Our Impact So Far.

Wendy: Redefining living with breast cancer

Redefining living with breast cancer

Wendy shared how she is learning to live as well as she can with a diagnosis of breast cancer and why she believes the process is not about overcoming a challenge as much as redefining it.

Craig: The challenges of separating during Covic

The challenges of separating during Covic

Craig shared his story about becoming a father and the challenges of navigating a separation through Covid, how he found resilience and learnt to best protect his and his daughter’s wellbeing.

Zac: Exit plan

Exit plan

Zak shared her story of how she left a cult and found social and spiritual freedom.

Andy: Recovering hope

Recovering hope

Andy’s story was of how his community and faith helps him on his journey caring for his wife.

Milo: Accepting his sexuality

Accepting his sexuality

Milo shared his story of coming to accept and celebrate his sexuality.

Saire: Coping after her husband died

Coping after her husband died

Saire shared her love story and explained how her community helped her to find her smile again after her husband, Bob, died.

Kirk: Working through past trauma using art, poetry and friends

Working through past trauma using art, poetry and friends

Kirk told us his story of how art, poetry and the brotherhood of his friends at Mangang helps him to work through past trauma.

Susan: The challenges of caring for someone with a mental disorder

The challenges of caring for someone with a mental disorder

Sandra shared her story of accepting the challenges that come from caring for someone who is living with a mental disorder. It was a story about coming to terms with new roles and responsibilities that were not expected and accepting a different way of life to what has gone before.

Jacqui: Caring for her non-verbal and autistic son

Caring for her non-verbal and autistic son

Jacqui shared her story of caring for her 19 year old son, Daniel, who is non-verbal and has autism. She described the journey so far and reflected on her fears for the future.

A hybrid event with The Mansbridge Melody Makers where they shared stories of singing and belonging to their group.:

Gabriel: Confronting his upbringing

Confronting his upbringing

Gabriel talked about his dance film ‘Bitter Pineapples’ that enabled him to confront his upbringing in Mexico and the impact it had on his life and how dance has helped him to navigate those experiences.

Kate: The joys and challenges of parenting

The joys and challenges of parenting

Anna read Kate’s letter to her younger self about the joys and challenges of parenting.

Steph: Growing in confidence through volunteering

Growing in confidence through volunteering

Steph spoke about her volunteering with Southern Health and how this has given her an opportunity to work on her confidence and be a voice for others that she didn’t know she once needed too.

Cara: Finding resilience whilst supporting her sister through cancer

Finding resilience whilst supporting her sister through cancer

Cara spoke about how she found resilience whilst supporting her sister on her cancer journey through covid times and beyond.

Emily: Reading a letter to her younger self about grief for her father

Reading a letter to her younger self about grief for her father

Emily shared her story of grief for her father and how she can now look back on memories and smile.

Sophie: Reading a letter to her younger self on her relationship with exercise

Reading a letter to her younger self on her relationship with exercise

Sophie shared how her relationship with exercise changed when she learned to be gentle with herself.

Jude: Reading a letter to her younger self on finding wisdom and self-acceptance through the experienc eof loss

Reading a letter to her younger self on finding wisdom and self-acceptance through the experienc eof loss

Jude shared how she found wisdom and self-acceptance through the experience of loss.

Sam: Coping with post natal depression

Coping with post natal depression

Sam talked about managing to graduate from University while raising 4 children as a single mother and suffering with post-natal depression.

Marcelle: Being a single mother

Being a single mother

Marcelle talked about moving to the UK and breaking the cycle of shame around being a single mother.

Tiny: Recovering from a coma

Recovering from a coma

Tiny spoke about the aftermath of her coma and the journey of recovery with her friends from World Stages Now.

Katie: Support of friendship and coping with low self-esteen

Support of friendship and coping with low self-esteen

Katie celebrated the support her friends at the group have given her with her low self-esteem.

Helen: Managing her health at university

Managing her health at university

Helen spoke about how, with the help of her amazing community, she managed her health at University during the pandemic.

Lenka: The challenges of moving to a new country

The challenges of moving to a new country

Lenka’s story, Restart, was about the challenges of moving and settling in a new country.

Eerleesha: Overcoming a fear of public speaking

Overcoming a fear of public speaking

Earleesha talked about the difficulties she encountered moving from Jamaica to the UK when she was 11 and how she subsequently developed a crippling fear of public speaking. She found her voice through hard work and reflection and is now a role model to her daughter and siblings.

Lucy: Finding her voice and power through creativity and art

Finding her voice and power through creativity and art

Lucy talked about how she overcame domestic abuse and found her voice and power through creativity and art.

Cindy: The support of a vocal group

The support of a vocal group

Cindy talked about how a vocal group saved her life, and how she found and celebrates her freedom in her life now.

Chris: Turning what he believed was failure into success

Turning what he believed was failure into success

Chris shared his journey from how he believed he was a failure, to how a broken settee was the start of a charitable company which led to a visit to Buckingham Palace.

Marianna: Surviving drug and alcohol addiction

Surviving drug and alcohol addiction

Marianna talked about how a difficult childhood, including violence and family illness, led to a severe drug and alcohol addiction. She found the strength to reach out for help and ultimately become clean and live authentically and lovingly with her little boy, Lenny.

Tim: Living with Parkinson's

Living with Parkinson's

Tim talked about living with Parkinsons and his work in the community.

Emily: Celebrating Touch's 100 Events with 100 Letters

Celebrating Touch's 100 Events with 100 Letters

Emily told us about Touch Network’s ‘100 Letters’ plan and shared her own letter of resilience.

Nina: Her generous and supportive community

Her generous and supportive community

Nina spoke about rebuilding her life when her house exploded in the middle of the Covid pandemic, and how she saw the power of generosity and strength of community rise from the rubble.

Stef: Growing up as trans

Growing up as trans

Stef shared their story of growing up as trans, and the happiness and hope it brought to let go of their fears and socially and medically transition as an adult.

Paul: Living with undiagnosed Asperger's

Living with undiagnosed Asperger's

Paul shared his journey with undiagnosed Aspergers and how he overcame limitations to boost his creativity and support others in the community.

Anita: Resilience despite health difficulties

Resilience despite health difficulties

Anita’s story is a celebration of resilience. She works hard to support and look after others, despite ill health and numerous operations.

Terri: Friendships

Friendships

Terri shared the story of her friendships. How she cared for her dearest friend’s widow and how her friends supported her when she was at her most vulnerable.

Joe: Growing up with dyslexia

Growing up with dyslexia

Joe talked about growing up with dyslexia, the challenges he encountered with his family as a child and how he now works with, supports and admires his wife and children.

Sadie: Her supportive family

Her supportive family

Sadie talked about the impact her nephew has had on her family. Vinnie died when he was 2 days old, but continues to inspire her family in profound and moving ways.

Jackie: The importance of music

The importance of music

Jackie’s story explored vulnerability and courage and how important music is to her life.

Jo: Family support during bad times

Family support during bad times

Jo talked about how her family pulled together to support one another during times of ill health and around the death of her mother in 2008.

Jensen: Inclusivity in the wrestling community

Inclusivity in the wrestling community

Jensen spoke about his experience as a wrestler from the LGBTQ+ community and how inclusive he found the wrestling community when he came out.

David: Supporting his communityin health and wellbeing after prostate cancer

Supporting his communityin health and wellbeing after prostate cancer

David’s story was about how he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, went through treatment during covid, and how he is inspired to help others by supporting his community in health and wellbeing.

Jamie: Overcoming negative cycles

Overcoming negative cycles

Jamie talked about the impact of losing his Dad when he was 11, and how he overcame negative cycles and self-doubt to create a sense of security and self-belief.

Frances: How open water swimming has transformed her life

How open water swimming has transformed her life

Frances talked about how her life has been transformed by open water swimming.

Susanna: Overcoming work life burnout

Overcoming work life burnout

Susanna spoke about her experience of work life burnout, and how the tools she discovered have led her on a new path to founding the School of Creative Wellness.

Anna: Getting through lockdown

Getting through lockdown

Anna shared her story of lockdown, loneliness and friendship.

Laura: Overcoming her gambling addiction

Overcoming her gambling addiction

Laura talked about her journey of recovery from a gambling addiction, what peer support has meant to her and how sharing her story has been a source of empowerment.

