Survive
From a User's View
I
am writing to tell you how I have found Survive and how it has helped
me. I started coming to Survive about two years ago after a long
stay in Bootham Hospital. I knew I needed help to sort my abuse issues
out, and while mental health services have helped me in some respects,
I knew I needed more than they could offer me.
So I started seeing a counsellor. At
first it was really hard to talk to her about anything, but as I built
up trust with her I started talking to her about the abuse. What amazed
me, and still does, was there was a person who believed what I was
telling her, and believed in me. I wasn’t used to this at all.
At the same time I started using the
Frontline Service for additional support. It was a relief to talk to
people about how I really felt, and to know that they understood.
A year ago this April the
organization was taken over by new staff. I must admit it was a very
painful time for me. I lost my counsellor, the first person I’d really
trusted. I knew I was staying on, and that I would be seen by one of
the new people but I still found it incredibly painful. Also the
Frontline Service completely changed staff. So I felt really unsettled
for a good three months while I got to know the new staff and their way
of doing things.
I think Survive has changed a lot
over the time I’ve been using the service. I feel it’s a really good
service now. I feel I’m seen as a person, and not just a problem
to be solved as quickly as possible and shoved out the door. I’m given
the time to deal with stuff in a safe environment. I can honestly say I
don’t know where I would be now if I hadn’t come to Survive. I think
I’m more stable than I was because I’ve got people who do listen to me.
Thank you to Survive for giving me
the time and space to sort my issues out!
A
Service User
“My counsellor has
helped me to make sense of the world, to understand my thoughts and
feelings.
She’s also
taught me to laugh!”
|