Taking some time to reflect on my journey with WRAP in the last 12 months. Firstly I will say that I consider myself to be extremely lucky that delivering WRAP is the bulk of my 'work'. It never feels like work because I love every moment of it. Each and every WRAP that I have facilitated has been completely unique - the people I meet are unique and they inspire me so much. They do say choose a job that you love and you will never work another day in your life - I think this is true :)
My journey with trying to embed WRAP in my local community has not been easy. But slowly with perseverance and determination its starting to happen. Here is a recap of the last 12 months activities:
7 WRAP Level 1 workshops facilitated
3 WRAP sessions facilitated as part of clinical trial via Stirling University
81 participants completed workshops
1 online WRAP Facilitation (numerous participants)
1 Twitter intro to WRAP
WRAP Blog
3 WRAP Awareness/Information Sessions Facilitated
2 Scottish Recovery Network WRAP Facilitator Network days
1 brand spanking new charity established to further embed WRAP in local community
Accepting Alliance Scotland Best Self Management Resource 2013 Award at Scottish Parliament on behalf of SRN Quality Assured WRAP Facilitators
And I'm very excited to say that in the next 12 months the following is confirmed:
4 WRAP workshops facilitated for local organisation Now Yer Talking - for anyone in the local community to access for free (for more info visit NYT website and give them a call http://www.nowyourtalking.org.uk/about.html )
12 monthly WRAP drop in sessions
2 Day WRAP workshop for University of West of Scotland 3rd year nursing students
WRAP for Carers in Lanarkshire (visit http://www.prtlcc.org.uk/ for more info or follow on twitter @Lan_carers )
Embedding WRAP in local communities in Lanarkshire via The Hope Café Lanarkshire SCIO44352
and in the pipeline................
WRAP delivery for Glasgow Caledonian University
WRAP delivery at Abertay University
Each and every WRAP that I deliver I give 100% and it's reflected clearly in the fantastic feedback. I will try and post the feedback reports. Some feedback:
“WRAP is a very powerful and useful tool for self management. I can only fully endorse that people are the experts in their own recovery. The Principles are a solid framework for effective use in recovery and maintaining wellness. The anticipatory and reflective part on crisis within this model is unique and important; reflecting the value of the individual. This tool has great potential on a professional and personal level.”
"I wish I had this years ago when my mental health was
bad and I couldn’t find a way to break the circle"
"Wrap will be a positive influence in my life - it has given me new idea's and increased self awareness"
I'm excited and so very hopeful about the future with WRAP - remember keep following #MacWRAP on twitter for WRAP info here in Scotland
Wednesday, 13 November 2013
Wednesday, 30 October 2013
#Winewednesday - Depression & Personal Responsibility
Today is 'wine Wednesday'. This is the one 'school night' that I allow myself to sit down, relax and have a glass or two of wine. When I completed my first ever WRAP I had wine right up there in my wellness toolbox - I enjoy it and it makes me feel good. However - as I started to learn more about myself through living WRAP it became very obvious very quickly that wine wasn't always a wellness tool. Infact - more often than not it was an early warning sign - and could even be a trigger.
For example - how many of us have come in from a crap day at work and thought - I'll have a wee drink to relax?? Lots of us. Then before you know it you are having a 'wee drink' almost every night to 'relax'. So - I now recognise that if I am feeling that I NEED to have a drink to relax - then its not a wellness tool - its an early warning sign that I need to be dealing with whatever is causing me to feel low, anxious or worried.
It can also in itself be a trigger - especially in my experience if I am already feeling low. Feeling the way I have been lately - it is very tempting to reach for a glass - as it gives me that lovely cosy glow where the world doesn't seem to grey....................for about half an hour. So my way of taking personal responsibility has been to create 'wine Wednesday' - the day where I allow wine to act as a wellness tool - and I do not allow myself to do any work of any sort past 7.30pm.
I am glad to say that I feel as if things are on the up. I'm still not 100% - but i'm 73% which is better than 70 % for the last few weeks.
Onwards and upwards thanks to my pal WRAP :)
For example - how many of us have come in from a crap day at work and thought - I'll have a wee drink to relax?? Lots of us. Then before you know it you are having a 'wee drink' almost every night to 'relax'. So - I now recognise that if I am feeling that I NEED to have a drink to relax - then its not a wellness tool - its an early warning sign that I need to be dealing with whatever is causing me to feel low, anxious or worried.
It can also in itself be a trigger - especially in my experience if I am already feeling low. Feeling the way I have been lately - it is very tempting to reach for a glass - as it gives me that lovely cosy glow where the world doesn't seem to grey....................for about half an hour. So my way of taking personal responsibility has been to create 'wine Wednesday' - the day where I allow wine to act as a wellness tool - and I do not allow myself to do any work of any sort past 7.30pm.