Jane: Working in the NHS after a pre-mature baby

Working in the NHS after a pre-mature baby

Jane developed pre-eclampsia leading to the birth of her daughter at 28 weeks. She left a difficult relationship and was at risk of homelessness. Her daughter is now safe and well but Jane felt an overwhelming desire to give back to the NHS which saved their lives, and has been working with the NHS for over 20 years.

Aimi and Kim: Benefitting from a parenting course

Benefitting from a parenting course

Kim and Aimi talked about their parenting journey and how a parenting course helped them to feel less alone, less shame, and gave them the tools to build a healthy and happy relationship with their children.

Matt: Volunteering at a Community Cafe

Volunteering at a Community Cafe

Matt chatted about volunteering at the Christmas and Community Café for 16 years, what he has learnt and how some of this learning is applied in his working role.

Emma: Unexpected enjoyment of physical activity

Unexpected enjoyment of physical activity

Emma talked about her relationship with physical activity – from no level of physical activity to completing her 100th outdoor swim, and how she learnt to embrace silliness and appreciate the natural environment.

Cara: Supporting her sister through cancer

Supporting her sister through cancer

Cara spoke about how she found resilience whilst supporting her sister on her cancer journey through covid times and beyond.

Amanda: Discovering resilience after a mid-life crisis

Discovering resilience after a mid-life crisis

Amanda found herself surviving a mid-life crisis at 45. She began a process of learning to read the signs and having the courage to make changes. It became a discovery of the real meaning of resilience and the importance of congruence.

Roger: Learning to live without his protective cognitive shield

Learning to live without his protective cognitive shield

Roger spoke about how he developed a protective cognitive shield in his childhood, which saw adversity and poverty. He now has learnt to put the shield down and strives to live more authentically.

Kev: Self discovery

Self discovery

From a serious road accident in Southampton in 1996, to a mental health crisis and hospitalisation in Sydney in 2019. This is Kev’s story of self-discovery, why 2022 has been the most important experiment of his life and how he has built human connections through meditation, volunteering and trading some unwanted habits for healthy ones.

Hannah: Supporting a friend through cancer

Supporting a friend through cancer

Hannah talked about her friend Katie, who sadly died of cancer. She spoke about what it was like to support a friend with this illness, what she learnt and how she misses and honours Katie now.

Issa: Building himself up from rock bottom, through poetry and art

Building himself up from rock bottom, through poetry and art

Issa spoke about how he thought he hit rock bottom about a decade ago when he endured a mental health crisis. He has slowly built himself back up through the poetry and art scene and takes every opportunity that comes his way.

Ruth: Succeeding in passing her driving test

Succeeding in passing her driving test

Ruth shared her story of learning to drive, and how after 8 attempts (and a trip to Botswana) she passed her driving test and began to see the benefits of being able to provide transport for her family.

Kate: Bullying at school

Bullying at school

Kate’s story was about how she was bullied at school. With the support from her mother she found the strength to change things around and now practises kindness and empathy to support others.

Mary: Looking after herself following cancer diagnosis and treatment

Looking after herself following cancer diagnosis and treatment

Mary shared her cancer journey, including hair loss, fertility issues and the loneliness of being diagnosed by herself during lockdown. She will explain how she looks after herself and how volunteering and exercise has helped.

Sam: Overcoming her fear of failure

Overcoming her fear of failure

Sam was interviewed by Anna. She shared her journey of overcoming her fear of failure, and how reaching out to ask women about fierceness, fun and feminism has given her courage to take up space.

Sally: Managing grief

Managing grief

Sally talked about how she managed her grief following the death of her daughter, Abby, in 2016. Her charity, Abby’s Heroes supports children and their families who have been diagnosed with cancer.

Wendy: Learning to self-advocate

Learning to self-advocate

Wendy’s story is about the depression that runs in her family and how she has learnt to self-advocate and look after herself through music, meditation, yoga and alternative medicines. Her story includes the loss of her mother to suicide and how this tragic event informed her energy to look after herself.

Alex: Bringing together mental, physical and lifestyle health changes

Bringing together mental, physical and lifestyle health changes

Last year Alex spoke at a Touch event when he had significant health challenges that had lasted two years, not sure if it was chronic fatigue or ME or something else. The last six months has been an upward path towards recovery – bringing together threads of mental, physical and lifestyle health changes which has given him impetus and determination. “ I find myself in a hopeful place where a year ago I was desperate and hopeless.”

Tiffany: Mental and physical health during pregnancy

Mental and physical health during pregnancy

Tiffany spoke about her mental and physical health suffering throughout her pregnancy. From these dark times Tiffany was able to fulfil her dream of starting her own business during lockdown so that she could be the best mum she could be for her daughter.

Jules: Severe travel anxiety and OCD

Severe travel anxiety and OCD

Jules talked about her severe travel anxiety and OCD, which left her scared of everything from driving to using the hoover! Alongside specialist therapy, she says what helped her overcome it was the promise that one day she would be able to share her story to help someone else.

Gail: Discovering a peaceful way of living through meditation

Discovering a peaceful way of living through meditation

Gail shared her journey from being a stressed, burnt-out deputy head teacher, struggling to get through each day, to finding meditation and discovering a happier, more peaceful way of living.

Eric: Finding an inner peace

Finding an inner peace

Eric talked about finding an inner peace and strength in times of fear and worry through helping others.

Sukhy: Tension in cultural heritage

Tension in cultural heritage

Sukhy spoke about the tension between her cultural heritage and her divorce, and how she found the strength of character to leave her husband despite everyone around her telling her not to and to follow cultural norms.

Cheryl: Depression and borderline Personal disorder

Depression and borderline Personal disorder

Cheryl talked about her journey with her mental health, her diagnosis of depression and borderline personality disorder. Her story includes suicide attempts and self harm.  Her life took a turn onto an upward trajectory following the birth of her children when she was able to recognise her needs and is now thriving.

Frances: Lockdown experiences

Lockdown experiences

Frances shared her experiences of lockdown and how she reignited a love of gardening. Also how her community adapted to the situation and how her charity adapted to serve the community.

Lorraine: Living with paralysis

Living with paralysis

Formerly a fitness instructor, Lorraine woke up paralysed in 2007, after a flu-type bug developed into M.E. and forced her to stop trading. Lorraine uses her lived experiences to help others. She advocates for open discussions around sex and disability.

Crystal: Moving to another country

Moving to another country

Crystal spoke about her experience of coming from China to the UK to study and how she overcame the difficulties that come with moving countries.

Michael: Complex PTSD and Adult ADHD

Complex PTSD and Adult ADHD

Michael spoke about his recovery journey with Complex PTSD, Adult ADHD, focusing on overcoming the obstacles in his path to achieve unbelievable highs, helping others on an international scale.

Kirk: Managing mental health through art

Managing mental health through art

Kirk shared his story of managing his mental health through his art work. His story includes self harm, addiction and sexual abuse. He will talk about how his friends at ManGang have been a brotherhood of support and healing.

Tee: Ongoing mental health

Ongoing mental health

Tee talked about her ongoing relationship with her mental health and how a diagnosis of ADHD has allowed her to unapologetically turn up as her true self.

Mike: Substance abuse

Substance abuse

Mike spoke about his journey with substance abuse, his time caring for his father who had dementia, and how he is now a force for good in his community on his allotment

Cara: Over-active thyroid

Over-active thyroid

Cara talked about her health battle with an over-active thyroid, how her diagnosis led to a career change, her learning about her body and discovering a new passion.

Greg: Neurodiversity and business

Neurodiversity and business

There are many parts to Greg’s story, which covered being bullied, neuro diversity, toxic masculinity, addiction. He has now started his own company and is truly inspiring. He brings his true self to everything, and encourages others to do so too.

Debbie: Living with MS

Living with MS

Debbie talked about dealing with diagnosis of MS, and how it impacted her mental health. She spoke about her coping strategies and how music helps her to manage her mental health.

Andy: Setting up ManGang

Setting up ManGang

Andy spoke about how he worked through his struggles with Bipolar Disorder, suicide and workplace stress. He founded ManGang, a peer support group supporting men through troubling times; he has a passion for helping others thrive.

Mel: Using poetry as a tool kit

Using poetry as a tool kit

Mel spoke about her experience of being hospitalised with depression in 2020 and how poetry became an important part of her tool kit for recovery.

