Looking To The Future

There’s ten of us that met through the ‘Big Night In’ held on a Monday night. It’s a food and fun session for families in Charleston Community Centre started by Community Learning and Development workers with support from WM2U. It’s been an opportunity for families to spend time together, and whilst the kids are playing, we parents talk to one another and to the workers about what matters to us. We also went on a three-day residential programme to explore what we wanted for ourselves, our families and our community. For me, that was life-changing. I feel like I have unlocked a whole new part of myself that I never thought I would explore. It has giving me a new outlook on a range of aspects in my life, I feel different, I think differently, and I am in a much more positive place mentally. I have been stuck for a while, but now I am ready to do something, be something! It has opened my eyes to what I can be. I am excited to use these new skills to continue to take on new learning opportunities and grow as a person. Since I got home, I feel the same. I have come on so much more in two months than in ten years on anti-depressants. I want to expand my learning opportunities and gain qualifications.

The other parents had a similar experience and have said that they, their families, and people they meet have been noticing real differences in how they feel and what they are doing. There’s much more of a sense of looking to the future now, rather than living day to day. And we all have ideas for change for ourselves and in the community. We will continue to support each other and get support from the local CLD team. We’re making plans, so watch this space!

Read our next next Story of Change here.

Charleston Matters

Your experience of WM2U

….it is such a simple concept, but it is so powerful. They have something to talk about which is positive and it changes the whole atmosphere of people’s conversations. They can talk about really big serious issues which are worrying them, when they are ready, and they get to do the activity which is meaningful, purposeful thing. …It is the most important therapeutic intervention you can have on so many levels. It doesn’t exclude anyone – it is suitable for all ages and all backgrounds. Everyone can do something and communicate with each other about it – it levels people.

(Community Allotment Officer)

I want to be involved in the mental health…to give adults support with their children. There’s not enough out there, not enough services, I had to phone the CPN because things during lockdown got very tough….I felt as if I was just brushed under the carpet. I felt there just wasn’t enough support. That’s what I really want to be a part of. It’s extremely important for children and adults.

Us developing this Hub within the school takes away the fact that there’s parents out there that have the fear factor of authority. I would love to be the middleman – and take that away from them, and be able to offer them a service that takes away the fear factor and stops people not wanting to reach out for help when they need it, and then it’s too late. … it will alleviate a lot worse – down the line….generally the figures are a lot worse, higher, because people don’t have ability to reach out – the fear factor, ‘if I contact social work they’ll take the kids off me’ – that’s the thought process! I want to try to take that away.