When Nicola first met her Connector she had been feeling overwhelmed by her anxiety and recognised with a sense of loss how it had got in the way of her leading a full life. Her social world had shrunk over a period of a few years and she tended to only leave her home for shopping and medical appointments.  

She told her Connector she was keen to make incremental changes to her daily life but would need encouragement – and lots of it! Her Connector acknowledged what a positive step it was to take notice of how mental health issues had impacted her life. Together, they agreed a gentle but clear plan to expand Nicola’s social world – Nicola would only be introduced to groups that involved walking, nature and meeting others who were interested in improving their wellbeing. Alongside some self-help mental health resources, these boundaries helped Nicola feel in control and served to improve her decision-making skills. 

Over the next couple of months, Nicola attended wellbeing activities that she really enjoyed. She invited a couple of acquaintances to go along with her and they now attend on a regular basis. Having been used to living a solitary life, she is noticing how these regular meet-ups give her mood a boost and allow her to deepen her relationships with others. 

Nicola has continued to set self-care goals for herself, with her Connectors support. As well as continuing to attend activities with her friends, she has started to explore new parts of the city alone, and has planned a solo holiday. Her social world is now expanding and working with the 5 Ways to Wellbeing, she is able to recognise what she needs to maintain this positive direction moving into the future.