Ruth: Tenacity and resilience

Tenacity and resilience

Ruth’s story was a celebration of her tenacity and her resilience. She talked about how her strength of personality has helped her work through various hardships in her life and how living in the moment and being grateful for what she has helped her when she has difficult days.

Daniel: Taking control of his life

Taking control of his life

Daniel spoke about the difficulties he faced while coming out as gay in the 90s, how he subsequently developed an eating disorder, and how he took control of elements in his life to become a force for good in the community.

Jasmine: Using dancing to support herself

Using dancing to support herself

Jasmine talked about her journey with her mental health and how dancing has been a constant pillar of support throughout her life.

Miranda: Coping with post natal depression

Coping with post natal depression

Miranda spoke about how putting on a pair of trainers helped her cope with post natal depression. Her story was also about how running has helped her though other challenging times, including the death of her friend Tina.  Miranda’s running journey was supported and inspired by Tina and she now continues her legacy through her charity work.

Octavia: Living with alopecia

Living with alopecia

Octavia spoke about her journey with alopecia and how sport helped her get through those tough times.

Jude: Discovering the joy of making vegan food while supporting her anxiety

Discovering the joy of making vegan food while supporting her anxiety

Jude’s story was about supporting herself through stress and trauma related anxiety … and finding a hidden talent in making beautiful vegan food in the process.

Sarah: Asperger's and giving back to her support structures

Asperger's and giving back to her support structures

Sarah spoke about her journey with mental health, her journey with Asperger’s and how she now gives back to the support structures she relied on.

Sophie: Expressing herself through writing

Expressing herself through writing

Sophie spoke about finding a love of expressing herself through writing and the journey of getting her work published and finding a place to have your voice heard.

Megan: Volunteering during quarantine

Volunteering during quarantine

Megan talked about how volunteering gave her some moments of light and connection through quarantine, when she was unable to be with her family

Seb: Tackling self-doubt

Tackling self-doubt

Seb spoke about how she tackled self-doubt through incremental challenges to achieve personal growth.

Zara: Finding a healthy work/life balance through volunteering

Finding a healthy work/life balance through volunteering

Zara spoke about how volunteering encouraged her to look at her own academic practises and find a healthy work / life balance. Her story will also touch on her strained relationship with her father and his substance misuse

Sim: Gaining a sense of empowerment while volunteering at university

Gaining a sense of empowerment while volunteering at university

Sim spoke about how volunteering has given her a sense of empowerment through difficult times at University

Lisa: Her lifelong role as a carer

Her lifelong role as a carer

Lisa spoke about her lifelong role as a carer for her family and how after some catastrophic events over 15 years Lisa embarked on a spiritual journey. She will touch on her poor mental health and unhealthy coping mechanisms that lead to self-harm, failed suicide attempts and reaching the lowest of lows.

Danni: How her dad changed her life

How her dad changed her life

Danni talked about how she met her Dad, how he changed her life and helped her to realise what it takes to be a real Father.

Dan: Vulnerability and self-acceptance

Vulnerability and self-acceptance

Dan spoke about his journey of vulnerability and self-acceptance, from experiencing eating disorders and poor body image, and also a physical assault. Dan found that showing up authentically in all situations and becoming a mental health advocate, created a life-affirming and healing path for him.

Davey: Supporting his wife through her cancer treatment

Supporting his wife through her cancer treatment

Davey talked about how he looked after his own wellbeing while supporting his wife through her cancer treatment throughout lockdown.

Kate: Authenticity and vulnerability

Authenticity and vulnerability

Kate told us how she has accepted her anxiety diagnosis and now tries to live by showing her authentic and vulnerable self.

Kevin: Reitniting his love for fishing after his dad died

Reitniting his love for fishing after his dad died

Kevin spoke about reigniting his love for fishing after his dad died and how a happy turn of events brought his mum peace.

Jenny: How childhood trauma shaped her approach to parenting

How childhood trauma shaped her approach to parenting

Jenny spoke about her experience of childhood trauma and how it shaped her positive and present approach to parenting.

Lottie: Self acceptance and setting boundaries

Self acceptance and setting boundaries

Lottie, our newest member of the team, is a bundle of stories and she talked about how her abundant life led her to our community at Touch Network. Her stories touched on neurodiversity, mental health, her continuing battle with self-acceptance and setting boundaries.

Kay: Looking at herself without role models

Looking at herself without role models

Kay spoke about the difficulties of looking at herself without role models and the pressures she has faced trying to be one.

Georgie: Living with Poland's Syndrome

Living with Poland's Syndrome

Georgie talked about difficult experiences with Poland’s Syndrome as a teenager, her journey to reclaim her body & in the process fall in love with herself.

Wendy: Gender transition and General Practice

Gender transition and General Practice

Wendy spoke about her transition, 20 years ago, while working as a GP.

Bryan: Creating a mental health self-help group

Creating a mental health self-help group

Bryan’s story covered the experience of starting and facilitating a mental health self-help group for the last 11 years; the reasons for initially wanting to join one and the surprises, joys and the occasional difficulties of sharing life and journeying with people navigating life and mental health. It’s been a life changing ride.

Megan: Imposter syndrome

Imposter syndrome

In conversation with one of the Touch team, Megan talked about her experience with imposter syndrome.

Kwame: Overcoming childhood struggles to become an artist and musician

Overcoming childhood struggles to become an artist and musician

Kwame told us how, against the odds, he overcame struggles and poor health in his early years in Ghana to become an established Artist and Musician, sharing his Cultural Heritage through these mediums, and building a life with his family in the UK.

Ash: Using Autism as a Strength

Using Autism as a Strength

Ash spoke about her relationship with autism and how she uses it as a strength in her relationships and career.

Sue: Stepping Outside her Comfort Zone

Stepping Outside her Comfort Zone

Sue used inspirational quotes to shape her story, which she described as the bones that kept her standing during the tough times. She talked about emigrating from the country she loved in order to give her children hope and security and how she found the courage to step outside her comfort zone.

Darren: Using Spirtuality to Stay Sober

Using Spirtuality to Stay Sober

Darren talked about how spirituality helped him to become and stay sober and described the practices he uses to keep him on his path.

Holly: Losing her Father

Losing her Father

Holly talked about how she lost her dad, her best friend, very suddenly. She described how she continues his legacy of helping and supporting people in her own way.

Will: Using Art to Spread Hope

Using Art to Spread Hope

Will spoke about how he uses his art to spread hope throughout his community.

Eleanor: Body Acceptance

Body Acceptance

Eleanor spoke about how she learnt to love and accept her body and embrace moving joyfully

John: Learning Languages

Learning Languages

John talked about how literature and learning languages led him to leave an abusive relationship and find love.

Sophie: Overcoming Attempted Suicide

Overcoming Attempted Suicide

Sophie spoke about her time in the care system, her time homeless and her time overcoming attempted suicide.

Kate: Using Mindfulness

Using Mindfulness

Kate explained how she built mindfulness into her days by the sea with her children in order to be at peace with her anxiety disorder.

Mark: Living with Depression

Living with Depression

Mark shared his lived experience of depression & anxiety and how he overcame his struggles with lack of self belief, inadequacy and not feeling good enough. He’s now full of hope & positivity and wants to encourage you to walk in the same joy he does

Emily: Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer

Emily talked about her experience of being diagnosed with Breast Cancer age 34…The ups, the downs and how some amazing things have happened in her life as a result.

Joe: Being a Carer

Being a Carer

Joe talked about the varying roles she’s played in her life, and how, through the pandemic, she’s learnt to embrace her latest role of being a carer.

Clarke: Finding his Dream Career

Finding his Dream Career

Clarke spoke about how in spite, and perhaps because of losing his sight and battling ill health, he found his dream career as an artist.

Alex: Finding Ways to Manage his own Wellbeing

Finding Ways to Manage his own Wellbeing

Alex talked about his journey of learning ways to look after his own wellbeing through periods of life change, ill health and mental health challenges.

Carl: Drug addiction and recovery

Drug addiction and recovery

Carl lived a life that was full of anger, judgement, drugs, alcohol and violence before he found recovery and also TONIC Music for Mental Health.

Aisling: Living with Cerebral Palsy

Living with Cerebral Palsy

Aisling shared what it is like for her to live with Cerebral Palsy. She told us how her parents were given a damning diagnosis from doctors when she was born, and how she has overcome her own physical limitations, and the limitations set by others, to live a full life, where she has travelled the world and embraced the University experience.

