Volunteer Series: New Frontiers

Sophie Isaacson

This new series on Fearless volunteers gives writers, artists and partner organisations an opportunity to share why they choose to work with us. Most often, we know people want to be part of Fearless to pay forward support that made all the difference to them during a time of mental health challenge. The knowledge that a simple act of sharing powerfully breaks down the stigma positioning people in dangerous isolation and reducing our connections to one another is a beautiful, essential thing.

The increase in progressive social enterprises like Fearless Femme – businesses prioritising social change instead of profit – is expanding volunteering opportunities so people can increasingly align values, passions and work. So what do we know for sure about volunteering? Well, we know volunteering in a sector you want to work in puts important experience on CVs and builds confidence with entering the workforce as a young person or a returner. We also know through scientific research that altruism actually increases happiness, so volunteering with the specific aim of helping others benefits our own wellbeing too. As the UK’s Mental Health Foundation charity so aptly puts it, ‘doing good does you good’.

One of our volunteer writers, the multi-talented Sophie Isaacson, who’s given us insight on everything from period poverty to major relocations, shares here what working with Fearless has meant to her journey of self-belief and overcoming anxiety around her own intelligence and ability to speak up.

I’ve always had an interest in mental health. It’s in the family. I spent the first five years of my life in a rural, outdoor activity centre located in an unbelievably remote glen in the highlands. As well as hosting guests from all over the world we also welcomed groups of people struggling with mental health challenges of varying degrees from all around the country. it was the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s and for that time it was a an ahead-of-its-time, progressive project. My grandfather was a big thinker with bright ideas and my grandmother is one of the toughest and hardest working people I’ve ever met. She was so resilient and whenever I feel like I’m having a hard time I think of what my granny did every day; she is one of by biggest heroes, alongside my mum.

Throughout my career I’ve always gravitated towards mental health and young people; it felt like a natural place for me and I honestly find it so upsetting that many people feel they can’t talk about their mental health. I mean the first thing we say when we greet almost anyone at any given time is “hey, how are you?” Why then does our society not allow us to feel comfortable to say “I’m alright, but I’m struggling a little bit with a low mood” or “I have my period so i’m a bit emotional but i’m working on it.”

“I noticed Fearless Femme early on in their development process. I was that overly eager, geeky girl waiting to get writing. Finally, I saw an outlet to begin writing about all of the things I had seen through my years of youth work”

 

All I can say is that every day I see attitudes changing in a positive direction; dialogue is opening up and barriers are being broken down and it’s like watching a beautiful sunrise. This is where Fearless Femme comes in. I noticed Fearless Femme early on in their development process. I was that overly eager, geeky girl waiting to get writing. Finally, I saw an outlet to begin writing about all of the things I had seen through my years of youth work; all of the feelings and inadequacies I’d felt throughout my teens and early twenties. iI began pouring my heart out and I noticed myself developing a style and really finding my voice. I’ve always had a complex with my own intelligence, for as long as i can remember. I’ve never felt clever enough but had always dreamt of being an academic. I’ve been hungry to learn since I was tiny, but I’ve never felt like I know enough to warrant speaking up.

After I had my baby boy I lost my confidence even more and these feelings escalated. I really struggled with my new role as mummy and had lost the comfortable identity which my job gave me. I’d known my work inside out, I knew I was good at it and suddenly I felt like I was on a rollercoaster which I couldn’t get off.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my little boy and he is my world now, but the pregnancy wasn’t planned and everything I knew had changed. Motherhood is hard and full of scary moments and learning on the job with very little guidance… that on top of being exhausted made me feel small and incapable of standing up for myself. As time went on I did begin to reclaim some normality. I slowly started working again and moved into a new priorities. It was difficult, I was on my own, working hard and for almost a year my little boy woke up at 4:15 am every day. Every bloody day! But we were fine and we were growing together, singing songs, adventuring and with every article i wrote for Fearless Femme I felt my confidence growing; I saw people reacting to my words and even maybe being inspired by my ideas and experiences! I was so excited that my words might even help others!

Motherhood is hard and full of scary moments and learning on the job with very little guidance…

 

After having three articles published by the amazing Fearless Femme team, I got chatting to someone who was making a TV program who wanted to give Scottish people a voice to talk about current issues in the world. It was early days but she asked if i’d like to get involved.

Of course at first the little voice in the back of my head said, “no, don’t, you don’t have anything to say that people want to hear, you’re not smart enough to speak on camera”, but i worked through it. I read articles and researched. I agreed to meet the film crew and we recorded a pilot show. Getting my thoughts out there was energising and I felt light and free. I held onto that feeling and signed myself up to start a degree. I’m now studying alongside my work and have even just trained as the first instructor for i-act Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing in Scotland. I still battle with my confidence every day and try to read as much as I can to keep my brain learning and working. Recently, I even met a new partner, someone amazing; it was something that I didn’t think would ever happen for me, at least not for a long time and I started to feel positive about my own future.

I have my happiness and self-care routine well practised and my little boy and partner drive me to push myself constantly as I want to be the best version of myself possible for them, and for me. The Fearless Femme movement can and does change lives. The team are supportive and nurturing and Fearless Femme has helped to restore my self-belief and has given me a voice. I’m braver now and feel like I can inspire my son to change the world in whichever amazing way he decides to.