I am glad to say that I feel as if things are on the up. I'm still not 100% - but i'm 73% which is better than 70 % for the last few weeks.
Onwards and upwards thanks to my pal WRAP :)
Monday, 21 October 2013
Hello Depression..............it's been a while
So.....a few months of teetering around early warning signs has progressed to the next level. As WRAP is such a personal and unique tool - my signs may seem strange to others - but are relevant to me. I'm used to fluctuations in my anxiety levels - I know that this is a very very common symptom of Early Menopause. I'm even used to dealing with fluctuations in mood - that are not necessarily reactive to the world around me. I am - and always have been incredibly hormonally challenged. There is lots of new studies out there that are showing that women like myself who experienced PMDD (Pre Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder) appear to have different brain wiring, that's the best way I can explain it. And it is something that I have always known about myself as I respond very unusually to drugs that have absolutely no affect on others. I'm convinced my brain wiring is a bit higgilty piggilty!!
Anyway I have many early warning signs - but what my WRAP helped me to learn was that it's how long these go on for - and how intense they become that is the key to me managing any further decline. So this low mood and higher than normal anxiety has been hanging about for a little bit too long for my liking, probably around 3/4 months now. And I knew it was time to take action when I found myself wanting to stay in bed all day more than 2 or 3 times in the last few weeks. Looking back I think it was triggered by a couple of things happening at once; losing my job suddenly and unexpectedly, finding out that people I thought were my friends and cared about me obviously didn't, and a few family things that I won't go into. So I'm not 100% surprised that I'm where I am today but I would be lying if I said I wasn't a tad disappointed. I work very very hard to stay well, I am very active in my own care and am very lucky to have a fantastic GP and circle of support. So why have I succumbed to this low mood? But then I get my sensible hat back on and remind myself to practice what I preach. Depression can happen to ANYONE at ANY TIME. Chuck Seasonal Affective Disorder into the mix and BOOM!!
The good thing is that this time I'm entering this battle with hope - as I know that things will get better. I have already been very pro-active in taking personal responsibility for the things that I can - using my lightbox, removing all unnecessary stresses/anxieties, implementing lots of wellness tools. And I have called upon my supporters to help me in the ways that they can. I have made an appointment to talk with my GP about a plan of action. I am aware that this may involve taking a course of medication - so I have done my research and looked into what my options are (Education).
I'm actually really interested to see where WRAP takes me with this episode - as this is the first time that I have reached this stage since I fully embraced WRAP into my life. And WRAP definitely hasn't failed me - infact I'm pretty sure that it has saved me. Heres to recovery :)
Anyway I have many early warning signs - but what my WRAP helped me to learn was that it's how long these go on for - and how intense they become that is the key to me managing any further decline. So this low mood and higher than normal anxiety has been hanging about for a little bit too long for my liking, probably around 3/4 months now. And I knew it was time to take action when I found myself wanting to stay in bed all day more than 2 or 3 times in the last few weeks. Looking back I think it was triggered by a couple of things happening at once; losing my job suddenly and unexpectedly, finding out that people I thought were my friends and cared about me obviously didn't, and a few family things that I won't go into. So I'm not 100% surprised that I'm where I am today but I would be lying if I said I wasn't a tad disappointed. I work very very hard to stay well, I am very active in my own care and am very lucky to have a fantastic GP and circle of support. So why have I succumbed to this low mood? But then I get my sensible hat back on and remind myself to practice what I preach. Depression can happen to ANYONE at ANY TIME. Chuck Seasonal Affective Disorder into the mix and BOOM!!
The good thing is that this time I'm entering this battle with hope - as I know that things will get better. I have already been very pro-active in taking personal responsibility for the things that I can - using my lightbox, removing all unnecessary stresses/anxieties, implementing lots of wellness tools. And I have called upon my supporters to help me in the ways that they can. I have made an appointment to talk with my GP about a plan of action. I am aware that this may involve taking a course of medication - so I have done my research and looked into what my options are (Education).
I'm actually really interested to see where WRAP takes me with this episode - as this is the first time that I have reached this stage since I fully embraced WRAP into my life. And WRAP definitely hasn't failed me - infact I'm pretty sure that it has saved me. Heres to recovery :)
Tuesday, 10 September 2013
The #MacWRAP Rap
I'm in a happy celebrating mood...so time to share a world first!! A WRAP RAP!!
This was created by participants in one of our recent WRAP groups, and quite frankly we think it rocks!!!
This was created by participants in one of our recent WRAP groups, and quite frankly we think it rocks!!!