Devin: Living as a Transgender Man

Living as a Transgender Man

I’m a 27 year old transgender man, and for me the word queer best describes my sexuality. It is important to say that transgender people’s stories are as varied as stars in the sky, but for me, I always knew I was a boy when I was younger and asserted as much at Primary school. However, this became unacceptable when I got to Secondary school, and it is around this time my mental health really dipped. I am at peace with being transgender, if I had the option I probably would not want to change that about myself, because it has shaped who I am, opened my mind, and my ability to relate and empathise with people

Joe: NHS Services

NHS Services

Joe has worked as a nurse for the NHS for nearly 34 years and feels a sense of pride and honour to do so, especially after using the services after an asthma attack. Joe believes that it doesn’t matter what you know, where you are, it is the smallest things in life that can make the biggest and real difference. Joe was inspired by others sharing their stories, in a hope that this may unlock something in others to want to open up and reveal themselves when they are ready, as Joe was at this event.

Lisa: Children's MH Week

Children's MH Week

Lisa ran her own Day Nursery for 18 years then retrained to become a counsellor. From her experience in counselling children with learning and behavioural difficulties together with her involvement in a homeless charity, Lisa was inspired to create The Repairables. It is a collection of 7 fun and humorous tales that help children to create an awareness of thoughts, feelings and behaviours showing that difficult feelings can be overcome, providing hope and reassurance.

Mike: Silver Linings

Silver Linings

Mike was made redundant at 9am on 25th June last year… What has happened since, has been somewhat of a positive whirlwind. 7 months later, Mike has inspired rubbish to be collected in 16 countries, across 5 continents, by kids from as young as 4 to adults in their 80s.

Liam: Inspiration

Inspiration

Liam is a world traveller who turned his life around after making subtle changes to his daily life, and now finds himself on a mission to show others the benefits of making adjustments to their mindsets and daily lives.

Charlie: Silver linings

Silver linings

Charlie is a Mum in her 40’s who has overcome having a stroke and breast cancer and now does mixed martial arts (pretty badass!) and raises money for cancer charities.

Victoria: Challenges

Challenges

Since her school days, it has always been Victoria’s passion to be involved in community service. Now she works tirelessly to help the community in Southampton, as the co-founder of the Golden Eaglets Project, a trustee of The United Voice of African Association and as founder of Feed The Community Project.

Will: Motivation

Motivation

In 2017 Will packed his bags and left a secure life in Southampton to start a new adventure. Coffee has always been a passion and Will wanted to learn more about it from the roots of the industry. An inspiring journey through Latin America led to setting up River Coffee Roaster, a speciality coffee roastery based in Winchester.

Andy: Bipolar Affective Disorder, suicide and workplace stress

Bipolar Affective Disorder, suicide and workplace stress

Andy told us how he overcame his struggles with Bipolar Affective Disorder, suicide and workplace stress. He founded ManGang UK, a peer support group supporting men through troubling times and how he has a passion for helping people thrive.

Dan: Exercise

Exercise

Dan talked about how he has found exercise to be his medication through hard times.

Megan: Mental health and music

Mental health and music

Megan, who works in Mental Health, sang two original songs.

Matt: Mental health

Mental health

After battling with his own mental health from a young age, Matt realised he could use his experience to help others in their time of need and has now worked in the mental health industry for 10 years.

Jan: Self doubt

Self doubt

Jan has always loved a good story. She used to dream about being able to write one. But, because she could never tell a story – say once upon a time then make it up on the spot until they all lived happily ever after – she believed that she didn’t have an imagination. So she didn’t try writing one until she was forty, when she took a risk and put pen to paper. Jan’s own story is about the ways she’s found to overcome her self doubt and how doing it anyway makes her happy.

Dave: Evaluating childhood

Evaluating childhood

The pandemic has given Dave the chance to think back about aspects of his childhood he’s never understood such as why the age gap between him and his brother, why his parents bring up their two boys in a one bedroom flat and why he cried so much. While not yet finding an answer to these questions, Dave chatted to us about how all this has both hindered and helped him since.

Kim: Creating a business

Creating a business

Kim talked about how some of her life and work experiences have brought her to a place in her life where she was able to create a business.  Fairly late in life discovering she had a passion for singing, and incorporating this passion with aspects of her professional job as a social worker, Kim created The Memory Choir

Darren: Drinking

Drinking

Darren chatted about how he felt powerless over his drinking and personal life but has managed to turn things around through getting sober and becoming a pivotal part of an AA helpline service, including implementing a new digital system and dealing with other changes that have had to be implemented due to COVID 19.

Jess: ME/CFS

ME/CFS

In March 2019 Jess was diagnosed with ME/CFS, which caused her to rethink her whole approach to life. Almost exactly a year later, lockdown is enforced in the UK and life has to change again – but this time, thanks to the lessons learnt in managing a chronic health condition, she is a little more prepared.

Dan: Running a business during COVID

Running a business during COVID

Dan talked about the challenges of running a business during the coronavirus pandemic whilst managing anxiety, supporting a shielding parent & exploring ways of thinking outside the box to make sure that his businesses survive (and thrive) post pandemic.

Rachel: Lockdown

Lockdown

Rachel reflected on how she coped during lockdown with her family and what she has learnt from the experience.

Danni: Achievements of travelling

Achievements of travelling

Danni talked about the time she crossed the Sinai Desert, the challenge then and how it has shaped and changed her life now.

Anna: Lockdown

Lockdown

Anna chatted through how she has got to know her brother’s dog, Phazer, through lockdown and how it has helped her think, reflect and move forward with family relationships.

Saire : Self compassion and looking after herself

Self compassion and looking after herself

Saire’s life in lockdown…a journey of discovery. Saire talked about how she increased her self-compassion and learned how to look after herself better during lockdown.

Nazneen & Pathik: Lockdown

Lockdown

Nazneen, Pathik and Debs chatted together about how they managed lockdown with young children. Focusing on the solutions they found to support them and their children to feel the best they could during what has been a difficult time.

Laura: Lockdown

Lockdown

Laura regularly uses poetry to explore ideas and experiences, and shared something she wrote to capture the highs and lows of life in lockdown.

Simon: Working in the NHS during COVID

Working in the NHS during COVID

Simon talked about working in COVID… expecting the unexpected, Simon’s personal perspective.

Debs: Depression and addictions

Depression and addictions

Debs chatted through moving through her depression and addictions and talked about how her creativity and core art journaling has finally given her a sense of purpose to help her heal on her recovery journey.

Ed: Shyness

Shyness

Ed shared a couple of lightbulb moments he had that fundamentally changed how he approaches life. He talked about why those experiences enabled him to shake off a lifetime of shyness, and challenge how he juggled being himself, a worker, a father and a partner

Curtis: Hitting rock bottom

Hitting rock bottom

Curtis told us about hitting rock bottom was a scary place that enabled him to find the courage to talk and seek help. He described how a combination of family support and counselling helped him to turn his life around.

Maggie: Life pressures

Life pressures

Maggie shared her story of learning to cope and build herself back up after life pressures got too much. The story related to how pretending to be fine and strong was damaging to her. Maggie started to learn to communicate better about her feelings and what she needed, rather than always putting others’ needs first.

Laura: Anxiety

Anxiety

Laura shared some of her story of struggle with anxiety and the healing process she has experienced. She shared a poem about the hope she found, even in the hard times.

Clare & Mike: Sharing stories through music

Sharing stories through music

Clare and Mike performed acoustically from the heart, sharing their stories through music.

Ian: Depression

Depression

Ian talked about his 17 years working in insurance with high profile clients and a busy social life. Ian told us about how everything wasn’t as it looked, he was struggling with depression. He talked about the life choices he made that have led to, and continue to help, with his recovery.

Sarah: Autism

Autism

Sarah talked about her recent diagnosis of autism. She explained how this has helped her to understand the challenges she’s faced, become more accepting of herself and connect more deeply to others.

Charlie: Bad experience of boarding school

Bad experience of boarding school

Not everyone who went to boarding school ends up running the country – those are one lot. The other lot are sufficiently wounded by the experience that it shapes their whole life, and they struggle to understand, make sense and overcome it. Charlie is one of those.

Lizzie: Feeling low

Feeling low

Lizzie described how after lots of big life events in a short space of time, she noticed she began to feel particularly low and the feeling wasn’t shifting. She slowly began to accept that this wasn’t normal and that she needed to seek help. Lizzie’s story described how she found beauty in herself and life again.

