Cath’s story – Shortlist nominee for the Self Management Champion Award

“Getting my life experience, it was hard, but now I can help others and that is a special thing. It helps me as much as it helps them.”

“When the company I worked for closed down and I lost my job, I found myself at a bit of a loss so with the support of the Moray Wellbeing Hub and Arrows, Morays Drug & Alcohol Service, I set up and facilitated a peer support group. I had previously volunteered with these organisations, providing support for people in my community and I saw the need for a group focusing on substance use and mental wellbeing; I know that a lot of challenges in our lives can be linked back to trauma and poor mental health and many people use substances as an escape.

I let the group guide me on what they wanted to do in each session and we did a lot of creative activities like cross-stitch, kindness jars, collaging, stone painting and colouring in. It helped them to leave the sessions with more positive thoughts than those they came in with. We also had evenings where children and families could come along together. They could cook together, play board games and engage in creative activities.  We had a quiz night as well. It was about building family and community connections and supporting each other through shared experiences.

It gave people the space to voice their challenges without the fear of being judged, they were able to talk about their mental health and the struggles they were facing, knowing that their business would stay in the room.  Folk were able to share positive stories about their recovery too, which was lovely.

I created a safe, warm and welcoming environment. I made it a space for people to be heard, understood and validated, by peers who have been there. It was a place to meet new and familiar people, a way to give hope that change can happen, and that life can get better. It was important for me to allow people to build connections and to know that they are not alone. There are so many benefits of peer support; it helps you to find your identity and empowers you to bring some meaning into your life. By going to a session and meeting people, not only are you getting help but you are also helping others and it hopefully inspires people to make the changes they want to see in their life. I would strongly encourage people to go to peer support groups if they are lacking in CHIME (Connection, Hope, Identity, Meaning and Empowerment).  Getting my life experience, it was hard, but now I can help others and that is a special thing. It helps me as much as it helps them.

It has sadly come to an end as I now have work and I don’t have time to do both. The feedback from the group has shown that there is a need for peer groups in this area and I would love to do it as a job, but the funding just isn’t there. It’s very sad really but I am proud of what we achieved.”

This story has been shared in collaboration with the ALLIANCE’s Self Management Awards, which form a part of Self Management week.

The ALLIANCE Self Management week is from Monday 23 September 2024 – Thursday 26 September 2024. For more information please click this link.

Read more inspiring Humans of Scotland stories here.

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