Speak About It Mate is likely one of the unique psychological well being assist teams that has hyperlinks with the MAN v FAT group.
Mike Richard tells us all about it!
What do you do at Speak About It Mate?
We specialize in creating areas for folks to attach in as we imagine within the energy of individuals serving to folks. Our work has developed over the previous 5 years from informal meetups and occasions in Manchester to extra organised peer assist areas which we have been capable of transfer on-line throughout the pandemic.
Alongside these, we have been capable of join folks via WhatsApp teams, with our predominant group nonetheless going robust to this present day. We run an additional soccer recreation on Monday nights and the boys know there’s somebody they will communicate to in the event that they want assist.
Prior to now couple of years, we have now been capable of present a variety of face-to-face peer assist teams reminiscent of males’s teams and combined strolling teams. Now we provide three weekly daytime males’s teams in Salford with most of the members being referred into us by social prescribers.
How did you get TAIM up and working?
I’ve all the time had struggles with my very own psychological well being which solely grew to become clear to me in 2004 aged 18, after I was identified with despair. The panorama has modified significantly since then and searching again I can see that what I actually wanted was areas to speak and open up about what was happening for me, which I didn’t have.
In consequence, I struggled for 12 years earlier than experiencing a psychological breakdown and looking for assist within the type of counselling. I used to be determined for others to not undergo what I’d been via, so after I moved again to Manchester after just a few years away I made a decision to create a small meetup group referred to as ‘Speak About It Mate’ since then it has modified my life for the higher in each means.
I used to be capable of cease educating and begin coaching as a counsellor alongside rising TAIM, now I juggle each roles and issues are rising on a regular basis.
What’s TAIM’s relationship with MAN v FAT?
Following my breakdown and whereas I used to be residing in London I made a decision (whereas having remedy) to lastly sort out my points with confidence and vanity. As this principally got here from how I felt about my weight, this was the primary time I’d ever thought of making an actual change.
I joined MAN v FAT in Leyton and performed up till coming again up north, after I joined the freshly launched Salford league. After some time I additionally joined the Manchester league. Being a part of the group was nice for me, not solely was I shedding pounds and rising in confidence I used to be making new friendships too.
