{"id":546,"date":"2018-07-09T12:43:41","date_gmt":"2018-07-09T11:43:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bbostaffs.org\/?p=546"},"modified":"2020-04-16T11:06:47","modified_gmt":"2020-04-16T10:06:47","slug":"the-help-ive-had-is-fantastic-and-has-helped-both-my-mind-and-body","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bbostaffs.org\/the-help-ive-had-is-fantastic-and-has-helped-both-my-mind-and-body\/","title":{"rendered":"“The help I\u2019ve had is fantastic and has helped both my mind and body.”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Claire has benefited from a holistic support package from Building Better Opportunities that has had a positive impact on all aspects of her life.<\/p>\r\n

\u201cPreviously life has been a struggle, which in turn has added to my worries and stresses.\u00a0 Before joining the programme I was very isolated.\u201d\u00a0 Claire has arthritis in her hip and has been crippled by mental health problems for years, \u201cI would try and hide myself when going out anywhere.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t want people to see me because of the way I walk and the way I look.\u00a0 I struggled to face society, it was a struggle to go to the shop or just to even go out.\u00a0 I would cross over the road to avoid people whether I knew them or not.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Claire\u2019s mental health battles have dominated her life for a long time. \u201cPreviously I\u2019ve wanted to hurt myself. I\u2019d been in a very dark place for a long time.\u201d Locking herself away, losing contact with friends and family, Claire had begun to merely exist and forgotten what it was to live a happy and fulfilled life.<\/p>\r\n

Relying on medication for her depression and anxiety, Claire was stuck in a lonely cycle of low self-worth, zero confidence and minimal self-care.\u00a0 Through Building Better Opportunities, Claire has been introduced to a new holistic approach to her health and wellbeing.\u00a0 \u201cThe help I\u2019ve had is fantastic and has helped both my mind and body. I now have access to the gym where I attend two or three times a week and work with a trainer.\u00a0 Exercising is helping me both physically and mentally.\u00a0 It\u2019s a great feeling I have when I leave.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cBuilding Better Opportunities is a big umbrella of help and support and most importantly it\u2019s hands-on support.\u00a0 I\u2019ve had support from the Citizens Advice Bureau who have helped me to reduce my utility bills.\u00a0 Challenge Academy, which is something I never dreamt I would be able to do but I did do it.\u00a0 I achieved something I never thought I\u2019d do and that gave me such a confidence boost.\u00a0 I\u2019ve completed training including my First Aid Certificate and I\u2019m starting another course next week.\u00a0 I visit the Recovery Hub twice a week for classes that support my mental wellbeing.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

How BBO Supported Claire<\/h2>\r\n

Research shows, that when we\u2019re depressed, we start to lose respect for ourselves.\u00a0 Building Better Opportunities has supported Claire to rebuild her self-worth and to prioritise self-care. \u201cThe programme has raised my aspirations, I dress up now.\u00a0 I like nice clothes and I take pride in my personal appearance.\u00a0 I feel like the belle of the ball.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

As well as the activities on their personal action plan, participants also attend weekly or bi-weekly Work Clubs that operate across Stafford and South Staffordshire.\u00a0 Claire has been attending the Codsall Work Club on a Thursday morning where she is familiar face among participants and staff alike.\u00a0 \u201cThanks to coming here, it\u2019s excelled all positive things in my life.\u00a0 Every part of life has improved and just keeps getting better.\u00a0 The friendships and the kindness I\u2019ve received make you realise there are positive things in the world.\u00a0 I\u2019ve now got so much going on, the routine is helping to keep me busy, which in turn helps my depression.\u00a0 I feel like I have a purpose now.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Attending activities, workshops and training has all contributed to reducing the isolation Claire was previously experiencing.\u00a0 She is now a bubbly character who talks passionately about the Building Opportunities programme and fondly of her new friendships and support network. \u201cBuilding Better Opportunities has had a domino effect on my life.\u00a0 We all vibe of each other, supporting each other and achieving together.\u00a0 I love team working and mixing with people of all ages and abilities, it\u2019s been comforting meeting people in the same boat as me.\u00a0 I fit in here.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Reflecting on how far she has come on her journey to overcoming obstacles, Claire says:\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s very easy to slip into insolation mode but here I have the feeling of being wanted and knowing you\u2019re not alone. I feel important coming here, you\u2019re part of everything and never looked down on.\u00a0 The help I\u2019ve had is fantastic. It was like being brought in from out of the cold after so many years where I felt very alone.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

\u201cI would advise everyone to come.\u00a0 Without the help I\u2019ve received I wouldn\u2019t be here.\u00a0 Clare, Ryan, the whole team in every way; emotionally, financially, physically, mentally.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know how I would have managed without them.\u00a0 It\u2019s changed my life.\u00a0 It\u2019s been like winning the lottery but even more valuable!\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Claire advises others in a similar position to her, to not suffer alone, she says: \u201cPlease come and join in, the people here are wonderful.\u00a0 I was in a really dark place and coming here is a ray of sunshine.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

How Can We Help You?<\/h3>\r\n

Building Better Opportunities Stafford and South Staffordshire works with residents across Stafford and South Staffordshire who are experiencing multiple barriers to employment.\u00a0 It\u2019s a bespoke programme, meaning each and every person that joins has an individual action plan that aligns with their personal needs.\u00a0 The programme is completely free for all participants, meaning you\u2019re able to focus 100% on improving your personal, financial and employability skills.\u00a0 This programme is jointly funded by the European Social Fund and National Lottery Community Fund.<\/p>\r\n

To find out more about Building Better Opportunities Stafford and South Staffordshire complete the green form below, call us on 01902 696 228 or email bbostaffs@gmail.com<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n