The Magic of Showing Up (and Believing!) There's a special kind of feeling when you're setting up for something you've poured your heart into. We arrived at the cinema, those familiar butterflies fluttering as we laid out the materials, anticipation buzzing in the air. 11 am ticked by, and a little whisper of "where is everyone?" crept in. We've all been there, right? That moment of wondering, "Did we do enough?" Did we share enough on social media? Did we miss a local group?

I know many of you understand that feeling of doubt. You put your all into something, and then… you wait. But even in those moments of uncertainty, there's always a spark of hope. I remembered talking to someone at our last session, and it reminded me how important it is to connect directly with people. We took a moment to show them how to navigate our WhatsApp channel, and their eyes lit up as they discovered all the updates. It was a beautiful reminder that sometimes, we just need to guide each other.

Then, this morning, a little ray of sunshine! A visit to my doctor, who’s been so supportive of Take P-heART, turned into a moment of pure joy. He told me that people are talking about what we're doing in meetings! Hearing that our efforts are making a difference, that we're reaching people, fills my heart with warmth.

And then, the magic began. At 11:30 am, one person arrived, then another, and another! Social media, it seems, was working its wonders after all. The cinema has been incredible, sharing our events in their emails, and we're so grateful for their support. And even better news: we'll be featured in the Sutton Scene in April!

It's clear, isn't it? We're growing. We're proving that we're needed. We're creating a community, a space where people can come together and enjoy the magic of conversation, arts and crafts. And most importantly, we're here for you.

To everyone who's been a part of this journey, thank you. Thank you for believing in us, for showing up, and for being a part of something truly special. We're here for you, and we invite you to come and join in the joy!

Merry Christmas. Ok, yes, its almost over, but now is when I have time to sit down with a glass of ... Yeah ok, JD Honey and Coke.

After cooking a turkey, large enough for 14 people ( there is 3 of us, plus dogs and cats ), I realise that this business has consumed me. Im either providing care which is needed for a good portion of the day, or im looking at the business which now consists of the website, looking for funding, attending several stearing forums, attending support groups I co-host and well, we will get to the next bit shortly, but I need to apologise to those who I usually contact to say Merry Christmas or interact in some way.

And you know why? did you know there were over 75 thousand people alone last year? I want to do my best to help bring that number down.

I have funally got 3 directors for the business to go ahead and should have the bank account finalised on Friday, which is our event launch day. Yes, thats right, free events. The Arts and Crafts project we have named Take P'HeArt, is free to attend. We will have a few bits and peices for sale, such as the useful Fridge magnet, which provides quick access to this website, and a completly optional £1 donation towards venue hire and the supplies.

So, back to Christmas ( Take P'HeArt is on the 27th )... even now, im looking around, and all i see is art supplies (some were kindly donated from a friend - thanks Julie ) and im thinking about updating the website with the company number. (now done - nothing like the present to do things eh) and listing the directors (yeah, that to is now done) but the biggest update is still yet to come, which will integrate the events calendar in with the whole of the website.

And this is where im going to say oh no... I forgot to send Christmas Cards out so... this is my thought to you... Merry Christmas, have a fantastic New Year, but if you find you are struggling, then please check out this website to see if there are services and venues local to you who are waiting for your call to support you.

Ok, ive been called. Nibbles and dips comming up.

Merry Christmas!

Hello everyone. So, firstly, i want to say sorry for the delay in updates. I had to step away from the website for a little bit. Once again, someone has posted online, that the earth will be taken over in 2028, and somebody who has ocd, paranoia, psychosis, believed this event will actually happen, so sleep has been eratic, eating has been eratic, and I have just spent time, tring to convince them that this event wont happen, like it didnt happen last year, or the time before, or before or ....

I had a fantastic meeting with Alex, he is trying to restore a community to how it use to be prior to covid, and he has developed a booklet with all the events held locally, so I have started to import these events in to the calendar. I think the whole website needs a revamp, to allow for further defining when events are going to be. question is, do i only display events, services, etc, when they are open or display them all with information on when they are open? going to have to think about that..

I have also been asked to co-host a support group, which I have been attending every wednesday, so that is fantastic news. that along with chaterbox which i attend every thursday....

right, need to email my future accountant and start registering the business so, im going to leave it here for today and hopefully normal services will resume from today. have a great day, but if you find you are struggling, then please use the website to find the support you need at the time you need it.

This week has been, for want of a better description, eye opening, and humbling. The thought of the week, after attending the Spear London event, the Emergency Paramedics Mental Health and wellness conference, The Eating disorder Conference, the lack of communication is incredable.

So. We need to talk.

Being apart of the audience, the on looker, knowing that at any time, my mental health may suffer and I will need any one of the services Im singposting to, can be an overwhelming feeling. But, what im seeing is people know these services are availble but are waiting until they are at crisis point before they reach out for help.

We all look around us and see other people in same situations, appearing to be able to cope with simular situations, so why not me, why arent i good enough, why am i finding it difficult to cope? where in reallity, they are looking at you, thinking how strong you are, you can deal with these things and carry on, how do you cope so easily.

So why arent we talking to people? neighbours, friends, families? Is it embarrassment? Are you supposed to be the provider, the strong person in the family? Is what your going through nothing to do with anybody else? You dont want to feel a burden? Think about this for a moment. What one situation are you going through, which is unique, that no one else is going through, that no one else has a story to tell about how they managed this situation, how they got through the day? This week, I have heard nearly every phrase, why we dont talk to people, yet, the time we need support from others is nearly always the time we start to withdraw, stop talking to people, stop going out.

Join a walk and talk group, or a support group. you dont have to talk, you can just listen. I will say, it is likely, your story is simular to somebody elses, and what you have found to help, will help other people. so give it a go. what have you to lose? but, more importantly, you will gain confidence, knowledge, knowing that you are not alone, that there are people out there going through what you are going through, and surviving it.

in one of the conferences, a person asked, In the USA, most people talk to a Therapist, before they are at crisis point, why dont we do that here. Somebody responded, saying that its a misconception made up by the film companies. But, what if, it wasnt. why isnt it reality? my first thought is, cost, but as listed locally in Sutton, there are free counciling / Therapy, so, its down to you. do you want to safeguard your mental health, or hope there is someone there who wont take 'im ok' as a real responce to 'are you ok' at the time, your not.

Its amazing, how events occur, starting with an idea which came from attending an appointment to see the Drs, to going to a Recovery College, to finding out about Sutton Mental Health Foundation, being introduced to Sutton Nightwatch, and now, Sutton Nightwatch introduced me to SpearLondon, where I am now attending one of their events, with a laptop, a Tablet and 100 postcards, talking to other Service providers and Service users, telling them about the website, demonstrating how it works.

Hearing how amazing the website is, how it can be used, even the Job center advisor took some postcards to put up on their board in the office for service users to check out.

Im really looking forwards to making this in to a Community interest company, which will help with people wanting or not wanting to use or display information about the website.

Thanks Sutton Nightwatch for the introduction to SpearLondon.

I have just added an interesting article by Bipolaruk.org, it is a short this is what bipolar is, who could have this condition and information about this condition. Worth a look if you have a moment free. your find a link to this under Learn about mental health @ www.mymentalwellness.uk