Hi, I’m Zoe I’m a mum to 2 children and live with my amazing and supportive partner.
I left my job in a toxic work environment last year due to a decline in my mental health, having issues balancing life, parenting and loosing the closest thing I had to a mum- my nan; causing me to be suicidal. I’ve always had problems with my mental health stemming back to my younger years.
After numerous years of feeling palmed off with drugs, becoming withdrawn from people and isolating myself due to the fear of upsetting others by just being myself, I realised that I needed to get out and find some support. I found Crea8ing Community through Wirral Mind. I self-referred and spoke to the lovely Michelle who made me feel safe and supported. Then I spoke to Eden who talked me through the support being offered and I hadn’t realised was available.
Just before summer I met Kate at home in my garden and I was so nervous about speaking to another adult in person. Due to my anxiety and fear of rejection being told for months by my colleagues that I was too much or over emotional, I hated the idea of going anywhere and speaking to anyone.
My son lived in his bedroom and my daughter at the time was having a really bad time with self-regulation, sensory issues and I did not understand nor know how to cope with her. I was worried being stuck at home over the six weeks was going to drive me over the edge. They gave me tons of information and validated my feelings (something I wasn't used to) and suggested if I was ready, that events and clubs were available over the 6 weeks!
I met all the team during the summer holidays, and I felt finally that I was a part of something. For me it was a first and new experience where everyone around me seemed “normal”. I made friends for life during that summer and felt a part of the family.
I don’t know where I would have been if I didn’t have access to all the fun stuff they put on throughout that summer. I genuinely feel that summer was my saving grace.
I did coaching and it taught me about boundaries and how to love myself and think about life and its issues in a different light rather than focusing on the negative like I always had.
ACEs, oh my gosh! I could literally rave about this programme! The amount of knowledge and understanding I took from it was spectacular. Being trauma informed is something everyone should be … we would literally be all living our best lives! Anyone will tell, if you haven’t already got yourself booked on for an ACEs course, you will never look at life in the same way again. Even when I watch a TV programme now I say “I think they need an ACEs course” . I've literally accessed all courses since coming to Crea8ing Community. It ignited something within me to learn as much as possible and drive towards a career in this sector. I've even signed up as a volunteer because even just being a part of a cause that has literally changed my life has given me the drive to help others in my situation. Be that as a friendly chat or just making them a brew and listening to them while they talk about their day!
My daughter did the Meerkat programme as at the time had severe anxiety around balloons which as you can imagine made children’s parties very difficult. Following this, she is now able to be around balloons and can also now blow up a balloon and let it go too! A massive improvement from not being able to even walk in the room towards them.
My relationship with my children is amazing now! My teenager talks to me more, we spend golden time together every week and he off loads to me. He couldn't before because I was so wound up and emotionally disconnected due to my trauma through childhood! But now things have improved significantly.
My relationship with my daughter has also improved. I accept her behaviour now and not shout because I'm embarrassed or annoyed by her. She's now on the pathway for ADHD and autism and getting all the help she needs in school because I was able to calmly liaise with school confidently, without tripping over my words all the time!
Crea8ing Community has given me tools to be able to understand from all perspectives and just empathise in a way I'd never understood before. I can go out freely now and not be bothered by outside influences and put my boundaries in when I need to and not feel selfish. I'm much more laid back than I've ever been, my support network is absolutely amazing,I've made so many friends here and I feel blessed. Anyway, I’d just like to say a massive thank you to everyone from CC. All the people who have come into my life, the friends I’ve made through here and to my family for putting up with me. Love you all!
