues and the more he told me the more intrigued I became. Before the man left he gave me the phone number and told me to phone up and enquire more

about it.

I did just that the following day I picked up the phone and dialled the number hoping the line would be busy or not answered. Fortunately for me it was answered and after having a lengthy telephone conversation with Bill Rodgers he invited me to the next rehearsal session. With apprehension I walked in to Trinity Arts Centre and met up with Bill. “Shake my hand,” he said, and as I shook his hand he informed me I was now a member of Stepping Stone Theatre for Mental Health.

27th March 2016, exactly three months after wanting to end my life, I am STILL a member of Stepping Stone and with the help of Bill and his wife Kate Rodgers I no longer want to end my life, I have gained back a portion of my confidence and performed in Stepping Stones’ first ever production, a funny, powerful, touching and moving show called Confessions Of Me; and I have made some great friends in the cast who support me and accept me for who I am and not for the labels I have been given.

Now I look forward to a bright and happy future, and I laugh my way through each and every day because deep down we all know laughter is the best medicine.

Telephone Bill or Kate on: 0845 2605152

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Born April 1942 and by the time I was nine months old could lie in my pram and tell the difference between American, German and British aeroplanes and at 13 months could knit. By 18 months could cast on. Read Dickens, newspapers, etc by 36 months and could answer questions. Taken to see Dr Morgan at Stepping Stones in Bromley, Kent at that time in Elmfield Road. My IQ was 215 on the Binet scale. What to do with me? By 8 years of age I had been chucked out of three schools. As I was so bright. I argued with teachers and when I had finished my work went round the classroom dong all the other pupils work.

My parents sent me to a small private school, Penmore House at Catford, just over the border in London. I passed my 11+ in London and Kent County Council would not let me go to a Grammar School. Offered a place in Ashford but my mother who was frightened of trains would not let me travel. Thrown into a Secondary Modern school and hated it and felt punished for being bright [IQ was over 180]. At 13+ there were 14 girls who passed and only 7 places at the Tech. Cards were given out and I lost yet again.

I left school at 14 and worked in chartered accountants and gradually by attending evening classes for 12 years, five nights a week and attending Uni at weekends. I gained qualifications in Law, Accountancy and eventually Teaching of the subjects by attending Southlands College in Wimbledon.

I had not had any English lessons since the age of eight. Arithmetic lessons I had at junior school were far superior to the ones at

secondary school. Science lessons were very poor. I left school feeling uneducated, a position I was in till two years ago.

Ill for 50 years from 1944 until 1994 and found it was coeliac disease and dairy foods. Now with numerous allergies I decided to learn medicine and gained qualifications as a Naturopathic doctor and in 2002 on my 60th birthday gained a PhD in Immunology.

I have had nervous problems all my life as a consequence of the war. I was terrified of even putting on a light switch because I thought it would kill me. Thrown out of Guides as I could not light a match. At school in ILEA back in 1973 was teased because I would not drink alcohol and also scared of electricity and had a breakdown. I just could not cope. Eventually I also had a road accident and have not worked since. I am now 74 disabled with RA, OA and osteoporosis. I teach Tai Chi in Skegness and Mablethorpe, teach Chinese Medicine, Healing and other Natural medicine subjects.

Two years ago I made friends with a lovely lady called Christine. She is qualified in the subjects I did not learn at School. As a consequence she is helping me with English, [yes I know I have O level – a G in the morning and B in the evening on the same day in 1969] – she is teaching me Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Geography, Maths and English.

I have learnt much science in doing my courses but alas still managed to feel stupid as the youngsters from school had learnt so much more than I had,

Yes I have suffered much over 70 years because I am bright. I felt

different all my life. At long last I am receiving the help I pined for, for all those years. Learning what I missed. I did not need tablets and in fact only ever took Valium when very ill. My depression was because I felt uneducated. I did not need tablets.

I feel so well now. Have had help to get over my electricity problems at Maudsley. Still suffer with being nervous but not nearly so bad. I do not see anyone in the mental health field. Was told by one psychiatrist in Boston in 1992 that I was obsessed with my health and he was not going to help me. Yes I was, as I had allergies and didn’t know why I was so ill until 1994.

Yes I am qualified in many subjects. Maths GCSE was the hardest subject I learnt and thanks to David at the Day Centre in Boston I gained qualifications in Computers. I also preach for the Methodist Church.

