I'd like to ask the forum if anyone has any idea or experience in setting up a social group (not online, not for profit, nothing to do with swinging or business) .
My mother is very lonely but won't go out at all, because she has a body-image problem and feels embarrassed in social situations, like shopping, etc.
She refuses to go anywhere where there's a risk she might be humiliated. I took her to the market last year, and a complete stranger - a stall holder - was abusive to her because of the way she looked.
Now she is at a point where if I can't do something for her to get out of the house, I don't know what's going to happen.
I need to give her something to look forward to, maybe twice a month. She says she'd like to go to some sort of group, where they have guest speakers, and she could chat to other people, people similar to herself, who she feels wouldn't look down on her.
I was talking to some work colleagues and they said ooh we feel exactly the same - if only there were a group for people like us, definitely not dating, but where we could go in an afternoon, have a cup of tea and talk to other similar people.
So I said I'd think about setting one up.
I'd like to ask the forum for any ideas, suggestions, etc.
Has anyone started a social meeting group? Were there any pitfalls, was it worth it or was it grief-ridden?
If I did start the group, I would somehow have to make it so that the members were of a similar body-image - any ideas on how would I go about that?
Any suggestions/ideas gratefully received :smile:
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A new social group - any ideas?
Sex God
That's a tough one Cherry and I'm not sure I have anything to add off the top of my head but I'll have a poke round up here and see if there's anything similar and let you know.
Your mum is a lucky lady.
Your mum is a lucky lady.
hmmm... social groups with specific agendas to suit can be dificult to find, fund, or organise with enough numbers to merit the continuation of the group itsself.
without going into detail, it appears as if you Mother may have very specific needs posibly compounded over time. These things together may make the requirements from a group quite high, and her need for a feeling of safety and trust within the group needing some time to build.
Give me a while, you may have a PM incoming
lp
without going into detail, it appears as if you Mother may have very specific needs posibly compounded over time. These things together may make the requirements from a group quite high, and her need for a feeling of safety and trust within the group needing some time to build.
Give me a while, you may have a PM incoming
lp
Sex God
It may be worth looking at local luncheon clubs or over-50s clubs.
Am not saying they'd suit your mum, but contacting them may give you some pointers. We have both running out of our local church. They are not religious groups, but they use the parish centre as their base.
Am not saying they'd suit your mum, but contacting them may give you some pointers. We have both running out of our local church. They are not religious groups, but they use the parish centre as their base.
Nola hit my idea on the head!
Church groups are fantastic for support, you do not even have to believe to be taken in to the fold, so to speak!
There are support groups for what I think you are illuding to Cherry, some times outsiders are the best folk to help others, and not immediate family!
(typed with experience!)
All the best x
Church groups are fantastic for support, you do not even have to believe to be taken in to the fold, so to speak!
There are support groups for what I think you are illuding to Cherry, some times outsiders are the best folk to help others, and not immediate family!
(typed with experience!)
All the best x
Sex God
Local WI, library, university may all have open meetings / talks for people to join in with.
Sex God
Definitely the WI. A lovely bunch of women (in my experience as a previous member).
They are tremendously supportive and each session has a guest speaker so the focus is away from the group for most of the session anyway. If you would like more details of the goings on please feel free to pm me.
They are tremendously supportive and each session has a guest speaker so the focus is away from the group for most of the session anyway. If you would like more details of the goings on please feel free to pm me.
Wow Cherry, sorry to hear that, people are so insensitive to others and have no idea what harm a throw away comment can do. makes me very sad.
Anyway a few suggestions, Townswomens guilds, WI, hospital visiting groups (the ones that sit with elderly who have no family) and lastly have you tried typing into google the thing she is sensitive about? there may be a local support group that could help.
Anyway a few suggestions, Townswomens guilds, WI, hospital visiting groups (the ones that sit with elderly who have no family) and lastly have you tried typing into google the thing she is sensitive about? there may be a local support group that could help.
Sex God
i totally understand how your mum is feeling i had much the same problem years ago where the abuse i got from people over my size it made me at one point unable to join in any social situations i hated going anywhere the only place i felt confident was at work i know that may sound mad but felt accepted there i am a hairdresser and felt that my clients wouldn't keep returning if they didn't accept me for who i am not wat i look like
my husband kept gently reassuring me i was a good person and he loved me just the way i am and that there were plenty of good people out there that would also accept me no matter wat size i was and slowly but surely i started to believe himso much so i finally agreed to dip my toe into swinging which to my complete surprise brought on my self confidence in leaps and bounds especially once i discovered BBW groups where there were loads of big girls just like me
so i for one think that a group would do your mum the world of good, to find others just like yourself and to know that you can feel good about yourself no matter wat you look like is a wonderfull thing
i now have more self confidence than i ever thought possable and now when i hear the comments people say to try and hurt me it just goes right over my head i no longer care wat others think of my body its my body and i love it and if they can't be bothered to get to know me just because i wobble well then they are the ones missing out not me
so go for it cherry hun i hope you find something for your mum and i truelly hope you get to see her self confidence soar
:rose: :rose:
my husband kept gently reassuring me i was a good person and he loved me just the way i am and that there were plenty of good people out there that would also accept me no matter wat size i was and slowly but surely i started to believe himso much so i finally agreed to dip my toe into swinging which to my complete surprise brought on my self confidence in leaps and bounds especially once i discovered BBW groups where there were loads of big girls just like me
so i for one think that a group would do your mum the world of good, to find others just like yourself and to know that you can feel good about yourself no matter wat you look like is a wonderfull thing
i now have more self confidence than i ever thought possable and now when i hear the comments people say to try and hurt me it just goes right over my head i no longer care wat others think of my body its my body and i love it and if they can't be bothered to get to know me just because i wobble well then they are the ones missing out not me
so go for it cherry hun i hope you find something for your mum and i truelly hope you get to see her self confidence soar
:rose: :rose:
Quote by Cherrytreehi cherry my mum was very much the same untill i got her to age concern , they have groups allmost everyday and hot food and good company all folks there are the same age , she now cant keep away worth a try good luck ..steve
I'd like to ask the forum if anyone has any idea or experience in setting up a social group (not online, not for profit, nothing to do with swinging or business) .
My mother is very lonely but won't go out at all, because she has a body-image problem and feels embarrassed in social situations, like shopping, etc.
She refuses to go anywhere where there's a risk she might be humiliated. I took her to the market last year, and a complete stranger - a stall holder - was abusive to her because of the way she looked.
Now she is at a point where if I can't do something for her to get out of the house, I don't know what's going to happen.
I need to give her something to look forward to, maybe twice a month. She says she'd like to go to some sort of group, where they have guest speakers, and she could chat to other people, people similar to herself, who she feels wouldn't look down on her.
I was talking to some work colleagues and they said ooh we feel exactly the same - if only there were a group for people like us, definitely not dating, but where we could go in an afternoon, have a cup of tea and talk to other similar people.
So I said I'd think about setting one up.
I'd like to ask the forum for any ideas, suggestions, etc.
Has anyone started a social meeting group? Were there any pitfalls, was it worth it or was it grief-ridden?
If I did start the group, I would somehow have to make it so that the members were of a similar body-image - any ideas on how would I go about that?
Any suggestions/ideas gratefully received :smile:
