Steve’s Hope story

Steve had a difficult year prior to starting the Shaw Trust Hope course. A car crash left him and his wife with lasting physical difficulties that still need ongoing treatment.

The Covid-19 pandemic also meant a long-anticipated work project overseas had to be cancelled. He was anxious and on medication from his GP when the course was suggested to him; “I’ll try anything to help” he said.

The highlight of the course for Steve was the weekly online ‘Hope Cafe’ on Teams (group video). He liked being able to see people, chat about how they had all got on with their weekly goals, and suggest ways to help overcome any setbacks they’d had. “We were all in the same boat. Maybe on a different ocean, with a different destination, but you could see - you’re not on your own.” Steve enjoyed the sociable element of the Cafe “other people took interest in me, asked if I’d done my goal. So someone was actually listening to me!”

Steve also enjoyed the “Boom and bust” element of the course, where he learned how to pace himself - not to do too much, if it meant he wouldn’t then be able to do as much as he wanted afterwards. He found that he achieved more when he alternated his chores between something more enjoyable then something less enjoyable “I’d clean my boots (chore), walk the dog (more enjoyable), then clean the dog (chore).”

Looking to the future, Steve will continue to pace his everyday activities and setting himself small, achievable goals. He has learned not to beat himself up if he’s having a bad day and doesn’t get everything done. Importantly, he is now recognising what he IS doing and HAS achieved – and rewards himself with a treat when he does do well.