Hello my name is Robert Glenton and I am a Service User Facilitator for Upbeat. Upbeat is a service user led social group for people with a diagnosis of personality disorder. At the group we seek to break-down barriers and increase social inclusion. People with personality disorders are at a higher risk of being marginalised by services, and by the wider society. Personality disorders, refer to a broad range of mental health disorders, such as Borderline Personality Disorder also known as Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder. People with personality disorders often have complex mental health needs as they have problems with past traumas, often experience high rates of self-harm, suicidal thoughts and attempts, mood swings, entrenched patterns of distorted thinking, and problems with self-image. Upbeat have trained service user facilitators which offer their expertise to professionals on how to work with and effectively engage people with this condition. I will be talking about what personality disorders are, my experience of living with this condition and positive tips that everyone can use to promote positive well-being, self-soothe and build emotional resilience.
Upbeat is part of a wider mental health well-being centre, called ‘Involve@Lincoln’. On our stand we have information about the groups which operate from the building, Including Mint Lane Café which offer friendship through food. The café use surplus food to offer affordable food in a friendly environment. The café is largely run by volunteers and aims to encourage social inclusion and promote positive mental well-being.
Also at the centre, Let Them Eat Cake, which offers food and essentials to rough sleepers. Lincoln Trauma Centre which offers low cost counselling and group work, as well as training people on ways to effectively engage people who self-harm
The centre has a daily social drop in group which is called Renew where by people with mental health problems can meet like minded people and reduce social isolation. This is a peer led social group, that also run outings and external social activities.
The Centre is based at:
