“Do
not judge me by my success. Judge me by how many times I fell down and got back
up again.”
Nelson
Mandela
This year, to mark the end of a very busy and productive 2025 which – thanks to the collaboration partners of I’m NOT Disordered – was crammed full of amazing moments, one-off opportunities, and very special experiences; I’m going to honour those partnerships. I decided that in addition to a reel/video of all my favourite moments and memories of 2025 (you can watch it at the end of the blog post), I would also create this piece celebrating all those who have contributed to my year. So, I’ve asked some of the lovely partners to write a little bit about both our work together and about other achievements or notable moments from this year for themselves. I sincerely hope that this post exemplifies just how grateful I am to all these people and organisations for their contributions to I’m NOT Disordered’s success and popularity. I couldn’t be more appreciative and respectful of all the other amazing work they do, and I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight that…
Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS
Foundation Trust (NUTH)
I feel so grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the
NUTH Mental Health Strategy development. I had never been involved in any other
projects like this before and as soon as I knew the Strategy would be developed
in collaboration with people who had a lived experience, I wanted to be part of
it. The “nothing about us without us” approach just makes sense to me, and it
should be part of everything we do as a Trust. The most enjoyable part of the
strategy development for me was our focus groups, without a doubt! No matter
the topic, there was enthusiasm, raw honesty, constructive criticism, positive
feedback, suggestions and amazing ideas - everything we could have wanted the
members to come to us with, including jokes and laughter! I still miss these
sessions.
Whilst I have been working at Newcastle Hospitals for four years
now, I have only just joined the public Facebook Group Rafi-Spotting at The Freeman! I
wanted to give a little ‘shout out’ to this page because I know I’m NOT
Disordered has collaborated with Cats Protection and also because this feels
relevant to mental health.
Who is Rafi? Rafi is a local cat who enjoys spending his free time
in our Northern Centre For Cancer Care (NCCC). The treatments provided at the
NCCC include chemotherapy, radiotherapy and dialysis. The impact of having
these treatments - and the diagnosis that require them - is one example of why
the Trust’s Mental Health Strategy is so important.
You do not have to read many of the posts on Rafi-Spotting before
it becomes clear that Rafi provides such joy, calm and comfort to the patients,
relatives, carers and staff who come through the NCCC - whether it is a
fleeting visit, a long shift or waiting for a loved one who is having
treatment. I think it’s beautiful that Rafi might come into the NCCC for
shelter, a snooze or a snoop around the coffee shop, he is unaware of the
positive impact his presence has on those around him. Or maybe he does, and he
knows he is exactly where he needs to be. Animals are pretty cool like that.
I have met Rafi a few times when I have come into work via the
NCCC entrance and seeing him IRL always gives me a little boost; not only when
I’m lucky enough to be able to give him a little bit of fuss, but when I see
other people’s faces light up when they see him. The Facebook page gives me a
boost too; it’s easy to become overwhelmed with negativity on social media, but
Rafi-Spotting is a true bright spark. Thank you, Rafi! and to those who follow
him for sharing your stories.
-
Gemma Norman, Experience of Care
Officer
Waythrough
My
favourite project this year is one that the Life Experience Council started
themselves, looking at access to support in remote rural areas. Even though the
project is still ongoing, it is already my favourite because rather than
responding to a request from Waythrough staff, this one started as one council
member’s idea. Now, after a series of proposals were put forward by the
council, the project has been fully integrated into Waythrough’s priorities,
with a working group chaired by the Regional Operations Lead. I feel very
optimistic about it having a positive impact on rural communities.
-
Joe Alderdice, Inclusion Manager
There are
probably too many Life Experience Council projects for me to pick a favourite –
and they’ve all been great! But one of my favourite moments was at an
in-person event we held, where we had an activity called the human
library. The idea was that you could choose a ‘human book’ and hear a
chapter of that person’s story. I loved hearing from the different people
who offered to be involved. Their chapters were all different, and all so
interesting!
-
Merry Springate, Working Together Lead
Cats Protection/Cats Protection
Tyneside
“In
the last year, more than 26,000 cats ended up in our care because they were
given up or abandoned. Those cats can't tell us how they're feeling, but they
still need someone to listen.
The
Cats Protection winter campaign follows the story of Alfie, who also featured
in our TV advert last winter, and explores the journeys of countless cats from
our care into their new, loving homes.
If
you’re able to donate, our fundraisers can be found on Instagram here or Facebook here!
And
you can watch campaign film on YouTube here. Together we can make sure cats get the love
and care they need.”
-
Vicki
Greenfield, Digital Engagement Manager
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne, &
Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW)
My
favourite project this year has been the development of Hope Haven in
Whitehaven. This is a national pilot setting the bar for what community
services can look like.
