Members’ Stories vividly show the value of the service that we provide. Here is a selection (Member’s names have been changed to preserve anonymity);
|
“Coming to Harmony means I am not sitting at home staring at the same four walls – It gets me out. I get support and the best thing is the other people who understand what is going on for me” - Sonia “I started volunteering with Harmony when I was coming up to retirement. I became a volunteer was because I wanted to be helpful and of service to the community. I found that a visitor couldn’t tell who was a member of staff or volunteer and who was using the service for support. There's no ‘Them & Us’. People feel comfortable, and able to talk with each other and not always about their problems. At first, I didn’t think I had any talents or skills to offer, but now I run a meditation group and bring music and dance into the group! What makes Harmony special is the friendliness and being able to communicate what is happening in our lives. There are never bad feelings and always a good atmosphere. Harmony encourage to do something for someone else.” - Anna |
“When I first came to Harmony over two years ago, I was exhausted from long years of caring for others. I immediately felt at home among fellow travellers in this sometimes very painful world. Harmony has changed my life in countless ways . I am getting better at setting boundaries and being assertive; now I realise that my own needs are just as important as those of other people. I am enjoying using my talents and in ways that don’t drain me. I have learnt many invaluable skills – especially mindfulness and relaxation – that I will be able to use for the rest of my life. Our facilitators and volunteers are there for a private chat if you need it – and their sensitivity, empathy and expertise works unseen miracles. Our group is learning to enjoy ourselves again – laughter, music, art and dancing are very therapeutic – and fun! Thank you Harmony.”” - Marie “I am so grateful for the support I got in attending GP and DWP benefit meetings – it made all the difference.” - Chris |
“Harmony helps me manage my anxiety and panic attacks. It's a supportive place and the food is good! It is somewhere good to come when I'm on my own.” - Jay
"When I first came to Harmony over two years ago, I was exhausted from long years of caring for others.
I was drained beyond anything I have ever felt before and was utterly burned out. All through my life my worth seemed to have been in what I could do for others. I had lost sight of who I really was or what my true gifts were. My constructed mask was cracking and beneath it lurked terrible despair and terror.
Then I walked onto Harmony!
That first day I immediately felt at home among fellow travellers in this sometimes very painful world. We understand each other – we trust each other – we have been there so we can support each other.
As you walk through the door you feel as if you are enveloped in a safe, tender hug – the sort of hug some of us may not have experienced for a very long time.
Coming to Harmony has changed my life in countless ways –
It has given structure to my week and continues to be a lifeline during my darkest times.
I have learnt that I am accepted and perhaps even loved just as I am.
I no longer have to exhaust myself by caring for others or to try to gain acceptance and love.
I am getting better at setting boundaries and being assertive; at least realising that my own needs are just as important as those of other people. I am enjoying using my talents wisely and in ways that don’t drain me.
From peer support groups and workshops, I have learnt many invaluable skills – especially mindfulness and relaxation – tools I will be able to use for the rest of my life.
To know that our facilitators and volunteers are on hand to have a private chat if you need it – that is worth its weight in gold. Their sensitivity, empathy and expertise often works unseen miracles.
And as a group, we are learning to enjoy ourselves again – laughter, music, art and dancing are very therapeutic – and fun!
So thank you – thank you to all of you who have made Harmony the emotional treasure trove it has become for so many of us –
You may well have saved our lives.
Thank you."
I was drained beyond anything I have ever felt before and was utterly burned out. All through my life my worth seemed to have been in what I could do for others. I had lost sight of who I really was or what my true gifts were. My constructed mask was cracking and beneath it lurked terrible despair and terror.
Then I walked onto Harmony!
That first day I immediately felt at home among fellow travellers in this sometimes very painful world. We understand each other – we trust each other – we have been there so we can support each other.
As you walk through the door you feel as if you are enveloped in a safe, tender hug – the sort of hug some of us may not have experienced for a very long time.
Coming to Harmony has changed my life in countless ways –
It has given structure to my week and continues to be a lifeline during my darkest times.
I have learnt that I am accepted and perhaps even loved just as I am.
I no longer have to exhaust myself by caring for others or to try to gain acceptance and love.
I am getting better at setting boundaries and being assertive; at least realising that my own needs are just as important as those of other people. I am enjoying using my talents wisely and in ways that don’t drain me.
From peer support groups and workshops, I have learnt many invaluable skills – especially mindfulness and relaxation – tools I will be able to use for the rest of my life.
To know that our facilitators and volunteers are on hand to have a private chat if you need it – that is worth its weight in gold. Their sensitivity, empathy and expertise often works unseen miracles.
And as a group, we are learning to enjoy ourselves again – laughter, music, art and dancing are very therapeutic – and fun!
So thank you – thank you to all of you who have made Harmony the emotional treasure trove it has become for so many of us –
You may well have saved our lives.
Thank you."
