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Best Of
Re: 📆This Week's Schedule w/c 21.04
shannon_164 wrote: »is the thread happening today? thank you
its friday today and it’s happening tmr.
eylah
1
Re: Im actually so dumb
Hey @Redemption
Firstly I just want to say that you are far from dumb, anxiety of any sort is tricky to navigate so I think you did amazingly well to go to the McDonald’s drive through
The drive through are very busy usually and staff are usually scanning orders and can forget things, if you feel able to next time let them know that they forgot a part of your order than that is more than okay to do, also as well often getting a receipt can be handy so you can hand it to them and then you can know for certain 💕
Whilst I’m not caught up with all the click and collect systems I just want to acknowledge that I hear you
It sounds like the experiences were stressful so I was wondering what can you do to relax this afternoon
Firstly I just want to say that you are far from dumb, anxiety of any sort is tricky to navigate so I think you did amazingly well to go to the McDonald’s drive through
The drive through are very busy usually and staff are usually scanning orders and can forget things, if you feel able to next time let them know that they forgot a part of your order than that is more than okay to do, also as well often getting a receipt can be handy so you can hand it to them and then you can know for certain 💕
Whilst I’m not caught up with all the click and collect systems I just want to acknowledge that I hear you
It sounds like the experiences were stressful so I was wondering what can you do to relax this afternoon
Rose113
1
Re: TW// Stepping away for a bit to prevent issues
Hey @Rose113,
I just wanted to check in with you. It sounds like things are feeling heavy for you at the moment and you are carrying a lot, I am hearing this could feel incredibly tough. We're here to sit with you and listen to these feelings - they are so valid. Thank you for letting us know and sharing with us how things are for you at the moment. I hear your want to take a step back from the boards, which we want to empower you to do, if you feel it is needed to take care of yourself.
I do just want to share that you do matter to us, and we are all here to listen and support you. You certainly don't have a negative effect everywhere you go, although I'm hearing this feels true to you at the moment. You don't have to deal with things alone, and you have been so brave in sharing with the community so far, and I want to encourage you to continue to do so, if you feel you need support, because we will always be here to listen. You're feeling are valid and you are deserving of all the support you may need.
How are you feeling about things now? This Mix is here to support you and we have dropped you a DM to check in, if you wish to continue a conversation in there.
Take care.
I just wanted to check in with you. It sounds like things are feeling heavy for you at the moment and you are carrying a lot, I am hearing this could feel incredibly tough. We're here to sit with you and listen to these feelings - they are so valid. Thank you for letting us know and sharing with us how things are for you at the moment. I hear your want to take a step back from the boards, which we want to empower you to do, if you feel it is needed to take care of yourself.
I do just want to share that you do matter to us, and we are all here to listen and support you. You certainly don't have a negative effect everywhere you go, although I'm hearing this feels true to you at the moment. You don't have to deal with things alone, and you have been so brave in sharing with the community so far, and I want to encourage you to continue to do so, if you feel you need support, because we will always be here to listen. You're feeling are valid and you are deserving of all the support you may need.
How are you feeling about things now? This Mix is here to support you and we have dropped you a DM to check in, if you wish to continue a conversation in there.
Take care.
Lily
1
Re: How would I go about doing this?
Hey @mikey_boi , thank you so much for this post and for opening up about this. Coping with mood switches sounds really draining, and you're doing so well to be reaching out for help. I wonder, how do you imagine your dad might react if you were to ask him about this? What do you really want him to know and understand about what you're going through?
Sometimes when we're trying to approach a conversation that feels high-stakes, it can be helpful to write our thoughts down so that we have something to refer to if we feel overwhelmed at any point. In an ideal world, what would you like that conversation with your dad to look like, e.g. face to face, via the phone / text, talking 1:1 or with your partner there too?
We're here with you to listen and in the meantime please find below some services which may be able to support you:
How do those options sound for you?
Sometimes when we're trying to approach a conversation that feels high-stakes, it can be helpful to write our thoughts down so that we have something to refer to if we feel overwhelmed at any point. In an ideal world, what would you like that conversation with your dad to look like, e.g. face to face, via the phone / text, talking 1:1 or with your partner there too?
We're here with you to listen and in the meantime please find below some services which may be able to support you:
One option is Bipolar UK which is dedicated to empowering individuals and families affected by bipolar. They have a range of peer support groups which are currently operating via Zoom, a moderated online community, one-to-one peer support provided via telephone and email and a range of information and resources on their website at https://www.bipolaruk.org/ You can arrange a call from a trained volunteer on their website, selecting a date and time that works for you.
