Promising Links Group
- Written by: Linda Armstrong
- Published: 5th December 2017
One of our Promising Links Group members tells us tells us about taking the first step to tackling isolation and loneliness.
I have been attending the Promising Links Group since the very first meeting in August 2015 and it was probably one of the better decisions that I have ever made. It was certainly not easy though and it took a lot of encouragement from my GP and family to persuade me to go.
I was outside of my comfort zone and I was terrified!! I was such a mess and apart from various physical health issues, I also suffered from depression, anxiety, agoraphobia and loneliness, I also stuttered so badly that I avoided any social contact.
After about three meetings however, I became to know the other people in the group and although we all had different health issues, the common denominator was LONELINESS.
We all had something in common.
I began to open up to the other members and slowly it became easier and easier to share my feelings. No-one judged me and everyone had an opinion (or two) to help me. I found myself looking forward to Tuesday mornings when we all got together.
We talk a lot and listen to each others problems but most of all, we laugh—- and we laugh a lot!
Thanks to the Promising Links Group, I now have more confidence. I feel so much more in control of my feelings and I no longer stutter! As an extra bonus I have also made some friends for life.
I still have some bad days, even weeks, when I feel that life is hopeless, but it is such a comfort to know that I have the love and support of the group to help me through these bad times.
I have recently been nominated as secretary of the group. Something that would have been unimaginable two years ago.
I am forever grateful to my GP at the Garscadden Burn Medical Practice for referring me to this wonderful group and for improving the quality of my life.
End of page.
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