May - June 2018
The Start: I had an idea...a small one...you know the type of thought. Oh I wonder if I could...or wouldn’t it be good if I... Well my thought was.... I keep meeting people outside of my day job who could really do with some mental wellbeing support. People who do not necessarily have a mental health diagnosis. People who may well not even realise they are totally stressed out and living with anxious thoughts and feelings or low mood. I could offer them that support... and so #NOLABELS as an idea/concept was born!
Next Steps: I am a sucker for rules so I registered as an Independant Occupational Therapist with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. Registered as self employed with the HMRC. Had a terrifying appointment with an accountant (I do not do numbers) and went and sat in a cafe to see if anyone would come and chat to me.
Well lets just say that I was not over run with people wanting to talk to me about their mental wellbeing or do a craft activity with me. This suited me. I was already having doubts I could offer anything. My self critical and anxious thoughts were being brilliantly efficient at suggesting this was all a stupid idea, would fail totally and I should just give up.
Well I didn’t listen (ok I listened a bit) however I kept going. #NOLABELS now has meetings set up in Witney, Lechlade, Cirencester and Stroud once a month. The numbers are low however they are running. I worked out Facebook, Instagram and Eventbrite to advertise and promote #NOLABELS and sell tickets for the meetings. This did take me a while as it appears I am ancient in the world of technology and social media!
I regularly post on Facebook and Instagram now with little suggestions and information about supporting mental wellbeing. I have had some lovely feedback from people who say that this has really helped them. That the suggestions made have supported a more positive mental wellbeing and improved mood. Which is great!
#NOLABELS will continue to grow and evolve. It has a number of future ventures lined up. Which I can’t wait to share with you.
Nikky