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go: [ Carers Council - HOME / Committee page / Committee Members Contributions ] |
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Why I became a Committee Member
 by Elsie James I have been a committee member since Judith Machin founded the Carers Council - Allies in Adult Mental Health. So why did I join? I had gone through a bad time, first my eldest son had a Mental Breakdown, then I was told he was Manic Depressive. I was a Supervisor at a small night wear factory, my son was becoming a 'resolving door' patient in and out of hospital, my boss was not a bit understanding of my problems, all he thought of was his business. Life started to become stressful both at home and work, I finally had to give up work at the age of 54, due to stress, anxiety and depression. Problems were building up in the family, it was affecting my youngest son, I became isolated in the house all day, my friends no longer kept in contact with me and I was unable to travel on a bus alone. I heard of Judith’s meeting so I went along with my husband too. They were setting up the committee, my husband asked if I would like to join, I think he thought it would get me out of the house and get me involved in something I was interested in. I said I would give it a try, not sure of what they expected of me, couldI cope with it, still feeling ill and not able to travel alone on the bus, I didn’t drive, I wasn’t sure how I would cope with it all. To my surprise I have, I was very nervous, not having a good education, simply because I showed no interest in school. I went along to the meetings, I just sat watched and listened to what was being said. I suddenly realised, I was very well armed when it comes to mental health and its problems, as I had always been interested in this subject and very sympathetic to those who suffer with this disability. I started to have my say at meetings I attended, I became more confident in what I both said and did, I lost my fear of travelling on the busses, did a lot of work with the Joint Commissioning Group who became the Local Implementation Team. I met some very nice people who made me feel comfortable at meetings, this all helped me to cope with my sons' illness. I had found a life I enjoyed, met with other sufferers of this illness who accepted me as a carer, worked with a sufferer on some meetings. I have made some good connections with staff at the Health Authority. I now work with the Trust and have made some good connections there also. Becoming a Committee Member has been the best thing I have done, it has made me confident, I have a better morale; I feel I have overcome a lot of my fears and enjoyed meeting all those involved in Mental Health, both carers and professionals. We need more Committee Members, so please take a thought and consider, would this help you to cope with life? Would you like to know more about how the Trust works? Find out more of what is happening in the service? If so come along and join us, we will make you most welcome.
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