THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO NETWORKING | IN COLLABORATION WITH TYNESIDE CATS PROTECTION | SUMMER OPEN DAY 2025

“Social networking is playing a huge role in creating awareness and mobilizing support for all kinds of common interests. What better way to use this remarkable tool than to change the world?”

Natalie Portman

You may remember a few weeks ago, I published a blog post titled: ‘The Importance of Peer Support in Mental Health’ (you can read it here) as pre-event content in the run-up to the Summer Open Day of my local Cat Protection’s Adoption Centre (Tyneside). Well, I promised you all another collaboration piece after the event so that you could see the photos and videos from the afternoon and read more some of the cats that the charity said myself and my two best-friends (Jack and Spencer) could visit. In this piece, I realised that – according to my search in my content archives – I’ve actually never done a blog post completely about networking (it’s typically just been mentioned in other posts) and I thought it was a great angle to use that would also work in introducing you to the three cats we actually networked(!) with too… Ps. There’s a YouTube video at the end of the piece too!

HOW TO LAND A COLLABORATION | FOUR TOP TIPS

After attending the Richmond Fellowship Working Together Committee meeting on January 24^th, it got me thinking a lot about all of the collaborations I’ve had with organizations. And now that I’m NOT Disordered has almost half a million readers, I feel like maybe now is the right time to share some advice for new Bloggers and current Bloggers who aren’t as established as they’d like to be. I won’t pretend to be an expert though; there are so many Bloggers out there who are doing some incredible work with huge organizations, but I think that in the Blogging industry, there’s a lot around competition and tearing one another down in order to climb the ladder and I don’t want to be one of those Bloggers. Instead, I want to promote the positive impact Blogging can have on your mental health and encourage others to ‘give it a go.’ I’d love to see more mental health Blogs out there so that we can spread the word about the topic in an aim to diminish the stigma around it. Collaborating with Organizations also provides this opportunity and it has played a huge part in the success/popularity of I’m NOT Disordered.

24HRS WITH... ME!

24 hours with... me!

Date: Thursday June 7^th 2018

Why have you chosen to write about today?

A ton of amazing things happened!

Good morning!



What time did you wake up?

10am


Why did you wake up at that time?

I had a support session with my worker from Richmond Fellowship at 11am



Did you have a dream?

Not that I remember.

WEGO HEALTH AWARDS

Thank you to everyone who’s voted so far!

To nominate me/I’m NOT Disordered for the category ‘Best In Show: Blog’ please visit:

https://awards.wegohealth.com/nominees/12376

WHY WE SHOULD ALL HAVE A ROLE MODEL

When I first started blogging there were three mental health blogs out there: one by a ex-service user, another by a mental health nurse, and one by a Police Officer with an interest in mental health. I was (to my knowledge) the only inpatient to be blogging. Looking back, I guess it makes sense that I was kind of floundering in my first year or so with I’m NOT Disordered; I had no one to look up to, no one to find inspiration in, no one to aspire to.

BLOWING YOUR TRUMPET IN THE BLOGGING WORLD

Join me for a chat about how essential it is to blow your own trumpet when trying to move up the ladder in the blogging world.

I think that it’s something I’ve learnt through my blogging career because to get opportunities in this industry, you have to tell others about you/your blog’s achievements in order to secure collaborations and – let’s face it – gifts! Some bloggers talk about how their numbers (in so far as their amount of readers) don’t matter to them, and it’s made to sound like those who say they do are… blogging for the wrong reason, perhaps? As though you’re only blogging for popularity and not because you enjoy it or benefit from it. Of course, this isn’t true. The popularity of my blog is really important to me but those of you who know me or have followed I’m NOT Disordered for a while will know how much I enjoy blogging, all of the opportunities that come with it, and what a hugely positive impact it has on my life/mental health.

RICHMOND FELLOWSHIP WORKING TOGETHER FORUM | #RFWORKINGTOGETHERFORUM | AD

Not too long ago the Manager of my local Richmond Fellowship got in touch with me and asked if I’d like to Chair the upcoming WorkingTogether Forum. Having co-chaired the previous one, I was confident with the idea and agreed. They then told me that I’d again be co-chairing but when it came to the day the co-chair got ‘stage fright’ and I was left to chair the entire event! In addition to this, two days before the event, a group delivering one of the four workshops dropped out and I offered to help run the stand-in workshop which, we basically invented in 48 hours! So, I had many roles in this event and yes, it was stressful; but it was a nice-productive-lots-of-responsibilities-kind-of stress!

