Mental Health Awareness Week 9th - 15th May 2022

At Fife Gingerbread we wanted to share a story with you of a family experiencing loneliness- Having someone to connect with weekly gave Gemma the message that she was valued, deserved to be listened to and that she herself was an asset to her community.

Gemma was a parent struggling through Covid, navigating a very difficult time for herself and her daughter. After leaving an unsafe environment, they found themselves trying to re-integrate back into a community in a new home, new school and new friendship group. Mum turned to Fife Gingerbread for support and was paired with a volunteer; someone to spend regular time with her to feel a sense of belonging.

Over a period of a few months Gemma accepted the volunteer support to her advantage and once again was getting out and about, taking her daughter out for long walks in the area as well as accessing any support that Fife Gingerbread could give her. The benefit of having a volunteer meant that she was able to spend time with someone opening up about things that she found were difficult as well as her own ambitions for the future of her family. Later in the year, Gemma decided that she no longer needed to meet with a volunteer weekly: her isolation had reduced because of the relationship they had built together. Luckily for Fife Gingerbread, she decided that volunteering herself would be the best thing for her family.

After being trained as a volunteer with Fife Gingerbread to help at groups as well as offering 121 support, Gemma has also taken part in some learning to boost her own confidence and gain some much-needed time focusing on herself. The training allowed her to meet like minded volunteers and other workers who shared something in common, as well as giving her information about how she could help others feel less lonely.

Gemma now regularly comes along and cooks for Fife Gingerbread families weekly in a local teatime club, which offers other families the opportunity to meet with each other and support workers if they feel support is needed and have a hot meal for them and their children. Gemma also plans to be part of the Fife Gingerbread Parent’s Forum to share her experiences with others and influence change.

Making connections in the community can be key in reducing loneliness.  Having someone to connect with weekly gave Gemma the message that she was valued, deserved to be listened to and that she herself was an asset to her community.