Warrington BipolarUK Support Group back in business face-to-face

THE first Bipolar UK support group in the UK based in Warrington is set to return to hosting face-to-face meetings following a successful trial in June.

The group has come out of the virtual world and returned to reality to chat about living with the debilitating illness in the same room.
Former Mayor of Warrington, Geoff Settle set up the Warrington BipolarUK support group, with co-facilitator Mark Moran in 2016. The group was set up because the nearest place was a round trip of 35 miles, which in their view was too far away.
Mark said: “The monthly sessions have grown in popularity, and we were just about to start a second group when the pandemic struck. We switched to the virtual Zoom meetings, but members hated it.
“Members tells us that talking therapy in a group situation really works for them. It is a bit like a mental MOT using BipolarUK tools and techniques. For many people, the monthly sessions are the only therapy available, and importantly it is with people sharing lived experiences of the debilitating illnesses.”
The facilitators found that loss of contact was having a negative impact on member’s wellbeing. Mark put forward a case to BipolarUK to trial a safe return to face-to-face meetings. They agreed to his request if he and the venue manager did full risk assessments along with safeguards and checks.
Geoff said, “The pilot meeting on June 1st went very well, the banter was back, and we caught up with the highs and lows of bipolar. I even bought a thermometer for extra safety. The meetings are stigma-free, and nobody ever says pull yourself together. They know that they can talk openly and honestly about their experiences with likeminded people who will not judge or criticize them. What is said in the room stays in the room.
There are many lighter moments and occasionally the group have cute visitors such as Charlie and little Willow, two adorable puppies. Sandra brings them with her because she is training them as therapy dogs for a charity. Everyone agrees that they are a brilliant calming influence. After all you could not cuddle a virtual image, could you?
On average it can take ten years before sufferers are diagnosed from what is termed a chemical imbalance of the brain. No two cases are the same, its complex and even the professionals do not get the medication right first time. Then there is the long queue for counselling, resources if available are limited.
BipolarUK has set up the Bipolar Commission this year and the Warrington support group will be playing an active role in the research. The charity writes, on their web page “It is an exciting new project that aims to transform health care for people living with bipolar disorder. The Commission’s mission is to reduce the number of people who live with bipolar and who end their own lives. Our aim is to improve the quality of life for everyone who is who affected by the condition.”
Geoff said: “There is still so much to understand and discover about the debilitating illness and the web site is a brilliant place to starting looking https://www.bipolaruk.org/ Like so many other mental illnesses it will never go away but you can use the site to get information & tools to help you manage and mitigate the illness.
“Mark and I have reached out to local Universities particularly Chester and Lancaster and we have been involved in their PhD research studies. This has been a fascinating experience and given us a great deal to bring back to the group.
“Whether you are a sufferer, carer, or family member of someone living with bipolar, please contact BipolarUK if you want to attend our monthly sessions via [email protected] or call 0333 323 3880. The hardest part is stepping into the room for the first time. You can be assured of a warm welcome as was the case for a new lady last week at our July meeting.”