Help with Days out and mental health

Tegan
Tegan Community Member Posts: 21 Connected
in Everyday life

okay, really didn’t know what to title this post as so sorry if you have come here under false assumptions.

I have chronic pain and my mobility has got worse and I now use a rollator that converts to a wheelchair as I get that exhausted. But the problem is - I have no one to go with me so even if I get exhausted and can convert to my wheelchair, I can’t self propel myself.

I’m a widow and the disability came just after my husbands death, I don’t drive and I just feel cut off from the world. My parents (in their 70’s) visit every Sunday but that’s it for human interaction.

I miss nature - spotting butterflies, public gardens, trips to the seaside - are there groups that take people out for the day ? Like find a friend / carer ?

I just feel mentally drained in the house all the time. I have a garden but I can’t get to a garden centre to get anything and my parents are very controlling (even though it’s my house) so it’s exhausting to try and request things to be done how I want them.


I used to walk to a local park that was just within my pain tolerance, but unfortunately it’s become unsavoury so best avoided as a single female on my own.


sorry I am just blabbering on, I’m just looking for help without really knowing what I’m looking for 🤷🏼‍♀️


Tegan

Comments

  • charl1234
    charl1234 Community Member Posts: 298 Empowering

    Ask for a social services adult needs assessment they can provide carers to help you access community depends on circumstances u may need to help pay a contribution towards the cost but not of income is low, hope that helps

  • Littlefatfriend
    Littlefatfriend Community Member Posts: 446 Trailblazing

    Hi Tegan

    For a few years now I've volunteered with NHS Volunteer Responders, providing companionship telephone calls to people in your kind of situation. It's a very interesting thing to do and I encourage other people to have a go if they have some spare time. You could try it yourself, guidance is available from them.

    They also provide "Connect - whereby volunteers will accompany someone to an activity (volunteers support people to attend social/community based activities e.g. lunch club visit, walks, accompanying someone to do their own shopping)."

    It appears your GP or other healthcare professionals could refer you for that. I'm sure if you telephone them they can explain. In my experience they're very helpful.

    Here's a link to their website.

    https://nhscarevolunteerresponders.org/id-like-support

    Good luck

    Luke

  • GalDriver
    GalDriver Community Member Posts: 137 Empowering

    I'd suggest a motorised chair or scooter. They are so liberating! You can save your walking for around the house/garden where you have more control of when to rest. I whizz about on my chair and retain more independence than I would without it. You can find some good second hand ones if you don't want to fork out for a new one. I got one of mine off ebay. Good luck.

    P.S. You can even use them in shops if they are spacious enough.

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