- Brene Brown
Monthly Walk in Maidstone
Every month Change Grow Live Maidstone have a walk for the people that use our service, volunteers, and staff.
Being outdoors is good for the soul, and a great opportunity to walk and chat with likeminded people. We meet on the last Friday of each month from 10 till 12.
It’s a great way to spend a couple of hours, walking, talking, and taking in nature.
We try to keep the walks simple so that people of all abilities can join in.
The following dates are our planned walk days, further details about the walk will be displayed in service and on our Facebook page.
- Friday May 26th
- Friday June 23rd
- Friday 21st July on National Remembrance Day, the day we remember all those that have lost their lives to drugs & alcohol, and we will be having a memorial walk on that day instead of the 28th.
- Friday August 25th
- Friday September 29th
- Friday October 27th
- Friday November 24th
- Friday December 29th
Introduction
This month we celebrate the return of our women’s groups across all 3 services in West Kent. This is a much-loved group that brings women together to support each other in recovery and talk about women’s issues that would not normally be discussed in other support groups.
As part of our women’s month newsletter we have added an article about the menopause, as it can have a significant effect on all women and is often overlooked for women with problematic substance use.
Introducing Liz who facilitates our Women’s groups across West Kent:
Hi everyone.
I qualified as a therapeutic counsellor twenty-five years ago and started work in a residential twelve step rehabilitation centre In Lewisham London. The experience of being part of a person’s journey of recovery from addiction and my eight years working at the rehab taught me so much about a person’s resilience and inner strength.
I have always believed from the teachings of Carl Rogers that “given the right conditions a person can grow to reach their full potential in life”. I therefore strive always to help to create these conditions for every person I work with. Unconditional positive regard, congruence, and empathy for each person’s journey of recovery.
I continued my career moving down to Kent and working for KCA a (Substance misuse service) as a Recovery Worker using my counselling skills and knowledge in addiction and recovery. I have worked for Change Grow Live since 2011.
Women's group
The women’s group was born several years ago when the need was identified for women to have a safe place to discuss issues affecting women in recovery. Topics were introduced to the groups to help the ladies in managing their feelings building their confidence and self-esteem without the use of drugs or alcohol.
The group has since supported many women in Tunbridge Wells and surrounding areas.
The therapeutic value of women sharing and identifying, working through issues such as: relationships, parenting, childcare, self-esteem, sexuality, childhood issues, parental relationships, domestic abuse, women’s health issues, etc. is healing and encourages change.
The women forge a bond and support each other with care, love, and respect. They can identify with any presenting struggles and share in the moments of joy. This unique bond strengthens and encourages recovery and change. There is always a welcome cup of tea and a slice of cake and quite often the ladies engage in art and craft projects whilst sharing in a relaxed and warm atmosphere.
A few weeks ago, our Maidstone women’s group was formed, and the response has been amazing, following referrals from the Maidstone team.
I am happy to announce that the women’s group is due to start up in Gravesend on Monday May 15th @ 10.30 to12.00. and I am looking forward to bringing this support to the ladies of Gravesend Change Grow Live.
- Unknown.
Feedback from Group
Feedback from women who attend the group.
“I enjoy all sessions, but it’s really lovely to do crafts and all of us engage in discussions on many subjects and leave feeling uplifted and positive.
It’s a safe place, strictly confidential, extremely friendly, warm, and non-judgmental. We discuss openly our issues with our addiction, and we look at areas where lifestyle and relationships can hinder or aid our recovery. Each session provides deep insight and discussion to help us individually and as a group, where we don’t feel that we have to hold back. it’s lovely to be in a woman only group”.
I enjoy the camaraderie and sharing of our back stories”.
“It’s been helpful to have regular commitment, something that I look forward to. All the group members are committed to themselves and each other, which is powerful. I feel totally accepted in the group, so I can explore difficult emotions without fear of being ridiculed or judged”.
“It is so nice to speak to other women who are in a similar position. I feel the group is empowering me to reach my goal”.
“Being aware that I’m not alone and that anyone can develop similar problems”.
“It shows I am not on my own, you are not judged if you slip up, you can share your feelings and someone else has felt it as well. You are not going mad”.
The M Word
There’s no getting away from it, 51% of the population WILL go through the menopause at some point in their lives. If it’s not you, it’s your friend, your neighbour, your mum, your daughter, your sister, your wife, the person that sits next to you at work. The average age that women go through the menopause is 51, but it can happen much earlier and the build-up to this, known as the perimenopause, can last for several years!
25% of women will sail through the menopause with little issue, 50% of women will sit in the middle and experience varying degrees of often challenging symptoms, and the top 25% of women will experience symptoms that impact their everyday life. We are taught at school that the menopause is when your periods stop, but that’s almost the easy bit!
Thanks to the likes of “Menopause Warriors” like Davina McCall, specialists like Dr Louise Newson, and increased focus from organisations like NICE and the British Menopause Society, the word menopause is on everyone’s lips right now as they push to raise awareness, challenge stigma, improve knowledge and build available resources. BUT the battle isn’t over and the need to ensure that every woman is armed with the right information and offered all suitable treatment options is more important than ever.
For a woman in recovery, the menopause can present an even bigger challenge. Many women struggle find the help they need and are often faced with healthcare professionals who are not equipped to help menopausal women, let alone menopausal women in recovery. This can lead to an incorrect diagnosis and the menopause being completely overlooked.
So… if you are reading this and feel like you or someone you know is struggling and that it could be down to the menopause or perimenopause, please don’t suffer in silence. You are not alone, and help is out there. Go to your GP and ask to see someone who specialises in woman’s health and if no-one can help, make sure they direct you to someone who can. And remember that knowledge is power - do some research before you go and make sure you know what options should be available to you.
Below is a link to the balance website which is a fantastic resource providing a library of information and advice on things like symptoms, wellbeing, mental health, and HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy). You can download the free balance app which allows you to track your symptoms, access personalised expert content, share stories and download a health report which you can then take to your GP (you can also go straight to the App Store on your phone and search Balance – Menopause Support by Dr Louise Newson).
There are also lots of podcasts and books available that will give you a detailed insight into the menopause, specialist advice on how to manage it and lots of real women stories.
Above all, keep talking. The menopause affects everyone, and it shouldn’t be ignored or a taboo subject that is swept under the carpet. Together we can change the narrative.
Good luck!
Websites:
https://www.balance-menopause.com
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause
Podcasts:
The Dr Louise Newson Podcast on Apple Podcasts -
Books:
Menopausing - by Davina McCall and Dr Naomi Potter
The Definitive Guide to the Perimenopause and Menopause – by Dr Louise Newson
Closing message
In our next edition we will be looking at men’s health and wellbeing, so if you have a story that you would like to share then please get in touch we would love to hear from you.
Please get in touch either by phone or email:
M: 07741163146