We are a self help group and we meet every Monday in the back room of the Pig in Paradise on Hastings Sea Front from 11:00-12:00.
The 5 aims of our group are:
» To give people the chance to socialise
» To help prevent isolation
» To give people a chance to talk to others that have 'been there'
» To encourage members to meet up on bank holidays
» To help build each others confidence
Please just turn up or contact us for more details:
07732 732968 - Heather (Co-ordinator)
01424 442435 / su@activ8network.org - Su (Focus on Mental Health)
About the group
The Social Group was an idea by two service users, about five ago.
At that particular time it was held on the pier and it was cold! Numbers were low, but that did not worry any of us. The important thing was, that you had someone to share your problems with, and you had a listening heart.
It soon became apparent that we needed somewhere warmer to meet, so we moved our venue to "The pig in Paradise".
The two founder members of the group moved on to pastures new and I was soon to find myself as facilitator. I had previous experience having been a youth club leader, but nothing had prepared me for the organising of outings and social events that I have arranged over the past three and a half years.
The success of the group is the loyalty of the group members and the trust they put in me and in each other.
Unlike some groups we have no geographic boundaries, we currently have members from Hastings, Bexhill, St Leonards, Battle, Burwash and Rye.
Here is what one member wrote when asked "Why do you attend the social group, when you live so far away?"
"Going to the 'Pig' gets me out of the house and gets me meeting people I enjoy talking to people, but I also listen to others who have had problems. Its good because there is no pressure on me to do more than I want or can do. Being forty minutes from Hastings, I do not go on many trips, but I still get a warm greeting when I go on Mondays. Also if I miss a couple of meetings Heather is on the phone asking if I am OK. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. Long may the group last!" (Tony)I asked his Sister "How do you think the group has helped Tony?"
"The social group has given my Brother more confidence that he had when he started attending the group and now he likes to help others when he can" (Julie)
For somebody coming to the Social Group for the first time it can fell very daunting and they may be full anxieties and fears. I try and make this a little bit easier by trying to meet new members at the door. I also encourage new members to bring along a friend or relative for moral support and there are a few who need a little one to one meeting before attending the group. Here is how one member felt on her first day at the social group."I remember having anxiety about going to the group for the first time. I am naturally introverted and tend to feel more confident in one to one friendships. I worried how I was going to overcome my nervousness of going to a group that had started up many years ago, where the other members knew each other well and I would be the new one. I have been going to the group for five months now and the Pig in Paradise is a relaxing venue for us to chat and socialise. Coming to the group is part of my social life, where I enjoy the companionship of the other members. We can all share life together, whether we laugh or talk about personal concerns. Going out together on day trips has strengthened our group. We always have a good time together" (Sandra)
An agenda of outings is arranged early in the year, but we are always flexible. At the end of every year Dean and I send out questionnaires to see how they feel about the group and they have the opportunity to say where they want to go next year.This is what a member said when asked "Which outing did you enjoy most"
"I would have to say the trip to France and Belgium and especially going through the channel tunnel, I thought I would never go through it, as I have said in the past (even when the were building it) you would not catch me going through there! I was so frightened that somebody would plant a bomb and I would never get out alive. I have also really enjoyed going to the White Rock Theatre to see things like Abba, Queen, Aladdin and Joseph" (Marina)
One member when asked about going abroad said "I thought because I had mental health problems I couldn’t go abroad!"
As a group we have aims and we hope to achieve them. There is no input from "professionals", we just understand and empathise with each other.
Heather Porter-Tailor Co-ordinator of the Focus Social Group.