Page 19 - Manchester Mind Annual Report 2021-2022

A poll is taken after every group and on average:
82%
of participants who completed the poll commented that they had found the group they attended helpful.
11%
said it was partly helpful.
Mood wise – people generally shifted to feeling happier at the end of the group.
Annual Review 2021-22
“I joined the zoom peer support group and am glad I did at a bad point in my life. I have had counselling a few times over the years but it hasn’t really helped me. The hour you get at counselling, half is spent box ticking which made my anxiety worse. I left feeling worse than when I went in. The zoom group has helped me as like-minded people to talk to who know how your mental health can affect every part of your life on bad day or trigger you on good days. It’s a safe place. Talking to family and friends in the past have made me more anxious as I found out they haven’t kept what I am going through private, I felt I was just someone’s gossip. No one makes me go to the zoom group. I don’t have to always talk about my mental health, sometimes I talk about things I’ve done like gardening, etc., in the week, and 3 simple ticks at the end on feedback isn’t gruelling. I just know zoom has made me feel better after a meeting. The people are all lovely. I don’t feel judged. I can get feelings of paranoia amongst strangers but have never there. It feels like family, home for me. Each Friday I look forward to seeing and talking not a feeling of dread.”
For volunteers who facilitate and lead the groups almost 100% say that they have increased confidence in facilitating groups, improved their skills and improved mental health. One volunteer also told us
“...skills gained from peer support have facilitated a smooth transition into paid work. Understanding various mental health issues, how to act in a trauma informed way, and feel comfort in silence, has enable me to begin work within a paid Mental Health Support Worker role with confidence, and with the best skills possible to provide support for the service users I work with.” Peer Support Volunteer
“By joining the peer support group, I hoped to receive understanding and acceptance - which I have. I was relieved to find how relaxed the group setting is and how welcome I was made to feel. The
group have helped me feel more secure and content in my day to day life by reassuring me my concerns are valid.”
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