Hi everyone, I’m hellothere21, — Scope | Disability forum
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Hi everyone, I’m hellothere21,

hellothere21
hellothere21 Community member Posts: 2 Listener
I’m completely new to this but it all sounds great and hopefully soon find my way round and chat to every one 

Comments

  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,979 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @hellothere21

    Welcome to Scope's forum. It is great to see you have joined us. It may take time but I hope you quickly feel welcomed and supported here at Scope. You will soon realise that you may only need to remember how to locate a few links on the forum which is really helpful! However, the main links you will need will depend on your motivation for joining the forum and any specific interests you have. Would you like to share your motivations and interests with me? It would be great to get to know you :D
    Community Volunteer Adviser with professional knowledge of education, special educational needs and disabilities and EHCP's. Pronouns: She/her. 

    Please note: if I use the online community outside of its hours of administration, I am doing so in a personal capacity only.
  • arbfy2
    arbfy2 Community member Posts: 15 Connected
    Hello @hellothere21; where are you from (yes, I'm new to this as well!)
  • Ross_Alumni
    Ross_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,652 Disability Gamechanger
    Wishing you a warm welcome to the community @hellothere21

    It's good to see you join us, I'm sure that with a bit of exploration you will soon know your way around the community very well indeed, however if you have any questions then feel free to ask away :) 
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  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,979 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @arbfy2

    Thanks for providing a warm welcome to @hellothere21. Just more proof that our community is welcoming and supportive. I hope you have been enjoying settling into the community. I have seen that you have already been getting involved in discussions on the forum which is great to see!
    Community Volunteer Adviser with professional knowledge of education, special educational needs and disabilities and EHCP's. Pronouns: She/her. 

    Please note: if I use the online community outside of its hours of administration, I am doing so in a personal capacity only.
  • arbfy2
    arbfy2 Community member Posts: 15 Connected
    Thank you; I would like to know how to increase my social contact, as I'm struggling since my wife died last year
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,979 Disability Gamechanger
    edited October 2021
    Hi @arbfy2

    I am so sorry to hear your wife died last year. That must be really difficult for you and I am not surprised to hear you are finding it tough. Hopefully communicating with us will help you re-build your confidence in socialising. I am thinking the coffee lounge could be particularly relevant for you given your circumstances as it allows for more light-hearted talk about general life and games. If you are interested, you can find it at https://forum.scope.org.uk/categories/coffee-lounge. Other than this, I am wondering if you are aware of Scope's helpline? (https://www.scope.org.uk/helpline/). There are also bereavement helplines such as Cruse Bereavement (https://www.cruse.org.uk/get-support/helpline/). They may be able to support you more directly. Keep going, you have already done the most difficult thing in reaching out for the first time. I always appreciate how much courage it must take to reach out for the first time. And as you can see with @Alex1970's warm welcome, you are within a supportive community - I hope you find us just as friendly! Thanks @Alex1970. Take care both of you and I will look forward to hearing from you again soon  :)
    Community Volunteer Adviser with professional knowledge of education, special educational needs and disabilities and EHCP's. Pronouns: She/her. 

    Please note: if I use the online community outside of its hours of administration, I am doing so in a personal capacity only.
  • arbfy2
    arbfy2 Community member Posts: 15 Connected
    I am already in contact with Cruse - they are great - but I would like human contact as well
  • arbfy2
    arbfy2 Community member Posts: 15 Connected
    Thank you L_volunteer
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,979 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @arbfy2

    No worries, I naturally just wanted to make sure you have all the support you need and deserve. However, we can certainly provide human contact  :D
    Community Volunteer Adviser with professional knowledge of education, special educational needs and disabilities and EHCP's. Pronouns: She/her. 

    Please note: if I use the online community outside of its hours of administration, I am doing so in a personal capacity only.
  • arbfy2
    arbfy2 Community member Posts: 15 Connected
    Due to my injury, a few physical duties (eg cleaning) are difficult/impossible; however, my mental skills are fine eg I got a post-injury Economics degree (a 2:1) + other professional qualifications, so I'm not thick (I would be happy to help others out with their financial problems)
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,979 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @arbfy2

    Have you looked at Indeed yet? I am thinking you could benefit from searching for jobs local to you and remote jobs. In both instances, it might be worth seeing if there are any economics jobs if you wish to apply your degree. I have noticed there have been quite a lot of remote jobs added since the pandemic. Hopefully, this will go in your favour. Please feel free to let us know how you get on or if this is something you would like additional support with. Please also remember that Scope also have an employment support service which you can find at https://www.scope.org.uk/employment-services/  :) I will look forward to hearing from you again soon! 
    Community Volunteer Adviser with professional knowledge of education, special educational needs and disabilities and EHCP's. Pronouns: She/her. 

    Please note: if I use the online community outside of its hours of administration, I am doing so in a personal capacity only.
  • arbfy2
    arbfy2 Community member Posts: 15 Connected
    Thank you for your efforts; I graduated in 1992; I applied for over 500 jobs [both public and private ) - the worst employer was that self-appointed paragon of virtue, M&S, who treated me like I had a mental, rather than a physical, "disability" (I hate political correctness). I have now given up. Instead, I manage my pension fund.

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