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Feedback from beginners workshop (May 2016)

Posted by James S on 22/5/2016, 4:01 pm

Hi all,

Back today from the beginners workshop.

Firstly I want say how great the volunteers were. Not only did they create a very relaxed atmosphere among a group of anxious strangers, they are knowledgeable, patient and, being recovering sufferers of AP themselves, very sympathetic. I can't begin to say how grateful I am for their time.

Secondly. The other sufferers attending the workshop. A wide cross section of people but all had one in thing in common, AP, and all contributed to a very positive and friendly atmosphere. Thanks guys.

Anyway. It took me nearly 10 years to come to beginners class (having suffered for about 25 yrs in total). I'm very glad I did.

I learned so much about AP, from the volunteers and from other suffers. It was eye opening. I can't say too much about the details of the workshop but if anyone has fears or doubts about going, please do go.

It is important to say I am not recovered. One weekend isn't enough. I have mild-ish AP, cubicles are fine, urinals are just about ok if empty. However following the workshop I feel I am armed with a "toolbox" to set me on the road to recovery. I have a way now to progress.

So very positive.

If you are thinking of going to a workshop but are (very reasonably) anxious, please do go to one.

Incidentally I am interested in finding a pee-buddy, particularly if you are in or near South West London or the Waterloo/Canary Wharf areas, or if there is group in London joining to work on desensing and supporting each other I would be interested in meeting up.

James

Re: Feedback from beginners workshop (May 2016)

Posted by Nigel on 23/5/2016, 8:27 pm, in reply to "Feedback from beginners workshop (May 2016)"

Hi James, and all.

I couldn't agree more. The guys at the workshop were great, both the volunteers and the guys attending.

I've had AP since I was 8, now 42, as a result of which I haven't socialised in the last 3years. I was apprehensive attending the workshop and being amoungst others for a whole weekend. Within a short period of attending the workshop I began to feel more relaxed thanks to the volunteers.

Over the course of the workshop I achieved more than I could of hoped. I always used cubicles before, and wouldn't dream of standing at a urinal, even if no-one else was around. If I did try I would be shaking and panicking and end up using a cubicle. After one workshop I'm now going straight to the urinal and remaining fairly calm (3 times so far), no-one else has been around which has just been down to chance.

Attending the workshop has given me the tools to progress forward and made me more positive, I've still got a way to go.

Its good knowing that if I do fall backwards or hit a wall that the workshop is there.

Looking forward to attending a follow up workshop in the future. Wish I had heard of it years ago.

I recomend it to any AP sufferer.

Re: Feedback from beginners workshop (May 2016)

Posted by Jose on 24/5/2016, 3:23 pm, in reply to "Re: Feedback from beginners workshop (May 2016)"

Nigel, James.
It was very good to meet you and the rest of the participants.
As you were, I was also extremely anxious about coming to the workshop, the volunteers and the rest of the attendants immediately put me at rest. I might have been lucky, as I ended up sharing the weekend with a great bunch of people, but I suspect that it is not down to luck at all but to the very good organisation of the workshops.
As James suggested, if you are reading this and have any doubts about attending, make yourself a huge favour and do sign yourself in. You might not be immediately cured (although, who's to know...) but I just came back from a little walk around my local high street where I used the urinals! Twice! (ok, I was on my own, but still, I didn´t even know they existed as I would have never looked at them!). You might guess how chuffed I feel with myself...
This weekend has been great, and I feel that I have something to use in my fight against this condition, no doubt if I keep strong I´ll continue to improve.
Thank you so much to the volunteers and my fellow participants.
Best wishes to all

Re: Feedback from beginners workshop (May 2016)

Posted by Phil on 24/5/2016, 6:21 pm, in reply to "Re: Feedback from beginners workshop (May 2016)"

I would echo what the other guys have already said. Really appreciate the time, patience and understanding of the volunteers and the participants. For me the main benefits were realising I wasn't the only person suffering from AP and that there is a road to recovery, albeit no overnight cure. Having put up with it for about 35 years I finally feel I'm doing something about it.
If anyone is having doubts, don't. It's well worth the effort.

Re: Feedback from beginners workshop (May 2016)

Posted by David on 24/5/2016, 6:51 pm, in reply to "Re: Feedback from beginners workshop (May 2016)"

To add another voice, 100% agree with what's been written by the other guys on the workshop last weekend. Like many others, it took me a long time to commit to going. I thought I would be uniquely "unhelpable" and nearly turned back more than once, but I couldn't be happier I didn't. If you go and have anything like the experience I did, you'll be surrounded by a bunch of normal blokes of all different ages and from across the UK and abroad, and you'll leave having surprised yourself by what you can do when you put your mind to it.

Re: Feedback from beginners workshop (May 2016)

Posted by Nigel on 24/5/2016, 8:48 pm, in reply to "Re: Feedback from beginners workshop (May 2016)"

Not sure if allowed to ask this on here, already thinking about attending the follow up workshop, wondered if anyone else from this months beginners workshop was thinking the same? Be good to see a familiar face.

Re: Feedback from beginners workshop (May 2016)

Posted by Finlay on 24/5/2016, 9:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Feedback from beginners workshop (May 2016)"

Hi all,

Agree with everything that's been said - the workshop was so useful and can't thank the leaders enough for giving up their time to help. They really did a great job. It was great to meet all the guys and hear their stories, most of which i could relate to. Just feeling able to talk about my AP openly was a massive step.

I found out about the workshop about 2 years ago and it took me until now to convince myself to come along (helped along by the thought of an impending stag do!). So glad I went for it - it's given me not only the tools to help start the process of overcoming AP but also the confidence to actually do it rather than just avoid it as i have been doing before.

So if you are in the same position and debating whether to come along - please do, it can only be a positive step!

Nigel - I haven't checked out the dates yet but leaning towards coming for the follow-up.

Re: Feedback from beginners workshop (May 2016)

Posted by Jonathan on 26/5/2016, 10:32 pm, in reply to "Re: Feedback from beginners workshop (May 2016)"

Thanks all for taking the time to share your positive experiences of the workshop here :-) Just to confirm, the next London Follow-up Workshop takes place on 15-17 July 2016 (details are pinned to the top of the Message Index Page above). Hope to see some of you then, or at a later Follow-up Workshop. Stay positive!

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