Isolation at Christmas - Page 2 — Scope | Disability forum
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Isolation at Christmas

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Comments

  • emmarenshaw
    emmarenshaw Community member Posts: 710 Pioneering
    Great post @Brightsidebecs . Welcome to the community.
  • Brightsidebecs
    Brightsidebecs Community member, Scope Volunteer Posts: 88 Pioneering
    @emmarenshaw thanks for taking the time to read my post!
    Rebecca 
  • thespiceman
    thespiceman Community member Posts: 6,388 Disability Gamechanger
    edited December 2019
    Hello @Brightsidebecs   Thank you for kind words, thank you for your post and interest in becoming a Community Champion.

    The role of a Community Champion involves the following on the forum.

    Being part of a team answering posts any questions.  From new members or members of our community.

    Going around the forum, website supporting members, being compassionate, have empathy.

    You do not need any particular skills to bring to the forum .

    All you need is to be honest, friendly, kind.  Open approach is I think a good thing to have.

    You will get training from the team need to be aware of those members who are vulnerable need some support. Safe guarding.

    One of the aspects of the forum we have to police it make sure every one abides by the rues. Keep it friendly any problems need to be reported or flag it up.

    Some of the team tag me in or ask my advice. This can happen you do not know everything.  I have done this myself especially complex benefit enquiries.

    Please do not worry about that, is just some members have more knowledge than others.

    Some members have conditions, illness never heard of wish for help, advice you do get a list of reference material to use.

    Organisations, associations, societies or use the web and give them the information.

    Please do not worry the team SCOPE are about ask them as I do .

    You could always tag myself happy to be supportive .

    Send team member PM or email. One other I do is contact the team any one having serious mental health issues can we do a lot more.

    Happy to help.

    If interested community@scope.org.uk.

    One final point like myself use their disability, illness and experience on the forum.

    Any talents, qualities and abilities often helps. Anything you do for hobbies, interests. places you may have joined clubs, any insights helpful useful information.

    Using any knowledge you may have, I think can be beneficial but not necessary.

    You do need to spend a few hours a week that is all.

    Please I hope that helps you.

    One other a lot of  the Community Champions are friends and supportive of each other.

    Please contact the team be a pleasure to work with you.

    Please take care.

    @thespiceman




    Community Champion
    SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
    Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
    Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
    Recipes
  • Chloe_Scope
    Chloe_Scope Posts: 10,586 Disability Gamechanger
    You are more than welcome @Brightsidebecs! It was great to work with you on this. :)
    Scope

  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,638 Scope online community team
    edited December 2019
    Great post @Brightsidebecs
    Great to have you on the community too!
    Scope
    Specialist Information Officer and Cerebral Palsy Programme Lead

    'Concerned about another member's safety or wellbeing? Flag your concerns with us.

    Want to tell us about your experience in the community? Talk to our chatbot and let us know. 
  • Brightsidebecs
    Brightsidebecs Community member, Scope Volunteer Posts: 88 Pioneering
    Thank you very much, @Richard_Scope :) 
    Rebecca 
  • lisa1986
    lisa1986 Community member Posts: 21 Connected
    I would love to volunteer  in the new year maybe at one of the scope shops I live in camberwell and there is some scope charity shops bit I was thinking of maybe getting involved in other things any other opportunities with scope to volunteer I like being around people
  • thespiceman
    thespiceman Community member Posts: 6,388 Disability Gamechanger
    Hello @lisa1986   Good to hear this.  Thank you.

    You can do the following contact

    community@scope.org.uk.

    Send an email or look at Helpline

    0800 800 3333

    Please if I can suggest another opportunity is look at the SCOPE website when you signed up a lot of links.

    Please can I advise another one to volunteer. Is what I do every day.

    Become a community champion on  the forum, if interested tell you a little bit.

    Community Champions are members of the forum who help, support  and advise members.

    I have with you tonight.

    No particular skills needed.

    Honest, kind,. approach, you will get training.

    Any skills, talents abilities or using your own knowledge can be useful.

    Health issues or anything you might wish to use or contribute.

    Main aspect is doing the answering of posts being polite . Offer compassion, empathy sensitivity .

    A few hours a week or much time as you want.

    You get lots of support, advice and information form SCOPE team.

    If you did enrol as a Community Champion. Always here to support you.

    Made new friends, lots of confidence, self esteem, help others like me and you.

    Please contact

    community@scope.org.uk.

    Please I hope that helps.

    @thespiceman
    Community Champion
    SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
    Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
    Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
    Recipes
  • Rooprs
    Rooprs Community member Posts: 12 Connected
    Great post @Brightsidebecs, and thanks for highlighting such a prevalent problem. 

    I wish I had some insight to help, but actually I'm struggling this year too. I have my own disabilities which are not half as extreme as yours, but I suppose wheelchair-bound is the same all over the UK, and seasonal loneliness hurts no matter who you are. 