THE WRAP RAP
CHORUS
AM NOT GOING DOWN
AM NOT GOING DOWN
A FEEL LIKE A KING AM WEARING MA CROWN
VERSE 1
AM WALKING THE WALK
AM TALKING THE TALK
BEEN TO WRAP SCHOOL
WRAP’S
MA RULE
SAT IN THE CLASSES
LISTENED TO THE LASSIES
SAID A LOT OF THINGS
MADE OUR BELLS RING
EVERY DAY
AM GONNA SING
CHORUS
AM NOT GOING DOWN
AM NOT GOING DOWN
A FEEL LIKE A KING
AM WEARING A CROWN
AM NOT GOIN DOWN
AM NOT GOIN DOWN
A FEEL LIKE A KING
AM WEARING A CROWN
VERSE 2
STICKIN TO THE RULES
USING THE TOOLS
BEEN TO WRAP SCHOOL
GONNA KEEP WELL
GONNA STAY WELL
GONNA TELL MA PAST TO GO TO HELL
REPEAT CHORUS TWICE AND IT’S A RAP;
VIP WRAP Lesson - NEVER give up!!!
Today when I opened up my emails I was delighted to see that WRAP has been shortlisted for Best Self Management Resource of The Year at The Alliance Scotland Self Management Awards. http://www.alliance-scotland.org.uk/news-and-events/events/month/10/year/2013/cat/0/awareness/0/
I nominated SRN Quality Accredited WRAP for this category as I know that WRAP has the capacity to change lives.
Since I welcomed WRAP into my life, I have learnt to focus on my wellness. I am so passionate about it that I want to ensure that anyone who wants to access WRAP can - very difficult in this financial climate, where organisations do not have funding etc.
I have found embedding WRAP particularly difficult in Lanarkshire where I live, I have faced some quite strong resistance to spreading WRAP in Lanarkshire, some of the reasons have been financial but many have not. But when you believe in something as strongly as I believe in WRAP - you don't just walk away from it. My Nana used to say "where there is a will there is a way", and I'm working on that way as we speak!!
My journey with embedding WRAP has in many ways reflected my own recovery journey. There have been times in the last year that I have felt like throwing in the towel. I have used the phrase 'banging my head against a brick wall' many times. But each time I facilitate another WRAP I am reminded of the reasons that I don't give in, and its quite simply this: WRAP CHANGES LIVES. I have experienced it myself and I have seen it over and over again with the people that I am privileged to work with.
So this blog is to say thank you to everyone who is out there spreading the word about WRAP, and a special shout out to Scottish Recovery Network for continuing to support WRAP facilitators and provide the Quality Assurance Scheme. Thanks for helping me find walls with holes in them :)
I nominated SRN Quality Accredited WRAP for this category as I know that WRAP has the capacity to change lives.
Since I welcomed WRAP into my life, I have learnt to focus on my wellness. I am so passionate about it that I want to ensure that anyone who wants to access WRAP can - very difficult in this financial climate, where organisations do not have funding etc.
I have found embedding WRAP particularly difficult in Lanarkshire where I live, I have faced some quite strong resistance to spreading WRAP in Lanarkshire, some of the reasons have been financial but many have not. But when you believe in something as strongly as I believe in WRAP - you don't just walk away from it. My Nana used to say "where there is a will there is a way", and I'm working on that way as we speak!!
My journey with embedding WRAP has in many ways reflected my own recovery journey. There have been times in the last year that I have felt like throwing in the towel. I have used the phrase 'banging my head against a brick wall' many times. But each time I facilitate another WRAP I am reminded of the reasons that I don't give in, and its quite simply this: WRAP CHANGES LIVES. I have experienced it myself and I have seen it over and over again with the people that I am privileged to work with.
So this blog is to say thank you to everyone who is out there spreading the word about WRAP, and a special shout out to Scottish Recovery Network for continuing to support WRAP facilitators and provide the Quality Assurance Scheme. Thanks for helping me find walls with holes in them :)
Monday, 2 September 2013
WRAP Lesson number 4: There is always HOPE
Sometimes it's just a tiny glimmer - maybe even just a flicker of light, but WRAP has helped me to see that it's always there. Hopeless to me is the opposite of hope - and hopeless is how I have felt in my darkest moments. In the past I wouldn't reach out and ask for help, but now I do. Sometimes we do need others to see hope for us when we can't see it for ourselves. For the last year I worked as a peer support worker and it became so very clear how important hope is in recovery. And more importantly how special the ability is to be able to hold someone's hope for them. Just hold that tiny little glimmer so gently as you would a candle that was about to go out. Guard it - create a windbreak for it with all your positive thoughts and feelings and allow it to pick up momentum. And then eventually it will become a bigger flame and may not even need you to guard it. Remind the people that you support that thee is always hope.
Hang
On
Pain
Ends
Thursday, 22 August 2013
What WRAP has taught me - lesson number 3 'I can't control other peoples actions - only my reactions to them'
Human beings are the most wonderful creation, and there is nothing I love more than spending time with other people. I'm in the line of work that I'm in because I am a people person. However - there are times in life where sadly others have the ability to really hurt - even damage us, by their words and actions.
