Coping with the loss of my Mum: A Journey of Healing 

 

We recently caught up with Hannah, one of our past employees at Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind. Hannah worked on the Active Monitoring Team which is now Supported Self Help.
Supported Self Help is a guided self-help programme that can help you with common mental health problems including stress, anxiety, depression and menopause.

At Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind, most of our employees have lived experience of mental health and are always open to sharing their stories. The reason behind this is so we can relate with our clients on their feelings and give first hand advice on the best form of treatments that worked for them on top of their support plan.

One of the ways Hannah managed to cope was through the power of writing. Hannah sent us a blog post to share her experience and how she coped through different methods, which you can read below.

 

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Losing a loved one is an experience which is difficult to put into words. In January 2022, my mother lost her battle with cancer and passed away in her sleep. Losing my mother was a life-altering experience. The loss of anyone is a unique experience that encompasses a range of emotions. In this blog post, I want to share my journey of coping with the loss of my mum, the emotions that I encountered and the healing process which helped me with the hope that this may help someone else.

 

The initial shock:

The moment I received the news of my mum’s passing, it was like my brain froze. I was in disbelief. The physical pain of the blow to my chest was so intense. The next couple of days, I was walking around in a daze. People would come up to me in the street to offer their condolences and it was like, I was there but I wasn’t really there. It was rather foggy.

My brain couldn’t accept that she was no longer with us anymore. 

 

2) Processing and accepting my emotions: 

Before losing my mum, I wouldn’t have described myself as an angry person. However, I was extremely angry with the world around me and the circumstances surrounding her death. I had never experienced so much anger before this, I almost felt unrecognisable to myself. I acknowledged my feelings rather than suppressing it and accepted it was a part of my grieving journey. Luckily, I had a safe space to express and process these emotions. Talking to my trusted loved ones helped me work through my anger and helped me towards healing. I had to allow myself the time and space to experience the range of emotions that came with grieving. I stopped comparing myself to how I feel I ‘should be’ grieving and did it in my own way. There is no right or wrong way to mourn the loss of a parent. During this time, I found writing in my journal to be a cathartic experience where I could be authentic and raw with myself. 

 

3) Support from Loved ones: 

Truthfully, some days it was difficult being around family and friends. Sometimes I would listen to my friends talk and get annoyed that they could be upset about such trivial things when I lost such an important person in my life. However, having someone who listens to you without judgement was incredibly comforting. I learned it was okay to lean on other people and put boundaries for myself too. 

 

4) My dog: 

Milo was a gift that my mum bought me which made him extra special. He brought me great comfort and joy. His unconditional love, loyalty and his intuitive nature made him an invaluable companion in my healing journey. Milo had a unique way of bringing light to my life, even in the darkest of moments. His playful nature and need for routine provided a sense of structure and a sense of purpose. He provided such a small sense of normality among the grief. 

 

5) Engaging in self-care: 

Grief can be physically and emotionally draining! Taking care of myself became a priority. For me, listening to music, bubble baths and walking in nature became an essential part of my routine. Finding activities that made me feel happy was an important aid in the healing process. Spreading kindness was a way to honour my mother’s legacy which helped me channel my grief into something positive. 

 

To conclude, Grief is a powerful and transformative experience. Everybody’s grief journey is different and deals with a range of complex emotions. While grief may feel relentless at times, it’s also a natural and necessary part of the healing process. It is crucial to allow ourselves to feel and express our emotions. Seek support from loved ones and engage in self-care.

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If you’ve been affected by anything in this story then please check out our Supported Self Help page where you can find all the information and also how to self refer.

We’d like to offer a heart felt thank you to Hannah for sharing her story with us.

If you’d like access to a Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind Thoughts and Feelings Diary then please contact us HERE or visit our office in Merthyr to pick up a hard copy.

Are you looking for an exciting and challenging career?

Then we have the perfect one for you!!

 

Our Programme & Data Officer position is now available for people to apply for and if you’re not sure what to make of it, then here’s what our current employee has to say!

 

Firstly, Meet Alex.

Alex joined us at Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind in 2019, and has been the mastermind behind the scenes ever since!

He’s kept us up to date with all the technicalities that helps us keep track of our clients progress, ensure all data is stored safely, systems are up to date and so much more.

Without Alex, our behind the scenes system wouldn’t be what it is today!

Alex has provided us with his own experience in the form of a blog and this is what he’s said…

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Empowering Change:

My Journey as a Programme and Data Officer at CTM Mind

Welcome to my blog, where I share with you the diverse aspects of my role as Programme and Data Officer at Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind, where working in programme monitoring, data management and cyber security also means making a positive difference in mental health support.