WHY WE SHOULD TALK MORE ABOUT BEAUTY PRODUCTS | GIFTED BY M&S | AD

NATIONAL SERVICE USER AWARDS 2018 | #NSUA2018

[Note to see who won each category; follow #NSUA2018 on Twitter!]

I remember when I was in Cygnet Hospital Bierley and they first mentioned the National ServiceUser Awards (NSUAs) and I couldn’t have been more interested! It was only the second time that Cygnet Healthcare had hosted the NSUAs and so there wasn’t much experience or knowledge when it came to the invitations I was involved – and by that I mean that I hand-made every single one!

The following year, I attended as a finalist alongside YoungMinds in one of the categories and we won!

So, this year, when I got told that I could have a spot doing the social media for the 2018 NSUAs I was over the moon and very excited! After many talks I was finally named the Event Blogger and then the Head of Social Media took poorly on the actual day of the Awards, I stepped up and attempted to fill his shoes with a barrage of tweets (each with the #NSUA2018 hashtag!).

TIME TO TALK DAY WITH I'M NOT DISORDERED | PART FOUR

TALKING ALL THINGS MENTAL HEALTH WITH NORTHUMBERLAND, TYNE & WEAR NHS FOUNDATION TRUST CHIEF EXECUTIVE, JOHN LAWLOR | PART ONE

TALKING ALL THINGS MENTAL HEALTH WITH NORTHUMBERLAND, TYNE & WEAR NHS FOUNDATION TRUST CHIEF EXECUTIVED, JOHN LAWLOR | PART TWO

HAPPY FIFTH BIRTHDAY I'M NOT DISORDERED | A YEAR IN IMAGES

'The best things in life are the people we love, the places we've been, and the memories we've made along the way'

To celebrate the FIFTH year of I'm NOT Disordered being a part of mine, and so many other people's, life; here's a look back on the past year of this wild journey that's seen almost 100,000 new readers! Here's to many more posts, partnerships, collaborations, and Q&As ;)

But before we get into the photos, here's what has been posted for the past four Birthdays:

YEAR ONE: http://www.imnotdisordered.co.uk/2014/01/happy-first-birthday-im-not-disordered.html

YEAR TWO: http://www.imnotdisordered.co.uk/2015/01/happy-second-birthday-im-not-disordered.html

YEAR THREE: http://www.imnotdisordered.co.uk/2016/01/happy-third-birthday-im-not-disordered.html

YEAR FOUR: http://www.imnotdisordered.co.uk/2017/01/happy-fourth-birthday-im-not-disordered.html

And here's YEAR FIVE:

January 2017

The year began with a post to celebrate New Year and my engagement to Ronnie; as well as I’m NOT Disordered’s Fourth Birthday & a collaboration with Time To Change for #TimeToTalk Day.

BOOK REVIEW PART TWO : LINES FROM AN UNFINISHED LOVE SONG BY GAIL CURRY | Ad

Welcome back to more Lines From An Unfinished Love Song chat!!

If you don’t have a clue what I’m on about, here’s the previous three posts:

The ‘Coming-Soon’ post: http://www.imnotdisordered.co.uk/2017/09/coming-soon-line-from-unfinished-love.html

The ‘Pre-Launch’ post: http://www.imnotdisordered.co.uk/2017/10/pre-launch-ad-lines-from-unfinished.html

The ‘First-Part-of-the-Book-Review’ post: http://www.imnotdisordered.co.uk/2017/10/pre-launch-ad-lines-from-unfinished.html

I knew that the second part of Lines From An Unfinished Love Song would be difficult and perhaps upsetting to read. It wasn’t just seeing that the second part of the book was named ‘Grief, Depression & PTSD;’ but also that the first part finished with such a heart-wrenching moment in which Gail (Curry; the author) lost her wife: Lena.

