Page 33 - link magazine

Christmas story time in a library Take a Boxing Day dip Slimming class starts
Santa Claus is planning to take time Even Swindon: Wednesday 9th, 2pm; for Air Ambulance on New Year’s eve
out from his busy schedule to deliver Central: Tuesday 15th, 11am; Cotswold Open Water Swimmers A new Slimming World class starts
story times and rhymes to under Old Town: Tuesday 15th, 2.15pm; are inviting swimmers & Wiltshire on Thursday 31 December to give
fives at libraries across Swindon Liden: Thursday 17th, 10.30am; Air Ambulance supporters to join people who set themselves a New
before jumping into his sleigh on them for their Boxing Day Dip on Year’s resolution a flying start.
Christmas Eve. Highworth: Thursday 17th, 10.30am; 26 December, 9am to 10am, at Lake It launches at Redhouse
As you would expect of somebody West Swindon: Friday 18th, 10.30am; 32 in the Cotswold Water Park, near Community Centre, Frankel Avenue,
in a hurry, Santa will be at the Pinetrees: Monday 21st, 10am; Cirencester. SN25 2GY. Turn up and set yourself
following libraries for only half an North Swindon: Wednesday Seventy swimmers took part a target for 2016. For details
hour on these December dates: 23rd,11am; last year and they hope to attract contact Kerry on 07989 500151.
Wroughton: Tuesday 8th, 10.30am; Find out more at: 100 brave souls on Boxing Day, in A second new class at the
Penhill: Tuesday 8th, 2.30pm; www.swindon.gov.uk/libraries return for a suggested £5 donation. community centre takes place on
For more details please go to Saturday mornings.
NSPCC Swindon looks for local volunteers the COWS Facebook page at fb/ See page 12 for details of these
CostwoldSwimmers or mail jason@
‘Pregnancy in Mind’ is a new service sessions and encourage them to southwestswim.co.uk and other Slimming World classes.
launched by the Swindon NSPCC make use of the skills they have
to work with expectant and new learned once their baby is born.”
parents in their first year. Volunteers who would enjoy
The aim is to equip parents with interacting with expectant parents
skills to help their mental wellbeing. on transition to parenthood are
NSPCC service manager Ingrid needed. Roles include driving,
Anson said: “Peer supporters are key crèche work and supporting
to the success of our new service practitioners alongside group work.
in Swindon, providing reassurance For details contact Jan Davidson
and a friendly face. We want to help [email protected] or call
parents feel comfortable attending 01793 683100.
Men - lets talk!

Here’s a challenge from Simon Vizard
It’s disappointing that stigma still
exists when people admit they need
help. Seeing a therapist or receiving
counselling is often met with the
usual ‘what’s wrong with you?’
response.
Even worse and still common
is: ‘You just need to pull yourself
together!’
Both statements are incredibly
unhelpful if you are struggling to
cope. They do nothing to make you
feel better or encourage you to get
that help. Why is it that someone
is considered weak or silly if they
admit that they simply need to talk
to someone, and be listened to? can lead to feeling alienated or
In our enlightened world with so excluded from peers or family; some
many amazing, technological and struggle with not being able to live
scientific advances, counselling up to the stereotypical man concept
is still met with suspicion, fear, as portrayed in the media.
ridicule and ignorance, which is Put bluntly, men are only human,
a sad fact as research shows it is we are all only human, and we all
proven to work for many that seek have a right to seek help and to be
and receive it. happy.
Such comments can instil fear Don’t be afraid or embarrassed,
and anxiety in those considering get in touch, and let’s talk.
counselling and this is known • Simon Vizard is a qualified
to be much more prevalent in Person Centred Counsellor based
men. They also face adversity, in Swindon who has been working
personal problems, sensitive with men needing support with
and embarrassing challenges, sexual health related issues
and why wouldn’t they? They including sexuality, homophobia and
are not immune to getting hurt, discrimination, mainly in the gay
disappointed, sad, confused, lonely men’s and LGBTI communities. He
or depressed. also supports men and women with
Seeking help is often even a wide range of other challenges.
tougher for men facing relationship Find out more at:
difficulties or sexual health issues. www.simonvizard.com
For some, admitting they need help Registered Counsellor MBACP/Dip Couns (732631)
swindonlink.com n December 2015 33