    I hope your fears resolve and you have some fun, and whatever you don't manage to get or do, well 99% of it doesn't really matter anyway! 
  • thespiceman
    thespiceman Community member Posts: 6,388 Disability Gamechanger
    Hello @Rooprs    Please can I ask how can I help.  Mentioned struggling.

    As one  of the community champions.

    Can offer any help, support, advice and friendship.

    Please can I add your not alone. If I can be supportive please ask get in touch.

    See how I can help offer what I can.

    One of the aspects of the role involves finding organisations to support you. 

    Including organisations relevant to your illness, conditions or dsiabilites.

    Information and support groups local to you. If not to hand will search the web.

    If you tell me where you live can be beneficial and useful for your wellbeing.

    Please contact me.  Anytime just tag my username.

    Please take care.

    @thespiceman






    Community Champion
    SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
    Mental Health advice, guidance and information to all members
    Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
    Recipes
  • Chloe_Scope
    Chloe_Scope Posts: 10,586 Disability Gamechanger
    edited December 2019
    Hi @Lisa1985, I hope @thespiceman has been able to give you enough information about volunteering. Here is all of the volunteer information which can be found on the Scope website. If you have any other questions then please do let us know. :)

    Contact us

    Scope

  • lisa1986
    lisa1986 Community member Posts: 21 Connected
    Hi Chloe  Scope thankyou I'll check it out 
  • Topkitten
    Topkitten Community member Posts: 1,285 Pioneering
    It's good to see that some still enjoy Xmas, no matter what people think of it's change in function now.

    I have had 2 very bad Xmas's but this year has been good for a number of reasons. Firstly I had a proper Xmas day with my son including a proper Xmas dinner (my first in a decade) which he helped with. As neither of my daughters like to visit me as I am a heavy smoker and because I was housebound for 18 months until recently, this is the first year in a while I have seen them properly.... especially my new granddaughter of 10 months for the first time (I had thought I might never see her). However, I saw my eldest daughter and her 2 children on the Sunday before Xmas and again on the Monday before year and I also got to see my younger daughter and her little girl on the Monday as well. Despite my eldest' fears it seems the younger daughter has taken to being a mum very well which, considering her past of giving up on things when it gets tough, is a little surprising. I never had a doubt though, I brought all my kids up to be practical and honest (though I can't say the honesty took quite as well, lol!)

    The big difference though was accidentally finding a solution to the major pain issue that was making me housebound and while my GP is resisting putting me back on the extra medication I need to be a little mobile I have managed to change my Mobility car and get out a little using old medication left over from when I had to stop using it. It turns out that an elasticated bandage wrapped tightly around the foot and ankle has done major wonders, even though the GP is at a loos to explain why. As usual though I have had to find my own solutions and just wish I had thought of this before I became housebound. I will have to be careful though as I cannot change the bandage every day so I do risk causing blood flow issues to the foot and lower leg.

    So all-in-all it has been a good Xmas and, talking to the GP on the phone, even my doctor can hear the positive aspect in my voice. However, he is so wrapped up in trying to cure a chest infection that is resisting antibiotics, that he isn't giving much thought to what is causing the positivism and i only have a limited supply of the meds needed to get out and about, so can't make any plans as yet.

    Anyway, I waffle on too much as usual. Good for you in doing good things over Xmas, often it only takes a good story to inspire a few more into making the effort.

    Personally I don't care whether people think Xmas is too much about spending and getting. To me it's about family getting together, no matter the reason.

    TK
    "I'm on the wrong side of heaven and the righteous side of hell" - from Wrong side of heaven by Five Finger Death Punch.
  • pollyanna1052
    pollyanna1052 Community member Posts: 2,032 Disability Gamechanger
    Topkitten.....I`m so pleased your Christmas turned out well.
    You  sound much more positive and the problem with your GP/meds will hopefully, right itself in time.

    happy new year lad!

    xxxx
  • gaz1960
    gaz1960 Community member Posts: 292 Pioneering
    Totally isolated at new year,but best wishes to all on the site for the new year. 
  • Chloe_Scope
    Chloe_Scope Posts: 10,586 Disability Gamechanger
    Sorry to hear that @gaz1960, best wishes for the new year too. I hope today has been okay. :)
    Scope

  • gaz1960
    gaz1960 Community member Posts: 292 Pioneering
    Thanks Chloe. 

    Today was just another Groundhog Day. Same old,same old. Get up at 4am, go to work,work all day by myself,get home at 4pm. Dinner for one!
    Go to bed. 

    Start all over again! 
  • Chloe_Scope
    Chloe_Scope Posts: 10,586 Disability Gamechanger
    That's a very early start @gaz1960! I hope you can find some chance to relax and break the Groundhog Day cycle.
    Scope

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