Befriending … has anyone had this?

[aweebitwabbit]

I’ve had mental health difficulties (CPTSD, panic disorder and agoraphobia) since I was a teenager, so years . Due to life circumstances my mental health has been at rock bottom over the last year - feeling properly very unwell with it at times - and things I used to manage like going for a walk to the shop has become nigh on impossible . At times even getting from bed to kitchen is hard . Have had crisis team involvement . GP said it has crossed line from ‘difficulties’ to outright illness .

Has taken a lot of backwards and forwards to GP etc but I’ve been offered a huge ‘package of support’ and whilst I’m enormously grateful and definitely taking up on the offer I’m just a bit nervous .

I’m getting counselling in the short term and on waiting list for complex trauma team for long term specialist help, will also keep access to duty CPN overnight .

I’ve also now been offered face to face befriending once a fortnight - a support worker and I will go out to eg the cinema, a cafe or museum or something . I spoke to the worker on the phone this week and she sounds lovely .

I have been in similar situations before - my mother had a multitude of support workers in my childhood (domestic abuse) and I remember them taking her out for a coffee etc . I also had similar support in my teens once or twice, remember social work taking me out for 1-1 support 2/3 times . I remember as a teenager feeling very awkward (as much as they were always more than lovely) and thinking people would know this person was being paid to be nice to me !!

I know as an adult that’s not the case but I’m a bit nervous . Have been told the object is to get me out of the house and using eg public transport more independently in small steps and I’m scared of that !

Just wondering if anyone’s done this before (from either side) - does it help?

I think that sounds fantastic, slowly slowly getting you used to being out again, knowing you have a support/ friend to prop you up if you need it

i wish you all the best, it’s sounds hard

Good luck with this. It sounds like you have some very good support. I've no experience of this myself but I hope it goes really well for you.

I used to be a befriender years ago, just go at your own pace and don't feel obligated but it's a safe person that you can go out with for an hour or so that's just for you. Good luck I hope it helps you even for a little while.

I have the same support - therapist, care co ordinator and a support worker. It literally has saved my life.

Don’t forget that the people who do these jobs are choosing to. Yes they’re being paid but for a lot it will be something they enjoy too. Give it a try!

No experience of this, but I wanted to wish you all the best. I hope that in a year you can look back at how far you’ve come and see how strong and brave you were to take the steps you’re taking now.

That sounds lovely. I’m planning to do ‘befriending’ from the other side and just starting to organise it.

People aren’t being paid to be nice to you. They’ve volunteers, looking to add meaning and a sense of connection to their lives (and to be less lonely). The volunteers may add something to your life, but remember you add something to theirs, too, and you did even as a teenager. Everybody is searching for something, whether they’re befriending or befriended…

Thank you so much, I’m hoping it’ll go well ! She sounded very kind on the phone .

@OldTinHat that sounds about the level of support I’m getting . GP had said she was beginning to get concerned things were heading for crisis so said it’s prevention of that happening . At the moment I can just about function, but find doing simple stuff like doing the laundry, taking the rubbish out or preparing a meal almost impossible some days .

I’m hugely hoping this will make a big difference, even if I can just sit comfortably in Costa that will make a difference I think/hope.