It’s
a whole new way of working together to support people through mental illness and
has been developed by a range of partners, alongside the people and communities
we serve. It is already making a difference and I can’t wait to see the
Hope Haven Hub open in December, or at the latest January 2026. That will
be a great Christmas present!
-
James Duncan, Chief Executive of
CNTW
Gum On My Shoe
I’m grateful to Aimee for the opportunity to contribute to her end
of year post and to highlight a couple of our collaborations from the past
year. The first was for Mental Health Awareness Week in May. We each answered
the same ten questions about different aspects of our blogging experience.
Topics included time management, the impact of blogging on our mental health
and wellbeing, feedback from readers, inspiration, and the kind of support we
find helpful. Aimee’s answers are here on
Gum on My Shoe, mine are here on
I’m NOT Disordered. I loved this collaboration because it demonstrated how
differently (in some ways) and how similarly (in others) we approach our
blogging, given that we both blog in the mental health space.
Our second collaboration was for International Men’s Day in
November. I wrote a piece for my blog in which (at Aimee’s suggestion and which
you can read here) I
focused on my feelings as a child and teenager. For I’m NOT Disordered I wrote
a companion piece titled You’ll Never Walk Alone (Walking Alone). This gave me
the opportunity to develop a few themes that didn’t make it into my original
piece. These included my sense of having always been an outsider looking in on
things from the periphery.
Looking back over the year, there have been a few milestone
moments. I’m proud that when Bipolar UK revamped their website, they told me
they intend to migrate the guest posts I wrote for them several years ago.
(They haven’t been migrated yet, but I live in hope!) I’m also glad to have
kept Gum on My Shoe going for another year. Posting original content every week
takes more time, effort, and focus than most people would perhaps imagine. I
wonder sometimes what impact my writing has out there in the world, but now and
again someone will tell me they found a post interesting, helpful, or valuable.
I’ve also come to realise how important my writing is to me. It allows me to
explore and share my thoughts, feelings, and experiences across a wide range of
topics. Not only through the posts themselves but in the many conversations I
have with friends as I’m developing those ideas. Writing on a new theme each
week means I’m never stuck for something to talk about and — hopefully — it
doesn’t get too boring for people to listen to!
I’ll close by thanking Aimee again. Not only for the opportunity
to collaborate as we’ve done this year but for being my blogging bestie and one
of my dearest and closest friends. It’s no hyperbole to say that without your
support, Aimee, I wouldn’t still be blogging, and my life would be much the
poorer. Thank you!
Steph Edusei
RELATING
TO: A LITTLE BOOK OF LEADERSHIP LESSONS BY STEPH EDUSEI | I'm NOT Disordered
Working together on A Little Book of Leadership
Lessons has been a real highlight for me this year. I loved how thoughtfully
you approached the themes in the book, and how naturally your questions drew
out the deeper purpose behind the project. What I enjoyed most was the
authenticity of the conversation and the way you used your platform to make
leadership feel accessible, human, and relevant to your audience. It meant a
great deal to see the book resonating with readers through your lens.
A significant milestone for me personally was
seeing A Little Book of Leadership Lessons reach its first major readership
milestone and receiving messages from people sharing how the book had supported
their own leadership journeys. Hearing how it has influenced their confidence,
clarity, and approach to leading others has been incredibly meaningful. It
reaffirmed exactly why I wrote the book and stands out as one of the most
rewarding moments of my year.
Jack Wilson
I was so
privileged that you agreed to let me do my guest blog post about my mental
health journey over the past few years and leading up to my ADHD and ASD Level
1 diagnoses. It really helped me personally to get it down on paper everything
I have discovered and learned about myself over these years and be able to
hopefully help other people in similar situations as me. It has started new
conversations around what adjustments I can start learning about to support me
going forward and to be unapologetically me! Without you and I'm Not
Disordered I wouldn't have the outlet for thoughts, feelings, and
experiences like this, so I am forever grateful to you Aimee!
It has been a whirlwind of a year, I know we all say, 'where have the past 12 months gone', but seriously, I have never known a year like it! From the diagnoses, to starting my new role as a Cat Care Volunteer at Cats Protection Tyneside Adoption Centre, this is the first year in a long time I feel proud about my decisions, my choices and who I am as a whole. However, the one thing that has been truly the most special this year is the fact Spencer (my fiancé) and myself have fully planned our wedding in like 3 months, starting from nothing to now knowing we are having the most special celebration of our love in the new year. It truly is the most wonderful and fulfilling feeling one can have!
2026 looks bright and yes there will be ups and downs, but going forward as the new Mr and Mr Wilson, there is nothing that can get in our way and we get to live our happiest and best lives together, as Husband and Husband!
__________________________________
PS. Have you noticed the blog's new, temporary logo? I'm celebrating I'm NOT Disordered's upcoming 13th Birthday with daily content over on the blog's Instagram: I'm NOT Disordered (@imnotdisordered) • Instagram photos and videos