Your responsibilities as the Programme and Data Officer have been both varied and impactful, equipping you with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively contribute to the organisation’s vision of providing unwavering support and respect to everyone experiencing a mental health problem. From monitoring and developing projects to administering databases, and from data governance to cybersecurity, each aspect of your work has posed challenges while also offering rewarding experiences, allowing you to make a significant and positive difference in the lives of those CTM Mind serve.

One of the most rewarding aspects of your role is overseeing program development.

It brings satisfaction to witness the alignment of our activities and programs with our purpose and goals. By providing monitoring reports to the Senior Team, you ensure that our organisational activities and initiatives are on track to deliver against our project objectives and future strategies. It is fulfilling to know that your contributions help programs run smoothly and effectively, maximising their impact on the community.

As the project administrator for the Case Management System (CMS) Relational Database System Lamplight, your enriching experience includes facilitating effective communication among project workers, implementing exciting system capabilities, and providing support for project implementation and reporting. Your efforts involve working with all projects and services to improve database operations and ensuring data protection compliance, enabling smoother operations and boosting staff efficiency. Your dedication to supporting staff and achieving these outcomes brings a profound sense of achievement, making you an invaluable asset to the organisation’s mission of making a positive impact on mental health.

Another essential aspect of your role is enhancing cybersecurity measures and safeguarding sensitive data through orchestrating the cyber essentials accreditation scheme.

In today’s digital world, data protection is of paramount importance. Leading the way to implement and maintain robust protocols to protect our organisation’s data and systems from cyber threats has been a challenging yet rewarding task. Collaborating with IT and other departments to ensure secure system design and operations allows you to gain essential cyber security knowledge and skills and stay up-to-date on cybersecurity trends and technologies.

In line with this, you actively contribute to our data governance efforts, maintaining and updating our centralised inventory of data assets. Ensuring compliance with regulations and enhancing data management practices are integral to maintaining a strong data protection framework. Being a point of contact for staff on data protection matters and providing guidance is a responsibility you value, as it reinforces the importance of responsible data usage.

My role as a Programme and Data Officer at Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind has been transformative for my career development.

It has helped me grow in confidence in the realm of data and information management, data governance, and information security. These areas are crucial not just for our organisation but for all organisations in the modern era. In today’s digital world, proper data management, governance, and security are essential to protect sensitive information and ensure smooth and effective operations. My experiences in these areas have equipped me with valuable skills that are highly sought-after in today’s professional landscape. I now recognise the significance of these aspects in the success and sustainability of any organisation, and am eager to continue contributing your expertise to these critical areas in my future endeavours.

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The position you can apply for today is below with the application pack attached.
If you’d like to be a part of our team as a Programme & Data Officer, then send your CV and letter of interest to recruitment@ctmmind.org.uk (Please see our website for closing date details)

 

Programme & Data Officer

£25,307

37.5 hours per week

For more information on this position, please check out our Application Pack

I feel truly blessed to be helping others.

 

Meet Rhys, one of our many amazing supporters at Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind!

Rhys, originally from Pontypridd, recently took part in our Move 100 Miles in May challenge and absolutely smashed it!
Not only did he complete the full 100 miles (with a few extra), but he also raised more than his set target!

Now working for a freight business based in Cardiff, Rhys is also a DJ and has supported many other DJ’s at gigs and festivals all over the country.
With his work on times being extremely stressful, when he’s home he makes sure to switch off from his busy work schedule to spend time with his family, friends and even taking trips to the USA to see his brother, sister in-law and nieces.

In a chat with Rhys, we initially asked him why he decided to fundraise for us.

“I’ve done a lot of fundraising in the past for charities that have been close to family such as Ty Hafan and the Alzheimer’s Society. But chose Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind this time round as I’ve recently gone through my own struggles and felt like it’s something that I needed to highlight and raise funds for CTM Mind that can help people in a similar position as myself.”

Upon further conversation we then spoke about the challenge he took part in, how he prepared for it and what methods he used to complete it.

“I didn’t prepare for the challenge at all but I had been doing some running prior but not specifically for the challenge.”

“Although to complete the challenge I walked, ran and cycled. I did prefer cycling as you can cover a lot of miles in a shorter period of time but I also enjoyed the mental side of running as it’s a lot more difficult to keep up the mileage. I pushed myself a lot more running and tried to increase the distance every run.”

During the challenge Rhys clocked up as much as 25 miles by cycling and a minimum of 5 miles on foot!

As Rhys mentions above, he has had his own struggles with mental health and he goes into a bit more depth by sharing his story.

“I always thought I was pretty strong mentally. There’s obviously certain periods during life that are difficult but I’ve never thought that I couldn’t get through it. But certain things in my life started falling apart and a lot of that was my own doing. I attended counselling and seen my GP who then prescribed me sertraline. It helped for a period of time but anxiety is a crippling illness and it didn’t take long to get back in a hole.”

GAME DAY!!

