--- LAUNCH 1 ---
This helped set the mood for the day where everyone was encouraged to participate in a caring and supportive environment.
Brian Barnett (voice hearer and peer advocate with the Irish Advocacy Network) then introduced himself as co presenter / facilitator with Tracy Millar for the day. Brian gave a short description of what voice hearing means to him and how he sees the future of HVI. Brian then played and audio recording of an interview with Derrick Mooney of the Mooney show on RTE1 which was broadcast the day before. This gave everyone a chance to concentrate and listen to the way Brian lives with voices.
We had a short tea break for people to digest this, then Tracy Millar gave an account of her experience with the London and Belfast hearing voices network. We have gained a lot of insight from their experience in setting up and running a network in Ireland and we will continue to strengthen our bond and similar goals.
Small group discussions about what might have arisen for individuals from the day so far and an opportunity to ask questions of guest contributors followed. The feedback was then read out by someone from each group and drafted on to flip charts. We also asked people to jot down three things on ‘post-its’ that people thought of as essential to getting HVI up and running, which Brian and Tracy correlated into key issues to be discussed after lunch.
The key issues raised and discussed by each group were:-
GROUP ONE: Publicity needs to be ongoing. A database of voice hearers and interested parties needs to be put together. Need to reach out for funding. Early education of realities of voice hearing. Support groups to include family and friends.
• GROUP TWO: Individual experiences respected – everyone different. Good, bad and indifferent experiences valued. Admitting to voice hearing in a trusting environment. Possible buddy system for voice hearers. Sharing info and education about voice hearing. Removal of fear of coming forward as a voice hearer. Democracy in groups. Clarity about aims. Pacing – crawl before walking. Inclusive of all concerned groups.
• GROUP THREE: Free phone Help line. Cork person to go to Belfast for facilitator training. Posters etc in hospitals and facilities. Avail of free publicity in the media. Look to Lotto for funding.
• GROUP FOUR: Should challenge stigma. Value experience of individuals. Some people celebrate ‘the gift’. Provide a caring supportive environment. More education and support for people coming off meds. Soul. Yoga. Reclaim validation.
•
GROUP FIVE: Educate the public. Group strength in coming together. A space
for people who don’t want voices or who have stopped voice hearing.
About meeting needs and sharing. Finding a new language. A place for recovery
– support and listening ear. Careful steps. Getting the word out there.
Pacing growth.
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