We are always excited to hear women share their stories about the impact Peaced Together has had on their lives. Below are some stories from a course at Healthy Living, Healthy Lives in Abridge, Essex.
“On the day I stepped through the door to begin the Peaced Together course, I had just been through the worst six months of my life. I had a very close and recent bereavement and was exhausted with grief. A friend came across the course and suggested it could be of help to me. To this day, I don’t know how I attended or even got through that first evening, but I’m glad I did. If I hadn’t gone I never would have experienced the support, friendship, kindness and guidance that helped me survive.
The content of the course often seemed especially relevant to my situation. Looking at difficult life events from a new, different perspective slowly gave me the beginnings of a new outlook. There were essays, talks and poems, incorporating relevant craft projects. It was also helpful hearing other people’s stories, I gained the strength to see that I could survive and go forward with my life. The support and kindness given to me by the group meant so much that I began to look forward to our weekly meetings and came away just that bit stronger every time.
I found being at home, alone, very difficult and happened to come across a job online that would possibly suit my situation. Had it not been for Peaced Together, I know for sure I would not have had the confidence to apply. I was offered a post!
It is still very early days and I am finding my way in this new life – I often have very difficult and distressing days. But I now have purpose with a new job, a new outlook the course has given me and lovely friends I met there. Peaced Together will always be very special to me, because, in many ways, it saved me.”
“I spent most of the ten years before joining Peaced Together unemployed due to ill health, and most of that time unable to get out and about without someone to help me. This was very isolating and my confidence in being able to meet people or join things had shrunk with every year that passed. It felt like my life was slipping away and it certainly wasn’t how I wanted it to be, which was extremely sad.
Four months ago while playing around online I saw an advertisement for Peaced Together, and something made me enquire without really looking beyond the words women and craft. As the course started that week it seemed likely that it would be full, however by divine intervention there was a place free, and I took it. Once someone had been organised to take me there and bring me home I tried not to think about it until the day so that my anxiety didn’t get the better of me.
On the first evening, not knowing what to expect was quite nerve wracking, but my friend said she would sit and wait for me after dropping me off so I knew there was an escape route! Naturally I assumed the other ladies were all leading ‘normal’ lives, and I was the odd one out. However, even in the first week as we talked through the topic I realised that everyone was struggling in their own ways – with bereavement, health issues, family issues, financial issues, anxiety and depression. In spite of this they all had such a lot to offer and they all wanted to have a greater, more peaceful, powerful sense of themselves.
By the time the ten weeks had finished I had made some new friends, had access to a great network of other local Peaced Together ladies through a closed Facebook group and was invited to regular social support craft meet-ups.
Doing Peaced Together helped me embrace the things that I am good at which led to me approach a local organisation about volunteering and using my strengths. They were really pleased to have me, and I love being useful again. I definitely wouldn’t have had the courage to ask them for a position before doing the course.”
“I was on the first course to be run in Abridge. When I was invited I was just coming out of a bout of depression and thought, “That’s the last thing I need to do – arts and crafts are not my thing!” But the course leader was very persuasive and I turned up along with three others, one whom I knew and two I had never met before.
By the end of the first evening I knew that I had made two new friends. We were already able to encourage each other and listen to each other’s stories – and in my case accept help from all of them.
A few weeks later my depression had gone completely. I had made my first ever cushion and with help had even used a sewing machine! I was very proud of my treasure box.
It did not make me rush into making needlework or art work my new hobby but Peaced Together did make me realise that doing things as a group and accepting each other’s encouragement and help makes life so much better. So I say thank you to God for the way in which all of them helped me to find joy again. It was great!”