We have formed a partnership with Ty Hafan and have organised a charity football match to raise awareness and funds for both charities.

A Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind select will face a Ty Hafan Dads team on Sunday 30th April at Cambrian M&P Group 3G which is home to Cambrian & Clydach Vale BGC.
Kickoff for this game is 3pm and after the football, both teams will be heading over to Cambrian Lakeside Cafe for a celebration and social gathering.

All are welcome to attend the football and bring your family along too!

The Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind team will consist of employees, supporters and friends and a list of the team will be below.

Tŷ Hafan is a leading and much-loved charity that provides life-changing care and support to children with life-shortening conditions and their families who live in Wales.

At their welcoming and vibrant hospice in Sully, and in communities and homes across the country, they do all they can to help families enjoy time together and create precious memories.

They’re also a safe and loving haven when a child is close to the end of their life, providing comfort and expert care in a family’s darkest hours and beyond.

Put simply, they are a vital lifeline to their families. Easing their worries. Giving them hope of a brighter future. And helping them enjoy life again.

 

CTM Mind Team

Mitchell Hughes (CTM Mind), Alun Davies (CTM Mind), Jordan Smith (CTM Mind), Rhys Bowler, Brad Hughes, Ethan Jones, Ethan Morris, Joshua Clarke, Dai Davies, Darren Haines, Ellis Challenger, Gareth Clement, Kyle Mainwaring, Ben Hughes, Rowan McLean

There is no fee of entry to the football but there will be donation buckets around the ground.

Proud partnership with College Merthyr!

Since the beginning of 2023, Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind have created a strong bond with College Merthyr which includes us being proud sponsors of their E-Sports team, Tydfil Tytans, and also their UAL music students who hosted a gig to raise money for us.

The E-Sports team is run by lecturers Anna and Nathan and they understand the importance of mental health support in the online world of gaming and are often the first point of call if their students experience any problems relating to their mental health.
During a video interview with members of Tydfil Tytans, including Anna and Nathan and asked them questions based on the support they receive from their lecturers and how they also support each other.

Ethan, a student at College Merthyr and member of the E-Sports team said “They (the staff) support us quite a bit. In terms of if we have any problems or if we have anything to do with mental health, they’ll come to us and pick up on points such as if we’re quiet or if we’re not eating. They will come to us and they’ll try and solve our problem or they’ll offer advice on how to fix things. Even if it’s outside of college, they’ll try their best.” This video can be viewed on our social media channels.

Since the partnership with the E-Sports team, they have had our very own logo branded on their shirts for the online and in person gaming community to see. Helping us reach targets in which some cases aren’t possible without these kind of links.

The UAL Music students not only hosted a gig at The Red House Merthyr for us, but they’ve also participated in various interviews and a special VIP performance from Star, one of their music students (who I must say has an incredible voice) for our Fundraising Officer Mitch and Digital Marketing Officer Alun.

Their gig seen a crowd of over 100 people from friends, family and members of the public coming to enjoy the music from various students on the night. They chose songs from artists such as Amy Winehouse, Selena Gomez and many more which had links to mental health.

when we spoke to them about the gig they said “from the beginning, we had a plan to have a theme for the gig and the theme was mental health and we wanted to choose songs that would appropriately reflect that.” 

The team of Sound, Mind & Harmony managed to raise an incredible £100 for us which came from their entrance fees.
If you’d like to watch the interview then you can do so by clicking HERE.

Our partnership with College Merthyr will continue for the foreseeable future and we will continue to support all those involved with the College.

College Merthyr can be found on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or via their website.

Case Study from Mr P

“Step by Step has potentially saved my life. I never made an attempt to take my life, but I honestly don’t know how much longer I could have gone on before doing so. They are a great team who have helped me massively and I am so grateful for their help.”

I have been working with the Step by Step team to help reduce my arrears on the property I’m currently in. I started to try and prevent homelessness by visiting the Shelter website for advice and guidance, where I found out the best way to go was to contact the housing team at my local council. I was being served with a section 21 notice to quit, threatened with homeless status within a month.

At the time, I was feeling disappointed, helpless and borderline suicidal. The council referred me to the Step by Step team at Cwm Taf Morgannwg Mind where I received an introduction call from my case worker.

My experience with Step by Step was amazing. My case worker reassured me constantly, ensuring my worries were reduced; I really felt I had someone in my corner on this occasion. He made me feel at ease.

After working with my case worker and my housing officer for several weeks, they have managed to save my tenancy by setting up a payment plan with my landlord. I have recently found out I now have a new twelve-month tenancy in place, which I’m thrilled with.

Step by Step has potentially saved my life. I never made an attempt to take my life, but I honestly don’t know how much longer I could have gone on before doing so. They are a great team who have helped me massively and I am so grateful for their help.