Why did they give me tablets when all I wanted was to be taught what I missed at school?

Have been happily married for 49 years this year to Malcolm. Have spent years in Youth Club work voluntarily.

Dr Glennis Rogerson PhD I won’t type all my letters.

Foods I cannot have include Gluten, wheat, dairy, soya, alcohol, yeast, sugar, nuts, spices, herbs, salicylates, apples, pineapple, carrots and berried fruits. I am on a low fat diet because my body does not assimilate fats much. Cannot have any medication for the arthritis because of allergies. I am glad I learnt Natural Medicine.

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This newsletter is produced with funding from the Mental Health Promotion Fund secured by the Shine Network

The views expressed in the Shine Newsletter are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily represent those of the Editorial Team. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, we cannot be held responsible for alterations which occur during the publication process.

No anonymous articles will be published; however contributors may request that their names are withheld from publication

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Kindly proof read by John Dwane

Printed by: www.pelicantrust.org

Funny anecdotes from

my days as an inpatient in mental hospitals

Before I launch into my anecdotes, a disclaimer: I know that some people with mental health issues will not find these anecdotes funny in the least, and may even find one or more of them offensive. To those people, my apologies for sharing the stories, but I find being able to gently laugh at my illness, and at myself, very therapeutic, and I know there are many others like me out there, so this is for them.

1) When I was in St John’s in the early 1970s, a junior doctor asked me (in a thick Asian accent), “Mr Dwane, do you have vices?” I replied, “Well doctor, I don’t smoke, I only drink occasionally, but I do like chocolate, sweets and coffee”. “No, no” he said, “Do you have vices?” “I’ve just told you, I don’t smoke, don’t…”, and he interrupted, “No, do you have vices?” Both of us were becoming frustrated by now, and finally, after two more attempts at the question, the nurse in the corner taking notes piped up with, “John, I think the doctor is asking you if you hear voices!”

2) Again in St John’s, this time in 1985, I was sitting in the ward lounge with another patient beside me on the settee, and he said to me, “You’re so out of it, you don’t even know what day it is”. As he said this, in rushed Dr Jaya, the consultant psychiatrist, obviously desperate for a wee, and on seeing Beatrice, one of the female patients, coming out one of the toilets, he assumed the other must be the male one. What he didn’t know was that Beatrice liked to use the male toilets; it was part of her illness.

So having gone into the wrong toilets, Dr Jaya then ran out again, hotly pursued by his secretary, shaking her fist. I turned to the patient beside me and said, “I might not know what day it is, but at least I know which toilet to go in!”

3) In the Peter Hodgkinson Centre (PHC), in the early 1990s, I had read in a reputable publication that the human skull is made up of separate plates, which can move slightly from time to time. In a consultation with a junior doctor, Dr James, I made the mistake of sharing this knowledge. He said, “Oh, you really are deluded, aren’t you? We’ll need to increase your medication”. I asked him, “Dr James, how many years’ experience of psychiatry have you had?” He puffed out his chest and replied proudly, “Eighteen months, actually”. I retorted, “Well, I’ve had 27 years. When you’ve had that long, come back and see me again. Good morning”. He never spoke to me again.

4) Again in the PHC in the 1990s, the young Nursing Assistant was handing out the customary cake after Sunday tea, and said to me, “John, are you a chocolate cake?” I replied, “No Debbie, I’m a fruitcake; that’s why I’m here, didn’t you realise?” All the other patients in the dining room burst out laughing, but poor Debbie didn’t find it funny at all.

Those are my anecdotes. I could tell you more stories, but many of them are not funny at all, so as a positive person, I will not share them here, but I hope at least some of you will enjoy those I have shared.

(Note: Names have been changed to protect the innocent).

John Dwane

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How do we cope

I really don't know

One minute high

Next minute low

Trying to make plans

Causes such distress

No wonder some of us

Get in such a mess

We get the shakes

Get short of breath

The heavy heartbeats

Scares us nearly to death

Then we can't move

Laying in our beds

Can't settle down

Thoughts flooding our heads

We put on a show

Say we're ok

Hoping beyond hope

We'll have a better day

This is my wish

To all of my friends

Hope you have good days

And happiness never ends.

Simon Callaby Shine Ambassadors For further information please email:

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