This feeling only worsened when I read the first poem; ‘Lost’ and identified 100% with Gail’s words.

‘A day seems longer than a day

When the only voice that’s heard comes from inside me.’ 

FROM CELLS TO CONFERENCES | MY MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY WITH NORTHUMBRIA POLICE

'It is vital for the police to engage with representatives from all our communities. Working with Aimee has given me a clear insight into the needs and wishes of service users and how the police can best provide them with a quality of service which is both necessary and appropriate. This knowledge will then be shared with all front line officers to ensure that there is an improved understanding of how to help those who are in crisis cope with their individual circumstances and issues.

Aimee’s collaboration has been instrumental in helping to drive forward this important area of work.'

Inspector Steve Baker, Mental Health Lead, Northumbria Police

The very first time I met a Police officer, was when they sectioned me.

(s136 Mental Health Act ((MHA)) 1983)

Two of them found me in a nearby town, after having ran away from A&E to avoid life saving treatment for an overdose - my very first suicide attempt.
I heard a nurse saying 'we haven't got the staff to sit with her!' and one officer (the other was in the examination room with me) said 'don't worry, there's two Acts we can detain her under.' Then he left his colleague to stay with me, telling him 'just found out she's 18 so if she runs, it's a 136.'
Ironically, it was my policeman's first experience with section 136 too (he actually had to ask his colleague how to fill out the paperwork), I didn't know if I felt comforted knowing that I wasn't alone in this scary situation, or distressed at the thought that even a professional didn't know what was going on.
(This incidence ended with me being sectioned under section 2 of the MHA 1983)

Things have changed since then.

( I realise that's a strong statement to make and I acknowledge that some Service Users may disagree or have experienced otherwise, so I want to stress that this is based on the specific work I'm about to talk about and specifically, with Northumbria Police.)


                                                                                                     

And I've worked to help them to do so.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK - 8th - 14th May 2017 | Ad

As many of you may know, it is Mental Health Awareness Week this week (Monday 8th May - Sunday 14th May 2017)
Each year, MHAW has a special focus; last year it was on relationships, and this year it is all about how having 'good mental health' is so much more than just the fact the person does not have a 'mental health problem.'
The spin on MHAW this year, is to examine why the amount of people with 'good mental health' is so few rather than focusing on the amount of people living with mental health problems.

Over the next week, I'm NOT Disordered will be publishing posts that will give you an exclusive look into a full day in the life of a different person every day.

In addition to this, tomorrow (9th May) I (Aimee) will be attending Cygnet Healthcare's event specialising in stigma exclusively for Mental Health Awareness Week so to see everything going on at the event; just follow my Twitter: @aimes_wilson and Cygnet's

For more info PLUS resources, reading, surveys, FAQs, and to find out what's happening during MHAW in your local area - or to register your own work this week, visit the Mental Health Org site

See what I'm NOT Disordered did for Mental Health Awareness Week 2016

CONGRATULATIONS RAF HAMAIZIA

FOR YOUR

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD!!

Dear Raf,

SURPRISE!!

You're forever there for others; with an unlimited amount of support, kindness, reassurance, care, generosity, and gratitude. You make others feel better. You're the type of person (and there's not many of them) who can make others feel positive, and hopeful just from one sentence.

When I'm with you at events and conferences, I feel like I'm in the presence of a superstar!

And I'm sure you get told these sorts of things about how fantastic you are all the time so I thought that if it was in writing, for 222,000+ people to see... 1. even more people know! And 2. you can read this whenever you have a rough moment or need a pep talk!

Cygnet Recovery College @CygnetRecovery

Raf, the man that gives me more work to do every time I see him; yet I always enjoy it as we share a passion for our work. Every time I see him, he reminds me that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. It's an absolute pleasure and a privilege to get to share in his adventures.

A natural born leader and all round top bloke

Nick Horne @nhorne68

Raf's a very strong voi ce for the service user group and goes above and beyond, no matter the time or day, to put others first. His leadership and sense of humour are inspiring and infectious; and he gets others to challenge their own thinking.
A top man.

Matt O'Brien @mattofthedales

On meeting Raf two things immediately become obvious. Firstly, his absolute passion for his tireless work as an Expert by Experience. Secondly, his ability to make a connection with people from all backgrounds and immediately put them at ease. A rare skill.