If you're in Northern Irelvnd - Aware is a charity supporting people in Northern Ireland with depression and bipolar disorder. They have support groups across the country which are run by trained volunteers. Their peer led support can help you to understand your illness, allow you to speak freely about how you are feeling and allow you to feel less alone. They also offer the support groups online. They have wellbeing programmes including one aimed at 14-18 year olds to help you maintain good mental health and build resilience. Their website is https://aware-ni.org/
Spark is an online support group where members can connect in with others about their mental health. This includes depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, EUPD, anything - Spark is there for you. The support group involves peer-support, so you can support other people as well as be supported yourself. The group is a “closed” Facebook group – meaning that it doesn’t show on your profile at all, and no-one outside the group can see anything you post – they can’t even see that you’re a member from your profile. The page is also monitored and has guidelines there to keep you safe. To find out more, their website is https://www.sparksupport.co.uk/
There is an organisation called Mood Swings Network which provides information, advice and support for people whose lives are affected by mood disorders or emotional distress. They also offer support for carers of people with mood disorders. You can contact their helpline Monday to Friday 10am-4pm. Their number is 0161 832 3736. You can also visit their website at www.moodswings.org.uk or send them an email at info@moodswings.org.uk.
If you're in Northern Irelvnd - Aware is a charity supporting people in Northern Ireland with depression and bipolar disorder. They have support groups across the country which are run by trained volunteers. Their peer led support can help you to understand your illness, allow you to speak freely about how you are feeling and allow you to feel less alone. They also offer the support groups online. They have wellbeing programmes including one aimed at 14-18 year olds to help you maintain good mental health and build resilience. Their website is https://aware-ni.org/
Spark is an online support group where members can connect in with others about their mental health. This includes depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, EUPD, anything - Spark is there for you. The support group involves peer-support, so you can support other people as well as be supported yourself. The group is a “closed” Facebook group – meaning that it doesn’t show on your profile at all, and no-one outside the group can see anything you post – they can’t even see that you’re a member from your profile. The page is also monitored and has guidelines there to keep you safe. To find out more, their website is https://www.sparksupport.co.uk/
There is an organisation called Mood Swings Network which provides information, advice and support for people whose lives are affected by mood disorders or emotional distress. They also offer support for carers of people with mood disorders. You can contact their helpline Monday to Friday 10am-4pm. Their number is 0161 832 3736. You can also visit their website at www.moodswings.org.uk or send them an email at info@moodswings.org.uk.
How do those options sound for you?
Sian321
1
Re: 📢Chats Closed 23.04
I hear you @independent_ It is tough when our schedule changes and we have to do last-minute cancellations. We appreciate that if our community members are planning on coming to a chat, it might feel quite disruptive when we then announce we have to close.independent_ wrote: »Thank you @Katie
The schedule is very useful, and you’re right it is less cluttered than posting a thread every day. There are so many pinned in whats new at the moment and it’s good that the schedule is usually only one thread. I think what I meant was it’s tough when it does change.
Whilst we are experiencing these chat cancellations, to help meet the needs of our Community we have been putting on support threads every Saturday&Sunday, as well as some fun quizzes coming up in May. And as you know our discussion boards are also open 24/7. I know these aren't the same as our group chats but hopefully you folks do find these alternative spaces useful.
How you're feeling is really valid and it is tough when things change - you're right. We do massively appreciate your patience and for continuing to show up for our Community.
No worries at all @Redemption it's actually really helpful for us to hear your thoughts and for you to be truthful with us about how much it is impacting you.Redemption wrote: »Morning @Katie hope you're having all good day down there. I just hope nothing from the comments here comes off negatively, I still love the community so much and always will no matter what. Myself and I'm sure everyone appreciates all the efforts to get thing's more reliable. Also it's great most if not all feedback is being looked at like some other communities would maybe be like if you don't like it then leave, here is different. I think the chat schedule is the best way to go, shows us what chats are happening in advanced which is great. Hopefully the moderator team will be all built up soon, do you know approximately maybe when it will be built up and when things can start becoming more reliable, next few months or weeks etc? You might not know but just thought if you do it would be good to have an idea. Cheers Katie.
We've been advertising our chat mod role for at least a month now and we do have applicants slowly coming in. Unfortunately it is taking a little longer than we expected but rest assured the ones who have applied and are suitable for the role are being trained up as we speak! We're unable to give a time-frame which I appreciate is pretty frustrating, but it is one of our biggest priorities right now and we are in discussions about it every day.
