Francesca’s story
“I want to continue to do the things I love and knowing there is someone I can talk to and someone encouraging me...is a great support."
The staff in my local GP surgery referred me to a Community Link Worker (CLW). I have been struggling with my mental health, depression and anxiety recently and they have been a real support to me. It is great that they are based in GP surgeries as it allows me to have an appointment with my GP and then see my Link Worker for the social support I need.
I am really interested in photography, particularly wildlife, nature and landscapes. I like going camping and I take my camera with me. My CLW managed to get me a refurbished laptop from The Black Door Shop and I have been able to get a few memory cards, so I have somewhere to save all my photos. I struggle with technology but my Link Worker also put me in touch with the ALLIANCE digital team, and they have helped me learn how to use the laptop. I am planning to start a digital course from Glasgow Libraries as well so that will hopefully help me learn more and make me more confident to use my laptop.
One of my other hobbies is watching and collecting old films. I have a big DVD collection – I’m a real movie buff. There is a movie group in my local LGBT community, they meet up to talk about films and you can share you favourite movies and watch them together.
I am also interested in fishing, fly fishing mostly. The Glasgow Angling Centre are really welcoming and I feel comfortable going in there. I am transsexual and I have had a lot of hassle in my community from ignorant people. I have recently been mistreated in a couple of shops in town. All I want to do is buy new clothes for myself and get on with my life, but it can be quite challenging. I don’t think people realise that they are causing so much harm. I try not to let it get to me and to carry on with the things that I enjoy but it can be hard. I have been feeling bogged down by it and I have been sleeping a lot and isolating myself. My CLW has referred me to LGBT Wellbeing Glasgow a couple of times, but I haven’t been ready to connect. She is great because she is trying to help me with social integration. She tells me about groups in my community and things that may be of interest to me like the local park group, Friends of Pollock Park, and birdwatching groups. I want to continue to do the things I love and knowing there is someone I can talk to and someone encouraging me to get out there and live my life is a great support.
Francesca’s story is part of the latest Humans of Scotland publication – Community Links Worker Edition. The book is available to read here.
Read all Humans of Scotland stories here.
End of page.