We're a registered organisation that offers a support network for women affected by mental health, across Cornwall.
We offer peer support groups, activities and other resources to help women come together and support one another in their mental health journeys.
1 in 4 people suffer from a mental health issue. this means that, even if it’s not you, it’s someone you know – maybe even someone you love. Approximately only 1 in 10 people are currently receiving help for their mental health. In 2019 it was estimated that there would be two million more people affected with mental health issues by 2030. Due to COVID-19 these numbers have increased.
It’s a long one, so bear with…..
It’s hard to believe that we’ve been established since 2019. It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was crashed out on my sofa, signed off from work with ‘work related stress’ and was wondering how I was going to cope with returning to a job that made me hate waking up every morning.
I knew I had to leave, and I did eventually – but in the meantime, I wanted to do something about something that was such a big part of my life. Mental Health!
My mental health spiralled after the birth of my first child. It was an extremely traumatic labour and resulted in a diagnosis of Postnatal Depression. This soon evolved into full-blown depression. Fast forward and here I am with depression, anxiety and PTS. Oh, brain, you’re really spoiling me 🫤
So it seemed natural to focus my passion for mental health and start something that could help others. And so, Your Voice, Cornwall was launched & our story began.
We’ve had a challenging ride. Covid hit us quite hard (as it did so many) and slowed us in our tracks. But it didn’t stop us; we continued supporting women where we could with what we had. But we sometimes feel that we’re a ‘forgotten’ organisation. Women say that they “don’t feel it’s their time to be heard“, and that hurts.
I know how much I want to be heard. I know what it is to wake up and feel a heavy weight on my chest, which seems to gain traction as the day unfolds. I know what it’s like to dread seeing people, knowing they’ll ask how I am, and I’d have to bare-face lie and say, “I’m fine!” I know the nauseous feeling that hits when my mental health dips, I struggle to leave the house, and all I want to do is lie on the sofa and pretend the world outside doesn’t exist. It’s a scary tv show that I could turn off and throw away the remote!
And I know the feeling of not wanting to be here anymore – wishing that the ground would open up, swallow me and wipe my very existence from the memory of everyone that knew me.
How fu**ed up is that?!
Sadly I’m not alone. But at the same time, I’m thankful that I’m not alone. Because so many women feel like this, come along to our groups and hear the words, “You’re not alone!“
Believe it or not, those words can be a lifeline!
They’re the raft that drifts by when you’ve been bobbing about in a sea of pain and disconnection, feeling like you’re about to go under at any moment.
They’re the light that flicks on just as you feel like the darkness will swallow you whole, and you won’t even touch the sides.
And they’re the arms that reach out and grab you as you trip on the stairs of life, tummy about to exit your body through your mouth as you’re going to tumble down the stairs, backwards!
If it sounds dramatic to you, then I’m thankful that you’ve never reached those awful depths of poor mental health. And I hope you never, ever do.
But if you do, please know that organisations are here to support you. But we need help to do it.
We especially need your help!
We’re a (mostly) self-sufficient organisation that receives little funding. We live day by day, hoping that our break will come and we won’t have to watch the bank balance dwindle down to a level that has us nervous.
We don’t want to have to delay launching new groups because our funds won’t allow it.
We don’t want to limit our activities because our bank says ‘NOPE’, and we don’t ever want to turn away women… women who desperately need to hear “you’re not alone”, because the pot is so light.
So, we always welcome any offers of financial support, support, fundraising, sponsorship and anything else you can do to help us continue to help the women of Cornwall who are impacted by poor mental health.
Thanks for your time,
Tash
(Founder)
Our primary service is peer support groups for women 18+x The support groups enable women to meet up, in various locations around Cornwall, and enjoy time with other women who are experiencing Mental Health issues.
What to expect:
Each group offers a very informal, relaxed and completely confidential environment; with refreshments provided and an opportunity to chat, as well as listen. Nobody is obliged to talk. Many members prefer to just listen at first.
You set the pace and we will follow your lead.
The groups are hosted by a facilitator who has their own lived experience of poor mental health. Some may have formal Mental Health experience/qualifications but they are there to mediate the session and offer personal support - not offer a counselling service or offer any medical/professional advice. The groups are about feeling no pressure, no judgment and no trying to fix anyone.
Each group meets fortnightly and no booking is required. You can refer yourself to a group - but many members come to us after being referred by their GP, Social Prescriber or another organisation.
Some facilitators may introduce activities during the group to break up the session. These may be journaling, sketching or something as simple (but, strangely fun) as colouring. Again, there's no pressure to join in but some ladies find it helps them relax a bit and chat away.
OUR ORGANISATION IS JOINING THE MENTAL HEALTH CHARTER AND PLEDGING TO :
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