Women’s Peer Support Group

This peer support group, specifically set up to support our female community living with inherited retinal dystrophies is a safe, friendly & welcoming place which gives you the opportunity to discuss what’s on your mind from any troubles & struggles in daily life to specific topics such as loss of your driving license, being a guide dog user or walking with a white cane etc.

Please find below an introduction from Emma who will be joining us to share her journey and speak about mindfulness and wellbeing.

“Hello Retina UK, it is good to be invited to come and speak with the Women’s Group. My name is Emma and I have been working within the field of sight loss since 2012, as a qualified rehabilitation worker, and including some freelance with students experiencing sight loss and attending university. I have also worked for Sense, Age Concern, Headway, Guide Dogs, but in the main, local authority, where I am based now.”

“It feels a real privilege to work in the field, and I have met amazing people each day along the way. I have a special interest in mental health and wellbeing, gaining a Post Graduate certificate in Counselling, and a PG Certificate in Public Health and more recently Level 5 Diploma in Deafblind Studies. Currently I am in the process of completing a ‘Mindfulness Now’ Course, training as a Mindfulness Teacher and hope to make sessions accessible for all and eventually offer free sessions to help with people feeling stuck in the doing mode of life, rather than experiencing the present being mode.”

“Mindfulness and Yoga have helped me in my own battles with mental health, anxiety and depression and have navigated me though some difficult challenges in life. I am really excited about passing some of the information that I have learned from the mindfulness course and a couple of mindfulness practises that may create a moment to pause and just be who you are, showing gentleness and kindness with yourself, even if for a few minutes. Thank you for inviting me and catch up with you at the end of July.”

Please come along to hear from Emma and ask any questions you may have as well as sharing any ideas for topics of discussion or speakers you would like to hear from for future meetings. Even if you would just like a chat, advice or simply need a friendly listening ear, we are here to support you.

We hope you can make it and look forward to seeing you there!

If you would like to stay in contact with others and keep up to date with this peer group’s activity then why not join the Women’s PSG WhatsApp group chat? Please still register below to find out more.

Venue

This meeting will be held online via Zoom.