Rach: Working in Thai orphanage

Working in Thai orphanage

Rach talked about her and her husband’s journey to Thailand working in a Thai orphanage and adopting 2 children from there with special needs. She shared her experiences and how they have adapted to life in the UK since returning.

Sarah: Cancer

Cancer

Sarah talked about when she arrived in the area and was greeted with an unexpected diagnosis of cancer. Sarah shared her story of hope, healing and provision.

Anna: Working with refugees

Working with refugees

Anna talked about her work with Refugees and how witnessing the most traumatic period of someone’s life has affected her own life since returning to the local area.

Judy: Bringing up children in the 60s/70s encouraged by yoga and sport

Bringing up children in the 60s/70s encouraged by yoga and sport

Judy talked about her wonderful life and bringing up children in the 60s/70s encouraged by yoga and sport. She also talked about marriage guidance.

Sandhya: Overcoming pain

Overcoming pain

Sandhya talked inspirationally at event 1 about how she overcame pain. She talked more in depth about some of the tools that have helped transform her life.

Vie: Setting up social enterprise

Setting up social enterprise

From feeling like a failed human to becoming a success in her own terms, Vie talked about her social enterprise journey to setting up VieNess Discover You Love You CIC.

Emma: Autism

Autism

Emma shared her experiences of being on the autistic spectrum, of having a hard time understanding love and relationships and of being hopelessly infatuated with pop stars, a teacher and an ex-boyfriend, before finally finding a long-term partner at the ripe old age of 38.

James: Adjustment disorder and PTSD

Adjustment disorder and PTSD

James talked about overcoming an adjustment disorder from his transition from the military to civilian life. He talked about how this compounded his diagnosis of PTSD from his service and how, with help, he has navigated his mental health issues on his journey of recovery, to now lead a healthy and positive life. James told us about how he now works for the organisation that helped him through.

Rebecca: Functional Neurological Disorder

Functional Neurological Disorder

Rebecca talked about Functional Neurological Disorder, which makes her wobble and shake at times. She focussed on how she has found she is more resilient than she thought, and that her friends and family have picked her up when things are hard to cope with.

Richard: Career as a professional musican

Career as a professional musican

Richard talked about his career as a professional musician and how he turned his passion into a sustainable, full time, occupation.

Jen: A deteriorating physical health condition

A deteriorating physical health condition

Jen talked about her life changing diagnosis from being a busy, fit and active, working mum to giving in to her physical health condition with symptoms of fatigue as well as attending frequent hospital appointments. She talked about the changes she has put in place bringing a sense of calm, happiness and acceptance back into her life.

Ian: Working with people with addiction

Working with people with addiction

Ian talked about his previous career as an ‘NHS substance mis-use worker’. He talked about the highs and lows of working with people with addiction and the long-lasting legacy it will hold for him.

Gav: Song writing

Song writing

Gav talked about how he started song writing and how, with humour, it has helped him write about the good and bad times in his life.

Dave: Dealing with devastating events

Dealing with devastating events

“None of us really know what’s going to happen in the future particularly when it comes to unexpectedly losing a loved one. I always felt that for the sake of my happiness and well-being it was good to have a constant and ongoing plan in my mind; the next holiday, Christmas surprises and even a self-build shed, but sometimes devastating things happen over which you have absolutely no control. So how do you deal with it? Well, the answer is quite straightforward believe it or not: badly. But life is still what you make it and all might just be well in the end.”

Stefan: Setting up a restaurant

Setting up a restaurant

Stefan talked about his experiences setting up Temple Street Canteen. He also explained why he feels that businesses have a responsibility to act ethically – as well as sharing his plans for the future.

Pip: Turning 50

Turning 50

Pip chatted with us about how becoming 50 marked a turning point in her life. Around this time Pip was forced to escape the ‘rat race’ for health reasons, but in turn this enabled Pip move from a place of emptiness to gratitude.

Debs: Overwhelming challenges & being out of her comfort zone

Overwhelming challenges & being out of her comfort zone

Founder of Touch Network, Debs updated us on her current overcoming challenges, especially around being out of her comfort zone when things seem to be going well. She also updated us on our new project ‘My Amazing Story’ and how she attempts to overcome fear when trying out new ideas such as this.

Anne & Jenny: Setting up Southampton Mental Health Network

Setting up Southampton Mental Health Network

Annie and Jenny talked about the things that encouraged Annie to lead on setting up the Southampton Mental Health Network and how Jenny and her family have inspired, supported and motivated her on the way.

Colin: Life as an actor, drug & alcohol worker & founder of a Ukulele Band

Life as an actor, drug & alcohol worker & founder of a Ukulele Band

Husband, father of 3.5 children, orphan, founder of Southampton Ukulele Jam, actor, drug and alcohol worker, and member of the Chateau Bateau Band looks back over his 51 years and wonders how he got here without falling off the edge.

Ian: Love of music and setting up a record shop

Love of music and setting up a record shop

Ian talked about how music has always played an important role throughout his life during his poverty-stricken childhood to working in the care sector for 30 years. With the help of the community, music loves and a Euro-millionaire friend, Iain has fulfilled his dream of setting up a record shop.

Sue: Overcoming extreme Self consciousness

Overcoming extreme Self consciousness

Sue talked about overcoming extreme self-consciousness about how she looked and the clothes she wore during childhood, teenage years and young adulthood – leaving her feeling ridiculed and very isolated. Sue has since found a way through, finally giving her the confidence she has always lacked.

Dana: A debilitating illness and social media

A debilitating illness and social media

Dana talked about her son’s debilitating illness, how it has affected his and the family’s life and how social media has created a huge support network giving the family hope for the future.

Sandhya: Tools to overcome physical and mental pain from 3 car accidents

Tools to overcome physical and mental pain from 3 car accidents

Sandhya talked about how she has had not one, not two, but three car accidents. How she has found different tools to help other overcome the physical and mental pain which in turn has inspired her to se up her own business to help others.

Delia: Tough professional experiences

Tough professional experiences

Delia talked about ‘Learning Marathon’ Programme – how it has made her reflect about tough professional experiences and how to move on from them and rebuild herself professionally for the 2020s.

Ric: Organising a huge community event

Organising a huge community event

Imagine organising a community event attended by 20,000 people and costing nearly £100,000 to stage… Ric told us all about the hurdles he has to get over and the passion that drives him.

Clare: Other people's expectations

Other people's expectations

Clare talked about shedding the baggage of other people’s expectations and finding her path again through writing.

Celeste: Developing sense of home and community

Developing sense of home and community

Celeste talked about her experience of change during the time she has lived in Southampton. Looking at her developing sense of home, what this has meant to her, and how her sense of community has changed.

Marc: Living with a mental illness

Living with a mental illness

Marc shared with us his journey of what it has been like living with a mental illness. From self destruction and addiction, to seeking help and understanding.

Lucy: Difficult relationships

Difficult relationships

Lucy chatted to us about her experience of some difficult relationships. She told us about her journey of discovering who she is, what she thinks, what she needs and how she is okay with knowing the journey is not over yet.

Pathik: Stammering as a public speaker

Stammering as a public speaker

Pathik talked about his journey as a public speaker living with a stammer, and how it has affected his life, work, and the way he approaches challenges.

Dominic: Shyness and introversion

Shyness and introversion

Dominic talked about how he grew up feeling that no one wanted to hear what he thought and being very quiet and withdrawn, with no apparent leadership skills. But a passion for justice has propelled him into debt advice and he is now CEO of a debt advice charity.

Joh: Breast cancer

Breast cancer

Joh was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, aged 31. She talked less about the horrors of treatment and more about how her experience and ways of coping have shaped living her ‘new normal’ life, finding the silver linings to the black cloud that is cancer, and ultimately finding happiness in the face of adversity.

Saire & Laura: Friendship and living with mental ill health

Friendship and living with mental ill health

Saire and Laura chatted with us about how their friendship has been a lifeline through the highs and lows of living with mental ill health. They told us about how they met, and how their friendship has a huge impact on how they can enjoy life and have fun.

Claire: Setting up a community bookshop

Setting up a community bookshop

Claire shared how her passion for social change has led her to be the instigator in the epic move of Southampton’s community bookshop, October Books, and some of the personal challenges faced on this journey.

