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Residents
writings
On this page you will find two moving accounts
written by women who have been tenants in
permanent accommodation in our Floating Support
Scheme. They write about the importance of having
somewhere secure to live and when support is also
included, how much of a difference that can make.
Paula
Jackie
Paula
Moving
into a Missing Link shared house was a huge step
for me. I can't quite understand why my diary
skips the whole period of me moving. It goes from
April 12th 96 to May 16th 96. I actually moved in
on 2nd May96. I know I did because every new
resident signs a contract, which is dated. It's
worth keeping in a drawer safe under the bed as I
do, in case you want to check it wasn't 'just
a nice dream that you did actually join Missing
Link one day.'
Memorable experiences No 1 - moving in.
Wed 24thJuly 96 - getting photographed, with
house for Missing Link's annual report. A huge
boost to my self esteem as I'd always wanted to
be "famous". Especially as I was going
through a tough time - it reminded me that
Missing Link, through its regular news and
letters and the annual report is a way of
reaching out to helping its residents who may
often feel like isolating.
During the summer, my keyworker encouraged me to
go to tennis lessons I had booked. I remember my
horror on settling into St Lukes, to discover a
set of cookery books. The kitchen was my worst
nightmare to deal with, as I have an eating
disorder. Now though, I have a full, overflowing
storecupboard; use fully the wide range of pots
and pans supplied and a few of my own cookery
books which I'm highly proud of. I still haven't
used the ones which were here as I'm vegetarian
(and they're not!), but I think it's a good thing
they were there, because I needed a kick start. I
think cooking or eating properly is hard when
you're depressed or stressed. But again Missing
Link was encouraging to me. I also found support
for planning meals, a budget (definitely useful)
and also for shopping trips. There's nothing I
can't ask for help with, though I was afraid to
at first.
In conclusion, Missing Link for me is
about:building a new life;recognising my
achievements; discovering my identity - who I am,
what I like (and of course don't like!). It's
also given me the chance to try out things
without making a lifelong committment, and in
groups especially, I've made new friends and
learnt new skills, and how to share my ideas and
to express my self in a "safe"
environment.
Jackie
I first heard about Missing Link when I was in
hospital. I had been living in London teaching
English as a Foreign Language, after a wild
weekend which started me on a cycle of not
sleeping. My world slid sideways and I began to
have strange thoughts. I was put on a train by my
best friend to Bristol, back to my family, back
to my birth place. I arrived at night in a
distressed state talking about the end of the
world and my worried family took me to a doctor
who referred me to Southmead Hospital where I
remained for 5 months under section. I had never
had any contact with the mental health services
previously, so it was all a bit of a shock.
Whilst in hospital, my rented flat in Kilburn had
to be given up because my parents couldn't pay
the rent. They made a decision in my absence of
giving up the flat and arranging for my two best
friends to pack up all my belongings and
transport them down to Bristol. - making me in
effect homeless and in hospital. With the help of
my social worker, I approached Missing Link - I
didn't feel that a hostel was right for me as in
London I had spent many years sharing with other
people and had now a much greater need of my own
space. I was very lucky because a place came up
for me on the Floating Support Scheme in Clifton,
the very place I'd specified I wanted to live. As
soon as I saw my one-bedroom flat, I knew it was
right for me. It needs decorationg and
furnishing, and Missing Link gave me advice and
support to help me to do this.
I now live in a lovely comfortably furnished one
bedroom flat and I can honestly say that it is a
major factor in keeping me sane. Moving from
London, I felt initially very isolated despite
the presence of my family nearby. Missing Link
provided me with a Resettlement Worker who
visited me twice a week and helped fill the gap
left by my absent friends and encouraged me to
organise a new life.
It
was hard going at first. I felt very lonely and
missed my friends in London, but was glad to have
events arranged by Missing Link such as the
Christmas party and the trip to the pantomime.
Through one of the writing groups I made my first
proper friend, Claire, from Missing Link and was
able to go and visit her as she lives quite
nearby in another Floating support scheme flat.
Cheryl, my worker encouraged me to get a
prospectus for part-time courses and last
september I enrolled in a number of evening
classes. Although I don't always attend all my
classes, I have made new friends through them and
now feel more settled in Bristol.
The on-going support of Missing Link is
comforting and there is no pressure to attend the
drop-in or events organised, but they are there
if you want them. Events I have enjoyed include a
trip to Weymouth; rounders on the Downs, and the
recent events organised for International Women's
Day. This included an art group; a singing group;
a Tai Chi and healthy eating group; ten pin
bowling and aromatherapy. Because my life is much
fuller now even though I don't work at present,
and I only see my worker once a month, Missing
Link is always there if I need them.
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