Stoke-on-Trent area / or pen pals?

[pretty flamingo]

Hey,

I'm new here. I was wondering if there's anyone in or around Stoke-on-Trent? Would be lovely to chat to some local people! I'd also love to hear from anyone who might want to be pen pals (email/PM/whatever).

I have had a pretty rough time lately, and have moved back in with my parents, but I don't really know many people where I live and have ended up feeling quite lonely and isolated. So it would be nice to have people to talk to who understand what it's like!

I'm 25, female. I struggle a lot with anxiety these days. I work part time. I like running and crafts. And cats.

H. :flowers:

[MyNameIsTerry]

Hi pretty flamingo,

Have you heard of Changes? They run weekly walk-in groups for people to talk to other mental health issue sufferers. They also run free courses, coffee mornings, music groups, meals, etc. They can be a good place to look at to socialise with others and some sufferers volunteer with them (some train up as meeting coordinators). They have a website if you want to see what they do.

[pretty flamingo]

Hi Terry,

Thanks for your reply. I have actually heard of Changes, but somewhat ironically, have always been to anxious to go! I will hopefully get there at some point, it does sound like something that could be helpful.

[MyNameIsTerry]

I think you would find most people feel the same, if not all. I had already done 1-2-1 CBT and had been getting myself better but it was still difficult for the first so many times that I went to the meetings. Several of the longer term members came over to me at the break and said hello again and started off saying not to worry as it gets easier to come. They were right.

All the meeting coordinators are current or ex sufferers. The whole charity are. One of the coordinators from one of the other locations was standing in one day and talked about this. He said he had gone from a job travelling and working in a typically "mans" job to feeling he couldn't do much of anything. Pretty typical with these disorders, it did the same to me. He then explained how hard he found it to attend the meetings. The first 6 months he sat in his car outside and couldn't approach the building. Then one day he found the strength and went in. He spent a load more time just coming and sitting in reception. The staff didn't mind. Eventually he got through the next door and into the meeting. Later he trained up to be a meeting coordinator. (NVQ at Newcastle college I think)

I went for just over a year so if you need to know about what goes on in them, just ask. I always found everybody very understanding and supportive.

[Ryannn]

Hi, I'm always up for a chat' I've been pretty isolated myself too and just generally been going through a rough time lately and wouldn't mind talking with someone.

[Westmidschris]

Heya I'm Chris from Wolverhampton I also suffer anxiety if you ever fancy a chat etc just message me

[Magic]

Hi there, I am from Stoke. I often go to Newcastle. I don't know anything about Changes. I have off days and am a big panic person also anxiety drives me up the wall at times. pretty flamingo, I have never been fond of cats. We have always had dogs.
I have just learned that my daughter has had a cat from a cat home. The cat is two years old. Don't know how I will take to it as we visit my daughter on a regular basis.
take care x

[ben johnson]

hay lee,

im 21, male from trowbridge. I suffer from paranoia, anxiety, panic attacks and depression. I am will to chat as well ether on here or on another social network?? I isolated myself from people because of my paranoia so I know where your coming from kind of.

thanks

ben
-X-

[Wanderlust]

Hi, I am Chris, Ido not live in Stoke any more sadly but happy to email one to one with anyone, I deal with Panic/anxiety/depression, many years of experience and happy to listen and share.
Just Pm me an email and I will get back to you.

[MyNameIsTerry]

Hi there, I am from Stoke. I often go to Newcastle. I don't know anything about Changes.

Hi Magic :flowers:

They have a website if you Google Changes Stoke. They run a weekly evening walk-in group at the Newcastle Congregational Church and another at the Unitarian Meeting House.

[Magic]

Thanks Terry x

[adam85]

i live in newcastle under lyme looking to chat make new friends as bern so isolated because no really understood my mental illness