Chris: Highs and lows of his entrepreneurial career

Highs and lows of his entrepreneurial career

Chris chatted to us about his entrepreneurial career and described the highs and lows of this. He also described the twists and turns that his personal life has taken, including moving here from South Africa and family life.

Matt & Rueben: Embracing mental wellbeing

Embracing mental wellbeing

Matt and Reuben who work at Trago Lounge (a café bar in Portswood) shared some of their own stories, and chatted with us about how the team have decided to embrace mental wellbeing, through supporting Touch Network, as their fundraising cause of the year.

Jane: Cancer & living with a constant oxygen supply

Cancer & living with a constant oxygen supply

Jane is a cancer survivor – not only one but twice. Jane is living with other health conditions and uses a constant oxygen supply. She talked about her life experiences and challenges with health and work.

Charlie: Marriage breakdown

Marriage breakdown

Charlie was 50 something when his marriage broke down and he found himself homeless in Southampton. He talked about his experience and how it affected him and the unusual friendship he formed in Southampton. He believes: “we need to be bigger than some of our beliefs.”

Alex: Searching for his identity & reconnecting with his father

Searching for his identity & reconnecting with his father

Alex is a mixed-race person born in Eastern Europe. He talked about his experiences and search for identity and his reconnection with his ethnic background and his father who he has not seen in decades.

Brian: Fear of heights

Fear of heights

Brian is 82 now. Throughout his long illustrious life he has faced and overcome a number of personal challenges and obstacles, starting with his work and conquering the fear of heights. He talked about his experiences of work and overcoming personal fears.

Hany: Being an immigrant in a foreign country

Being an immigrant in a foreign country

Hany is an Afghani woman who has found herself an immigrant in a foreign country three times so far. She talked about her life’s experiences and her long journey to the UK and “never giving up”

Baila: Survivor of domestic violence and abuse

Survivor of domestic violence and abuse

Baila is Pakistani woman, survivor of violence and abuse together with her four daughters from whom she has been separated. She talked about her experiences and how she motivated herself and “kept on going”….

Debs: What her business means to her

What her business means to her

Debs chatted through what working with Touch Network means to her, and the journey it has taken in order to get to a place of feeling comfortable with her working life

Amy: Long term health condition

Long term health condition

Amy chatted with Debs about her long-term health condition and how she maintains her sense of humour throughout it all. They chatted together about how Amy continues to not be beaten by the condition, how she is a mum of two and how she once set up an inspiring social impact project in her local area.

Nicky: Depression and a brain tumour

Depression and a brain tumour

Following the birth of her first child, Nicky lived with depression for 16 years. She doesn’t know why she suddenly got better, she just did. Then in 2015 Nicky was diagnosed with a brain tumour. She was shocked and scared and life changed. Nicky and others worried for her mental health in the face of such news. In November 2017 Nicky underwent an 8 hour brain surgery and continues to adjust to the new normal.

Heather: Post traumatic growth

Post traumatic growth

Heather shared her story of post traumatic growth. She took us with her as she recalled the highs and lows of being a critically ill patient and then a carer for her terminally ill mum. Together these experiences have changed her life, and its purpose, as well as giving her the most fab-u-lous opportunities.

Jemma: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

At the age of fourteen Jemma was diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, something of which was only brought to her doctor’s attention after her mum noticed a deformity in her back while she was getting ready for a birthday party. As the curvature and twist in her spine worsened and she progressed into her teenage years, Jemma became more conscious about her body and the things she would wear. Now, after having an operation (spinal fusion) at the age of nineteen, Jemma feels more confident than ever and is glad that she managed to bounce back from a hard time in her life as quick as she did.

Matt: Panic attacks, dehabilitating anxiety & physical symptoms of stress

Panic attacks, dehabilitating anxiety & physical symptoms of stress

Matt chatted with Debs about developing coping mechanisms for a variety of challenging mental health conditions, including panic attacks, debilitating anxiety and physical symptoms of stress. He reflected upon how creative writing and poetry can help people overcome social phobias and how exercise provides him with stability and points of return in times of need

Claudia: Overcoming communist thinking

Overcoming communist thinking

Claudia who reached a milestone in her life this year, discussed how she overcame her communist thinking.

Matt: Challenges and inspirations of fatherhood

Challenges and inspirations of fatherhood

Matt talked about the impact of being a father, how it both challenges and inspires. He explored how as his sons grow older, he connects more with his own childhood.

Hayley and John: Loneliness

Loneliness

John and Hayley spoke together about overcoming challenges such as years of bullying , emotional and mental hurdles, learning to love oneself and turning that negativity into a drive to help and support others.

Debs: Feeling comfortable with her working life

Feeling comfortable with her working life

Debs chatted through what working with Touch Network means to her, and the journey it has taken to get to a place of feeling comfortable with her working life.

Heather: The highs and lows of being a critically ill patient

The highs and lows of being a critically ill patient

Heather shared her story of post traumatic growth. She took us with her as she recalled the highs and lows of being a critically ill patient and then a carer for her terminally ill mum. Together these experiences have changed her life, and its purpose, as well as giving her the most fab-u-lous opportunities.

Lynda: Borderline personality disorder

Borderline personality disorder

Lynda talked about how she found light at the end of the borderline personality disorder tunnel. She chatted through how she navigated her way through the many twists and turns of the sometimes bumpy journey and still enjoy her life.

Luke: Working in social care

Working in social care

Luke talked about his personal work journey and how he has overcome the challenges of working in social care and supporting people with complex needs, emotions, behaviours and systems around them.

Jenni: Living with a canine partners dog

Living with a canine partners dog

Jenni talked about how a wonderful canine partners dog has completely changed the life of a local mum and her family. A happy, warm and waggy friend attended!

Debs: Feeling comfortable with her working life

Feeling comfortable with her working life

Debs chatted through what working with Touch Network means to her, and the journey it has taken to get to a place of feeling comfortable with her working life.

Bhavin: Feeling the odd one out at school

Feeling the odd one out at school

Bhavin chatted to us about feeling the odd one out at school and how this lead to some mental health challenges in adulthood. He told us about how things have moved forward in recent years, through being able to identify his triggers and good friends.

Jan: Getting through illness

Getting through illness

For Jan, to be unable to walk, drive, work, for at least 14 weeks, was inconceivable. Yes, it was a temporary situation, but difficult to contemplate. She did not count on the amazing support she had from friends in the village – her very own Care in the Community!

Paul: Fear of public speaking

Fear of public speaking

Paul spoke about how an insight into his fear of public speaking helped him understand that his fear was not about public speaking at all.

Debs: What her business means to her

What her business means to her

Debs chatted through what working with Touch Network means to her, and the journey it has taken to get to a place of feeling comfortable with her working life.

Vie: Overcoming negative feelings about her body

Overcoming negative feelings about her body

Vie shared her story of being told she was an ugly duckling with no hope of ever becoming a swan and how she overcame the negative feelings about her own body.

Andy: Family triumphs and tragedies

Family triumphs and tragedies

Andy spoke about the significant challenges, triumphs and tragedies he and his family faced over the last few years. A journey of ill health, hope and redemption.

Abby: Living with mental ill health

Living with mental ill health

Abby told us her inspirational story about her journey with her own mental health. This first hand account delved into her life from childhood to today, her mid 30s. We heard about her fascinating life changing experience.

Jon & Chris: Loss of critically ill daughter

Loss of critically ill daughter

Jon and Chris shared how their daughter Katie overcame some of the challenges she faced from critical illness and disability, maintaining a positive attitude even in the final months of her life. They also discussed how they have been managing the day-to-day impact of grief and bereavement following the loss of Katie 18 months ago.

Dominic: Hope and despair of life

Hope and despair of life

Dominic talked about his ordinary life.  As a boy at school he was told that he ‘wouldn’t amount to much’ and he carried that with him into adulthood.  He shared the nagging doubt, a story of love and surprise and how through highs and lows, hope and despair, life has amounted to a fair bit.

Sam: Swimming in open water to help him grieve

Swimming in open water to help him grieve

Sam lost his father in 2017 following a six year battle with cancer. He shared how open water swimming helped him to grieve and why he is exploring how others use exercise to improve their mental health.

Jenny: Challenges and joys of being a foster carer

Challenges and joys of being a foster carer

Jenny talked to us about her life as a Foster Carer, the challenges and joys and the hurdles she has had to overcome to qualify for the role.  Her journey has not necessarily been the classical one, but with the right network around her she has been able to fulfil her dream.