Wayne Saville @wayne2183ac 

Raf has enthusiasm, passion, drive, and the commitment to improve mental health services for as many people as possible. His actions are selfless, and I recollect the first meeting I had with Raf (you were there too, Aimee) at Cygnet Bury in December (2016); Raf turned up with a car laden with chocolates and gifts for every SU on all of the 14 wards! He wanted to ensure that nobody was left out at Christmas. It took us two hours to get around all 14 wards, but boy was it worth it!
Raf is a true inspiration and role model who inspires hope in others.

Iris Benson MBE @irisbenson100

I met Raf for the first time just over a month ago; his passion is never ending, honest, and truthful. He has an amazing sense of humour. He's such a lovely, sensitive, and compassionate guy.
True authentic co-production.

Louise Bannister @BannisterLou

Raf is a man with BIG ideas and the passion and enthusiasm to drive them forward a true inspiration to our service users

Julie Kerry @Juliekerry6

For me, Raf is a leader who provides hope and believes people with shared aims can change the world

Rosalyn Mloyi @RosalynSi

Raf embodies, inspiration, innovation all which come wrapped in his infectious laugh. It's a privilege to be able to work alongside him.

Follow Raf's life and work: @Raf_Hamaizia

Rehabilitation and Recovery: New Approaches with Cygnet Healthcare | Ad

#NewApproaches

Some photography credited to Vicky McNally and Cygnet Healthcare, with all editing done by me via Moldiv

I never thought I'd say that I was excited for a conference-style event... But the New Approaches conference was being held in the same venue as a previous one, and it meant that I was staying in the same hotel; and I found all of that quite comforting. I was also looking forward to some of the talks after receiving the agenda; and the thought of meeting new people is always exciting!

Cygnet Hospital Coventry Grand Opening - A Conversation | Ad

[Note: all photos are credited to Vicky McNally and Cygnet Healthcare and Raf Hamaizia with all of them edited by myself via Moldiv]

Watch the vlog from this event here
And read the second blog post from the Grand Opening here
Read Cygnet's piece on the event here

As my car took numerous lefts and rights through a housing estate, I thought that maybe the driver was lost; Cygnet Hospital Coventry was so new that there wasn't even any signs to the building, and the driver had to use Google Maps after discovering we'd been driving in the wrong direction for ten minutes!
After yet another bend, I spotted the top of a modern, and clearly well-designed building that stood out among the terraced houses. And although, saying that the Hospital stood out and was completely different to it's surroundings, I don't think of that as a negative thing. Personally, I found that having Cygnet Hospital Bierley (where I spent over two years of my life, and 1 of the 21 Cygnet Hospitals in the U.K.) in the middle of a housing estate - but at the same time, with easy access to the motorway, supermarket and a woodland area - very motivational. For me, seeing young people in groups pass by, laughing and on their phones, was a healthy reminder that not only did life exist beyond the Hospital walls, but also; that it was reachable, in the deepest sense of the word. When freedom; from thoughts, hallucinations, and urges to self-harm, felt so far away and impossible, I could see that it actually wasn't too far.

#NEFestiveTTC16 | Ad

Note: Go to the pre-event promo to see the event poster, and to read more about my working relationship with Time To Change  .

TIME TO CHANGE'S FESTIVE NETWORKING EVENT IN THE NORTH EAST

Photography: RJ Photography

A Time To Change event, you say? 

Networking, you say? 

With 'festive' in the title?

See you there!

I believe that these networking events are so essential in spreading Time To Change's message to raise awareness of mental health stigma and the work they do to tackle it. Time To Change's Angela Slater (Regional Community Equalities Coordinator) explained that the motivation behind such events; the reason they're so essential, is because it connects people in so many different ways. Ways that can be beneficial to a lot of people. The event provided the opportunity for many organisation representatives to meet with Experts By Experience who can offer their unique skills to any mental health work; and by having a number of different groups, companies, and organisations there; connecting with one another also meant shared resources and skills, and help for one another who might be stuck for ideas, unsure on how to move forward with an idea, or just completely inexperienced in mental health work, campaigns, and events.