Improved Mental Health – The Proof Is In The Smiles

On a lovely, sunny Friday, myself and Nadége (new to the Impact team) met at the Grove Theatre in Dunstable for a Pop-In.

Little did we realise that by the end of the two hour session, we would be overwhelmed by success stories, peer support and a whole lot of laughter and proof of improved mental health.

Pop-In’s are open to all those who have attended a You Programme and as such, we often see two’s and three’s from different programmes coming together for a relaxed two hours, drinking tea and sharing life stories and to find out what’s going on in Impact or elsewhere.

Today was no exception, with three people from one group and two from another group delivered in 2016. What made today so spectacularly special was the success stories shared by all. Not only are the Three Musketeer’s (I’m sure they won’t mind this!) still meeting each week from their attendance in May, to attend Aquarobics – they NOW meet 3 times a week and visit the gym before attending their much loved time in the pool.

So I asked them “What makes you all keep going?” I received an onslaught of reasons, ranging from ‘friendship’ ‘fun’ ‘laughter’ ‘feeling good’ and ‘just getting out of the house’. One person told me how the staff at their local leisure centre greet them with a smile and by name now “and they know all about us!” he said. Another told me of a telephone conversation she had with her father “Hi dad, are you sitting down?” Why, he said? “I’ve got a gym membership!!” This, from someone who readily admitted to not ‘moving’ much.

They unanimously agreed that their friendship and attendance at the centre has helped them and the staff there, to break down a few barriers, increase their community inclusion whilst continuing to support each other’s health and wellbeing.

If that wasn’t enough, and not to be outdone…! The ‘Duo team’ separately announced that they had both found work in the last two weeks, one of which starts next week and the second in three weeks’ time. That would be enough to celebrate, right? Not so, one of the duo also went on to say that, her years of a very poor sleep pattern (In fact, I think we may have used this as an example in our Cycle of Change session in June…!) has finally been broken and with a proud smile on her face admitted to regularly sleeping 6 to 7 hours a night. Simply brilliant.

Honestly, between the raucous laughter and sharing of achievements, Nadege and I barely said a word but had the biggest grins on our faces for hours after…

It wasn’t just the stories, the friendship, laughter or achievements, it was the sense of empowerment and hope that radiated from them all and the journey they have travelled together for their own recovery since attending a You Programme. Infectious? Most definitely. :-)

Déanne

For more information about our You Programmes, Pop-Ins and our new Pathways to Recovery Programmes, please go to our events calendar.