About
Sadly, many people in life will experience circumstances that can change their lives forever (including myself). The impact of occurrences such as grief, loss, trauma and change can be extremely detrimental to an individual’s mental health, physical health, wellbeing, schooling and future opportunities. Such incidents can leave scars that might never fully heal and questions that may never be answered. They can change attitudes and behaviours and significantly affect someone’s choices, chances and changes in life.
I am an experienced, creative and compassionate health and social care professional and mental health ambassador who has worked in this field, in various roles (including nursing, independent advocacy, social work and residential child care) for over thirty years. I have a proven track record of workshop and course facilitation, creating and facilitating peer support, speaking at public events, delivering campaign talks, creating organisational resources and increasing awareness of mental (mind) health and wellbeing and suicide prevention...through online and face-to-face communications.
Professionally and personally, I have listened to numerous people stating that they don’t matter, that they are not good enough, that people don’t care and that their life doesn’t matter...SURELY THIS CAN NEVER BE OKAY? So, I created YMA to remind people of their worth and focus on discovering and developing their inner strengths to use, as their outer foundations, for their future health and wellbeing.
You Matter Always appreciates the value of human connection, meaningful choice, caring conversations and kindness, and the significant role that they play in developing a stronger sense of self and making social change.
All That You Are (ATYA)
A strengths-based approach to self-discovery and self-management.Individually, we can make a difference. Collectively, we can confront what is wrong and multiply what is right. Together, we can make change.
The ALL THAT YOU ARE course recognises and appreciates that often when people are living with a long-term health condition or facing times of grief, trauma, loss, crisis and change…life can feel like a constant uphill struggle. In some cases, you can lose your sense of self and confidence in your own abilities.
The aim of this course is to celebrate YOU. To put YOU at the heart of everything for a change. To hear your thoughts, feelings and stories. To consider and appreciate your wisdom, transferable skills, strengths, abilities and potential. To grow through whatever you are going through. To recognise, explore and celebrate ALL THAT YOU ARE, and get you back in the driving seat of your own life, health and wellbeing and happiness.
The course is primarily delivered (face-to-face) over 2 days (approximately 12hrs) or 2 hourly sessions over 6 weeks. It has recently been delivered online also. The format that seems to work best for this approach is: 2 hourly sessions, over 6 weeks (that consist of a video, zoom discussion and a reflective task).
** The format and content of the course can be adapted to meet the time requirements, needs and wants of the individuals, groups and organisations who have signed up.
- Exploring how to CARE (Consider, Acknowledge, Recognise, Embrace) about who you are because knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.
- Valuing your relationship with yourself because no-one has the right to make you feel worthless especially YOU!
- Discovering the greatness of kindness because it is the one thing that EVERYONE can afford to give, and the ripple effect is endless.
- Examining the difference between empathy and sympathy because empathy is arguably the core quality of civilisation.
- Considering the importance of self-talk because your body hears everything that your mind says.
- Silencing the stigma because, by its very definition, it is a mark of disgrace and is a negative mindset that we must replace. (A focus on self-stigma and social/public stigma.)
- Reflecting on what matters to you because it is important to identify your wants, needs, values, hopes and aspirations to establish a relationship with yourself, in the context of your own life, and explore your best way forward.
- Exploring the significant role that hope and meaningful choice can play in recovery/rediscovery and life in general (adopting a strengths-based approach to living).
- Discovering the CPR (Cherish your Personal Resourcefulness) of You Matter Always because you already possess a collection of competencies that can help yourself and others to flourish.
- Reflecting on the strength in self-care because learning to rest and refuel is vital so that you can continue to thrive by bringing out the best in you, rather than merely survive with what is left of you.
- The course is primarily delivered (face-to-face) over 2 days (approx 12hrs) or 2 hourly sessions over 6 weeks. It has recently been delivered online also. The format that seems to work best for this approach is: 2 hourly sessions, over 6 weeks, that consist of a video, zoom discussion and a reflective task.
"It has been a privilege to work with Suzy in developing her 'You Matter Always' course. There was so much material and the sessions had such an impact on our students I asked Suzy to make it a 6-week course. She additionally produced a beautifully illustrated accompanying booklet and provides resources which are well designed and thoughtful. This course has the warmth and passion from someone who has worked personally through many of these issues and is an inspirational role model. Our students experience lasting change in their self-belief and self-worth. I cannot recommend this course highly enough."
- Jeanette Allan-North Ayrshire Wellbeing Recovery College Co-ordinator.
Registered in Scotland | Company Number: SC577979