Kevin: Recovering from a sports injury

Recovering from a sports injury

Kevin spoke about suffering a serious sporting injury, his slow road to recovery, and the insight he gained about our world along the way, by suddenly experiencing it from a new perspective – the physically disabled

Joh: Finding silver linings - coping and living with breast cancer

Finding silver linings - coping and living with breast cancer

Joh was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, aged 31. She talked less about the horrors of treatment and more about how her experience and ways of coping have shaped living her ‘new normal’ life, finding the silver linings to the black cloud that is cancer, and ultimately finding happiness in the face of adversity.

Nikki: Her son's premature birth

Her son's premature birth

Nikki shared her story of son Zachary’s premature birth and his 50 days in intensive care. She shared her emotions as well as how she found beauty in the journey.

Clare: Role of music after life-changing diagnoses

Role of music after life-changing diagnoses

Clare spoke about the role of music in her adjustment to a new perspective on life after four life-changing diagnoses in the space of three months. Facing her own mortality has meant that she has been able to let go of some of the fear of ‘what other people might think’ and start writing music again, finding meaning and ways to express some of the things she has experienced, however scary it might be.

Frances: How others have believed in her

How others have believed in her

Frances has struggled with physical and mental health struggles for much of her life. She shared her story of how others have believed in her, leading to her using her vast experience now to provide mutual support to others in similar situations.

Chix: The constant challenge of ‘scientist vs artist’ within him

The constant challenge of ‘scientist vs artist’ within him

Chix, who is a primary school teacher, talked about the constant challenge of ‘scientist vs artist’ within him, and how that has played a part in leading him through stressful and anxious times.

Joe: A passion for life after suffering from an anxiety disorder

A passion for life after suffering from an anxiety disorder

Joe was faced with a constantly changing upbringing and challenges very close to home, which lead to a severe anxiety disorder during his teenage years and into his twenties. But with the right support and inner strength, he has found meaning and a passion for life. He now understands his emotions and is excited about future opportunities, using the anxiety as a force for good rather than seeing it as a hindrance.

Lucy: Recovering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Recovering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

About 4 years ago, Lucy found herself with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Through sheer determination and a refusal to accept that CFS could be a life-long condition, Lucy pieced together a path to recovery. While the journey has thrown up some surprises, she believes that the things she has learned have made her stronger, and better.

Eric: Experience of education having attended a grammar school while living on a council estate.  

Experience of education having attended a grammar school while living on a council estate.  

Eric trained as a teacher and social worker and spent many years working with disaffected young people. He shared about the impact of his own experience of education having attended a grammar school while living on a council estate.

Rachel & Asma: Friendship, seeking asylum and setting up a Bake Club

Friendship, seeking asylum and setting up a Bake Club

Rachel and Asma shared about how they met and their friendship. Asma shared a little of her journey which led to seeking asylum in the UK and Rachel talked about her journey of finding opportunities to meet with and learn from women seeking asylum in Southampton. Together they have started a community Bake Club.

Steve: Overcoming loss of hearing

Overcoming loss of hearing

Steve has had various health issues since he was 11 years of age, including hearing loss, which has caused many problems. From his experiences he has found a new road to journey, which he hopes will help others

Juanrie: Living with a physical disability

Living with a physical disability

Juanrie talked about the challenges and achievements of living with a physical disability.

Nazneen: Changing appearances and becoming herself again

Changing appearances and becoming herself again

Nazneen is a writer and researcher who lives in Southampton. She spoke about having a life and appearance-altering condition, and how it helped her reevaluate her own perception of beauty and redefined her identity.

Seb: Inner resilience and appearing successful

Inner resilience and appearing successful

Seb shared some of the personal challenges he has faced whilst being an emerging and outwardly successful social entrepreneur, and through this has learnt inner resilience.

Rosie: Learning to live with anxiety

Learning to live with anxiety

Rosie told her story about overcoming, being a capable woman, and learning to live with anxiety.

Dan: Finding his own voice

Finding his own voice

Dan talked about learning to be brave and how as a singer-songwriter he learned to stop hiding behind others and found a new voice (at a ripe old age).

Anna: Living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Anna shared her story on the issues of dealing with Irritable Bowel Syndrome in daily life and the struggle of anxiety from family bereavement. Through this she explained that despite the lows and anxiousness she learnt the power of choice and that you can control your own life and how that has led her to making powerful and freeing decisions.

James: Moving forwards from addiction

Moving forwards from addiction

James talked about surviving addiction and building a life he never thought possible.

Clayton: Overcoming alcoholism

Overcoming alcoholism

Clayton shared his experiences of an ascent into alcoholism, and how he moved through this to where he is today.

Sam: Building a community of inclusion, support and trust

Building a community of inclusion, support and trust

When Sam was a child, he felt like he didn’t, and couldn’t, fit in. Whilst that was hard and often painful, he believes that he gained a great deal from his outsider status. We heard about his journey as an adult from feeling like an inevitable outsider to actively building a community of inclusion, support and trust.

Stacey: Living with a partner having bowel cancer

Living with a partner having bowel cancer

Stacey told us of the journey she has undertaken since last December, when her partner and father to their two children was diagnosed with Stage V bowel cancer. She talked about how learning to be truly vulnerable, and writing about this openly in different forums, has helped her survive an immensely difficult period of her life.

Lucy: Overcoming PND with the support of choir family

Overcoming PND with the support of choir family

Lucy talked about her journey of overcoming Postnatal Depression and the joy she gets from singing with Love Soul Choir.  She talked about the obstacles she faced and still faces on a daily basis, and how she has learnt to manage them, whilst still having a hunger for happiness and gratitude for the life she has now.

Dominic: Relationship with parents

Relationship with parents

Dominic spoke about how he chose to abandon his mum as an 11 year old boy, and how he found a way to re-connect with her through writing a book about their relationship and what he loved about her.

Aisling: Overcoming multiple challenges

Overcoming multiple challenges

Aisling has had to face many complex but exciting challenges compared to the average 21 year old. Aisling talked about her amazing life journey, including the many adventures and amusing aspects of her life, alongside the process of learning how to learn to deal with the psychological, physical, social and amusing issues that cerebral palsy brings.

Anna: Taking control of her own life

Taking control of her own life

Anna shared her story on the issues of dealing with Irritable Bowel Syndrome in daily life and the struggle of anxiety from family bereavement. Through this she explained that despite the lows and anxiousness she learnt the power of choice and that you can control your own life and how that has lead her to making powerful and freeing decisions.

Liz : Moving forward from domestic abuse

Moving forward from domestic abuse

Liz talked a little about her experience of domestic abuse, but more so, on how she is turning her life around and moving forward. She focussed on her recovery journey including walking on hot coals and a doing a wing walk to raise money for the charity that helped her.

Gill: Leading a fulfilling life with no children

Leading a fulfilling life with no children

Gill shared something of her journey of coming to terms with not having children, coming through her grief and the realisation that it is possible to lead a fulfilling life without children.

Terry: Fighting resources to deal with challenges

Fighting resources to deal with challenges

Terry told his story of how a privileged life came unstuck and how he learnt and is still learning to deal with financial, emotional, psychological and physical strains. On the surface it might appear one way, but underneath there are still dark areas, questions and concerns. Terry reflected on how he has learnt to draw on his resources and continues to fight challenges.

Debs: Living life to the full with her depression

Living life to the full with her depression

Debs spoke about her recent admission to hospital for depression. She focussed on the highs and lows of the experience, as well as what she is learning about herself as she lives life as a working mum of one (with another on the way!), develops Touch Network and manages ongoing depression.

Jen: Emotional eating to freedon

Emotional eating to freedon

Jen shared her story of struggling with emotional eating, to finding freedom with food. Now a Clinical Psychologist, she loves nothing more than to inspire and support others who are struggling, to do the same.

Simon: Advantages of Dyslexia

Advantages of Dyslexia

Simon talked to us about his experience of dyslexia and how it impacted on him as he was growing up He told us about how he coped with the challenges that arose and what was helpful to him at that time and how he uses his dyslexia to full advantage.

Dominic: Relationship with parents

Relationship with parents

Dominic spoke about how he chose to abandon his mum as an 11 year old boy, and how he found a way to re-connect with her through writing a book about their relationship and what he loved about her.