When I deliver WRAP I spend a fair bit of time talking about self esteem - and how low self esteem can affect us, particularly in relation to being able to advocate for ourselves. I'm going to use Robbie Williams as an example here. Take a look at the words to his song Hello Sir (apologies for the sweary words!) :
Hello Sir"
Hello Sir, remember me?
I'm the man you thought I'd never be
The boy who you reduced to tears
Lad called 'thingy' for six whole years.
Yes, that's right, my name's Bob
The one who landed the pop star's job
The one you told, look don't touch
The kid who wouldn't amount to much.
Well, I'm here and you're still there
With a fake sports car and receding hair.
Dodgy Farah trousers that you think are smart
Married to the woman who teaches art.
Married to the life, married to the school
I wanna sing and dance Sir; now who's the fool?
Sing and dance, you thought I was barmy
Settle down thingy, join the army.
And who are you to tell me this?
The dream I want I'll have to miss
Sir is God, he's been given the right
To structure lives overnight.
Now I know life's true path
Tanks and guns that'll be a laugh
No, not me I'm a mega civilian
I won't lead my life riding pillion.
But thanks for the advice and I'm sure it'll do
For the negative dickheads just like you.
As for now I've a different weapon
Stage and screen is about to beckon.
And here I sit in first class
Bollocks Sir, kiss my arse...
This teacher obviously did not fill Robbie Williams head with positive thoughts and feelings, and perhaps that is reflected in some of the issues that Robbie has had over time? But..............Robbie has gone out there and he pursued his dream, he didn't let this negativity stop him.
There have been times in my life where people have hurt me, doubted me, upset me, made me angry. I have not always responded in the best way, and on many occasions I have given away hours and hours - perhaps even days/weeks of my precious brain space worrying, being angry or even trying to 'get even'.
This was one of the light bulb moments for me when I participated in WRAP (took me a bit longer to put it into practice though - hey I'm only human!)
I CANNOT control others peoples actions - but what I can control is my reaction to them.
I can choose to argue back or I can choose to walk away.
I can choose to absorb the negativity - or I can choose to let it brush off me.
I can choose to hang around people who make me feel negative - or I can choose to move on.
I have choices, and it's up to me what choice I take.
And in the words of Robbie Williams and also my best friend and very wise co-facilitator - I have decided that some people can kiss my asse :)
I care deeply about the people who matter to me, and the other people who wish to bring me down - they no longer matter :)
When I deliver WRAP I spend a fair bit of time talking about self esteem - and how low self esteem can affect us, particularly in relation to being able to advocate for ourselves. I'm going to use Robbie Williams as an example here. Take a look at the words to his song Hello Sir (apologies for the sweary words!) :
Hello Sir"
Hello Sir, remember me?
I'm the man you thought I'd never be
The boy who you reduced to tears
Lad called 'thingy' for six whole years.
Yes, that's right, my name's Bob
The one who landed the pop star's job
The one you told, look don't touch
The kid who wouldn't amount to much.
Well, I'm here and you're still there
With a fake sports car and receding hair.
Dodgy Farah trousers that you think are smart
Married to the woman who teaches art.
Married to the life, married to the school
I wanna sing and dance Sir; now who's the fool?
Sing and dance, you thought I was barmy
Settle down thingy, join the army.
And who are you to tell me this?
The dream I want I'll have to miss
Sir is God, he's been given the right
To structure lives overnight.
Now I know life's true path
Tanks and guns that'll be a laugh
No, not me I'm a mega civilian
I won't lead my life riding pillion.
But thanks for the advice and I'm sure it'll do
For the negative dickheads just like you.
As for now I've a different weapon
Stage and screen is about to beckon.
And here I sit in first class
Bollocks Sir, kiss my arse...
This teacher obviously did not fill Robbie Williams head with positive thoughts and feelings, and perhaps that is reflected in some of the issues that Robbie has had over time? But..............Robbie has gone out there and he pursued his dream, he didn't let this negativity stop him.
There have been times in my life where people have hurt me, doubted me, upset me, made me angry. I have not always responded in the best way, and on many occasions I have given away hours and hours - perhaps even days/weeks of my precious brain space worrying, being angry or even trying to 'get even'.
This was one of the light bulb moments for me when I participated in WRAP (took me a bit longer to put it into practice though - hey I'm only human!)
I CANNOT control others peoples actions - but what I can control is my reaction to them.
I can choose to argue back or I can choose to walk away.
I can choose to absorb the negativity - or I can choose to let it brush off me.
I can choose to hang around people who make me feel negative - or I can choose to move on.
I have choices, and it's up to me what choice I take.
And in the words of Robbie Williams and also my best friend and very wise co-facilitator - I have decided that some people can kiss my asse :)
I care deeply about the people who matter to me, and the other people who wish to bring me down - they no longer matter :)
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