This is a really useful discussion and we're here if you want to share your thoughts further or if anyone else has something to share! Equally, if anyone would like to speak to us about this in private you can pop @TheMix a DM or send us an email at community@themix.org.uk. And for an anonymous option you can fill out our feedback form here https://bit.ly/TheMixFeedbackForm
Katie
3
Re: Is this classed as neurodivegent or no
@Lucy_21 I believe the term ND is always changing because there isn't a simple answer
Because in social care and educational settings ND and SEND are the same thing
Because in social care and educational settings ND and SEND are the same thing
BensonE
1
Re: 📆This Week's Schedule w/c 21.04
Hey @Invisible_me, we don't typically run chats or threads on Mondays at the moment but our boards are open if you'd like to post on hereInvisible_me wrote: »Is nothing running today time when people may need it more?,
Katie
2
Re: Living with Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome
@MorgsSmiles24
Thank you for opening up, chronic illnesses are things that aren't often spoken enough about, especially when they aren't visible so can be misunderstood in a lot of cases - they can impact people differently and it sounds like yours really can impact you every day and make a lot of things trickier and more exhausting than you want them to be. I hear how frustrating or upsetting that could be for you feeling so exhausted all of the time, despite your attempts to make life easier for yourself. You're doing so well to be powering on and trying to adapt your life around this. You said you had symptoms long before you were given the official diagnosis, how did it feel to finally put an official label to what you had been going through for so long?
It sounds super positive to be so self-aware of what your body is telling you and that this can change day to day, and I speak for us all when we say we're happy you've had positive experiences here at The Mix and we are glad to continue to offer you the support and connection you might want at the moment!
Thank you for opening up, chronic illnesses are things that aren't often spoken enough about, especially when they aren't visible so can be misunderstood in a lot of cases - they can impact people differently and it sounds like yours really can impact you every day and make a lot of things trickier and more exhausting than you want them to be. I hear how frustrating or upsetting that could be for you feeling so exhausted all of the time, despite your attempts to make life easier for yourself. You're doing so well to be powering on and trying to adapt your life around this. You said you had symptoms long before you were given the official diagnosis, how did it feel to finally put an official label to what you had been going through for so long?
It sounds super positive to be so self-aware of what your body is telling you and that this can change day to day, and I speak for us all when we say we're happy you've had positive experiences here at The Mix and we are glad to continue to offer you the support and connection you might want at the moment!
Leyla
1
Re: Living with Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome
That sounds really tough, but you're doing amazing just by pushing through each day. It’s great that you still volunteer and look for work, even with everything going on. I’m glad the Mix community helps you're not alone in this.
Re: Recruitment agencies
Redemption wrote: »Has anyone used recruitment agencies here? I'm thinking about contacting them too see if they can help me. Cheers guys
When I had my seasonal job with Whsmith's, initially I thought I was going to be hired by Whsmith's themselves. But my details were passed onto a recruitment agency and I had to attend a teams call for my start date and things. I found when I worked with Whsmiths they didnt know anything about me being recruited by an agency at all to the point where my manager didnt even know either. So mostly I do a lot of background research into them because you do fill out a bit of paperwork in the beginning. I know though when I did start my seasonal job, the recruitment agency were helpful and made sure that everything went well in my job, despite there being a lot of confusion in the beginning.
I know for people who are searching for work they can be a great of going about it because they will help you to look for work and also make sure you are getting the right amount of training. What I will say is eventhough I worked seasonal, when you are with a recruitment agency sometimes you will have to fill out your own time sheet, so clocking down how many hours you worked on your shift which then confirms your pay basically. I found reminding myself to fill in my timesheet was hard at first because normally in some jobs that dont hire via a recruiting agency, they will automatically fill out your timesheet for you. But with an agency you do the paperwork pretty much yourself, though if you do get stuck you can contact them for support or help. I used to summit my timesheet the day after I did my shift so it was less stress sorting things out.
I mean its definitely up to you really because I know recruitment agencies can be helpful and sometimes when working in retail especially seasonal work the companies will often take on recruitment agency staff. It can be good sometimes in some interviews especially for retail to ask "will I be recruited by the company themselves, or will a recruitment agency take me on and put me on placement here?" because it can make things a bit more easier in the long run.
However, I wish you the best for your job hunting right now and I hope you are able to find something soon too
. 
Amy22
1