Annette: Silver linings

Silver linings

Annette talked about her route to becoming a bakery owner. It all started in north Wales with a baby that her sister wished had been a bike. It has ended in a bakery in Burgess Road, and en route has meandered through the peaks and troughs of universities in Leeds and Germany, accountancy, breast cancer and serving the students of Southampton.

Ben: Recovery from mental breakdown

Recovery from mental breakdown

Ben was sectioned at Antelope House in 2013, after a mental breakdown, eventually being diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Ben talked about his breakdown, having to quit his work and the long road to recovery – including finding new meaning and passions in the aftermath of his diagnosis.

Rebecca: Road to self employment

Road to self employment

Rebecca shared about her journey to self employment and how this has helped her carve out her own identity. Being employed by others and working in their structures felt like being crushed, whereas carving a more unique way led to greater personal fulfilment for Rebecca.

Hannah: Re starting life and finding a new path

Re starting life and finding a new path

Hannah told us about being a former professional dancer whose safe place used to be the stage. In her new life, she faces all the problems anyone going through a transition would. She shared her insight into positivity, change and what really matters.

James: Think global act local - what can we do to change the world?

Think global act local - what can we do to change the world?

James’ day job is to review environmental impacts such as climate change, deforestation and species extinction, and how they may be unpicking the fabric of Earth’s life support systems. It’s not always easy to keep a positive outlook. In fact at times he found that he was experiencing feelings of loss and sadness. And powerlessness. So he decided to do something about that by heeding the trusty adage “think global, act local”.

Paul: Relationship with parents / bereavement

Relationship with parents / bereavement

Paul told us how his Dad died two years ago, at the age of 88. Paul told the story of what it was like growing up with his Dad, he shares the learning he gained from a father who was highly esteemed and respected but often remote. Paul described how his relationship with his Dad changed at the end of his life as Paul helped him to be at peace in his last weeks.

Kate: Hope / Family / Indepedence and dependence

Hope / Family / Indepedence and dependence

Kate told us about how Epilepsy, a long term health condition, has affected her, especially over recent years. Kate told us about what she has learnt through her illness including what independence and dependence really mean, the importance of family, and how hope has helped her through

Hannah: Self Care / Kindness / Insecurity

Self Care / Kindness / Insecurity

Hannah shared her journey from childhood insecurity to unsuspecting adulthood and explored what she has learnt about the importance of kindness, self care and choosing joy. In the midst of challenging times she asks the question how are we able to thrive and not just survive?

Dave: Challenging self

Challenging self

Dave asked the question ‘ever felt like life is slipping away from you?’ Dave talked about how he is using a landmark birthday to challenge himself and recapture some joie de vivre.

Sam: Highs and lows of a mental health diagnosis

Highs and lows of a mental health diagnosis

Sam talked about the highs of being sectioned in the Department of Psychiatry, to the lows of unemployment and coming to terms with a mental health diagnosis, and then to sorting things out (hopefully) and making the most of all the experiences gained along the way

Louise: Turning trauma into victory

Turning trauma into victory

Louise told us about her journey of self discovery, exploring concepts of identity, belonging and family. She was born in Rwanda and left in 1993 just before the genocide, where she and her brother were adopted by a French couple. 20 years later she took her first trip back, which opened up a lot of questions and challenges, fuelled by a deep need to find inner emotional peace. Since then, she’s had the opportunity to carry the Rwandan flag at Commonwealth Day, have breakfast at the President of Rwanda’s Office, do an internship with the First Lady – and above all turn trauma into victory and reclaim a great sense of pride for her home country, Rwanda

Mark: Managing to overcome the fear of rejection

Managing to overcome the fear of rejection

Mark shared his story of paternal rejection in early childhood. He says that the desire for acceptance and learning to trust people remain a lifelong challenge. Mark’s story is remarkable because he appears confident and successful. He has been the Chair and Director of global organisations and currently runs three companies. His story showed how the fear of rejection remains an ever present threat that he has, in part, learnt to manage and overcome.

Debs: Living with depression and looking after a young baby

Living with depression and looking after a young baby

Debs shared her story of being a Mum yet experiencing an ongoing struggle with depression. She has spent a lot of time in hospital over the years, but this was her first time living in a Mother and Baby Unit in Winchester for two months. Her story talked about what it’s like to have depression and continue to love and look after a 10 month old and how her daughter, friends, family and the team at the hospital have helped her to come through.

Debs: Recovering from depression

Recovering from depression

Debs, founder of Touch Network, spoke a little about her personal story of recovering from severe depression, what life looks like now, and why she founded touch network.

Adele: Moving her business to Bournemouth

Moving her business to Bournemouth

Adele told us about her move from London to Bournemouth in 2014. Full-time conventional work had never really suited Adele so in Spring 2015 she took a huge entrepreneurial leap and launched her first business Big Love from Ltd designing greetings cards and gifts. The results have been pretty huge on a personal and professional level.

Sandra: Personal and business journey from South America to Bournemouth

Personal and business journey from South America to Bournemouth

Sandra, from our lovely hosts at Platform 19, chatted to us about her business journey of amalgamating dreams and ambitions in order to create a memorable and pleasurable place to visit and dine.

Michael: Rejection & finding meaning in life

Rejection & finding meaning in life

Michael told us about the way his parents offered an open home to many which provided a rich but challenging upbringing. Rejection, broken relationships and a search for deeper meaning and identity, have led Michael to a place of realisation and greater awareness of himself and others.  Ultimately his lifelong journey of self-emptying and reliance on something beyond himself and a desire to reconnect others to the source of love and goodness in the universe, is currently lived out through growing vegetables!

Debs: Introducing Touch

Introducing Touch

Debs, founder of Touch, gave a little context of Touch and what the evening is all about.

Emily & Sean: Life during a PhD

Life during a PhD

Emily and Sean talked about life during a PhD and the personal challenges they have overcome through this, including planning a wedding and moving house.

Clare: Overcoming MH struggles and how PhD is part of life

Overcoming MH struggles and how PhD is part of life

Clare chatted with us about overcoming mental health struggles before studying towards her PhD and how her PhD formed part of her journey of setting up a social enterprise called Embodied.

Jessica: Suprise learning from PhD

Suprise learning from PhD

Jessica talked to us about the unexpected and surprise learning that resulted from studying towards her PhD, such as finding techniques to deal with the loneliness of study.

Thomas: Linking self to work and learning

Linking self to work and learning

Thomas talked about his work as an NHS clinical psychologist and researcher links to his own mental health problems. Does he practice what he preaches? Is there something to be said for ‘you don’t have to be crazy to work here but it helps’?

Debs: Format and context of the evening

Format and context of the evening

Debs, founder of Touch Network, told us why she founded Touch Network and the context of the evening

Ann: Freedom from abuse, debt and mental health difficulties

Freedom from abuse, debt and mental health difficulties

Ann shared some of her journey of finding freedom from abuse, debt and mental health difficulties, and how she now empowers others with her business ‘red dot shopping’.

Sarah: Overcoming the trauma of sudden grief

Overcoming the trauma of sudden grief

Sarah spoke about overcoming the trauma of sudden grief and the importance of looking after yourself through life’s trials.

Laura: Poem reflections on womanhood

Poem reflections on womanhood

Laura shared her poem expressing reflections on womanhood inspired by International Women’s Day.

Tammy: Understanding her vulnerabilities

Understanding her vulnerabilities

Tammy shared with us something of her journey towards understanding her vulnerabilities.

Maggie: Role models in her life

Role models in her life

Maggie told us about the importance of role models in her life and how she has tried to be a role model to others.

Debs: Recovering from depression

Recovering from depression

Debs, founder of Touch Network, spoke a little about her personal story of recovering from severe depression, what life looks like now, and why she founded Touch Network.

Suzanne: Rejecting social norms

Rejecting social norms

Suzanne told us about her experience of wanting to be herself outside of conforming restraints of comparison and social norms.

Jen: Emotional eating to freedom

Emotional eating to freedom

Jen shared her story of struggling with diabetes and emotional eating, to finding freedom around food. Now a Clinical Psychologist, she loves nothing more than to inspire and support others to do the same

Andrea: Waiting for your dream

Waiting for your dream

Andrea spoke a little about how the Songbird (our lovely venue for the evening) came to be after 18 years of first having an idea/dream and how it’s been a part of Andrea’s journey of finding her voice