Golden Thread

Weave in and out, across, up and down,

interweaving experiences of people, all around,

sew neat golden buttons, equally distanced from one another,

places to gather, to listen, to speak to each other.

As conversations embark, on a journey towards togetherness,

Cymru Am Byth, sparks the question, who will remember us?

Somebody stands up, says,

‘Those that matter,

but it does not matter truly,

what is important, is that we support each other through and through, we’ve,

got to be like weaving material through the eye of the needle,

you see, what we need is us, the eyes of the people,

the voices of the people, equal opportunity,

checking in on one another, how can we improve, be like kevlar have stronger unity?

Elasticity, the ability to stretch our limits,

adapt to change, while still uplifting spirits,

cause I’ve seen us together passionate, heartfelt, the eye of the Tiger,

We stand stronger united, even when life gets rocky, we are fighters,

for our family, our friends, you and me,

putting the world to rights over a warm cuppa tea,

I guess what I mean is we want to live together, free and happily,

we are the golden threads of our very own tapestry,

each thread unique, each thread a masterpiece,

supported by the Regional Partnership the badge sewed on to a much larger piece,

that represents the good times, the hard times, to the nitty gritty,

if it rips, we can fix it with a stitch, sew or knit, it’s I, you, we,

cause together we create the fabric of community.’

Walk In the Rain

Verse 1

Bbm/Ebm/Ab/Dbmaj7

Some days I feel isolated

nowhere to go,

Some nights I’m alienated,

a scared UFO

Unidentified fragile object,

Petrified of other life,

Terrified whether they even like me,

Who am I?

Verify am I alive?

Sometimes my mind is numb,

Sometimes my mind is done,

Am I dumb?

I need Mum?

I slump myself so low I’m landfill,

It’s deeper than being down in the dumps,

And when you’ve sunk as much as me,

your lungs lose some of its capacity,

Can’t breathe, under the rubble it’s a struggle trying juggle all the junk,

While others complain my face is in a scrunch,

I don’t frown cause I got the hump,

I don’t clown around to have some fun,

Playing different characters like Professor Klump,

I’m trying to disguise the lump in my throat,

I want to cry on the outside, but I just don’t,

I never wanna jump for the rope,

All I ask is for some hope.

Chorus

Bbm

I wanna be right here right now,

Ebm/Bbm

As I walk in the rain,

Ebm/Bbm

It’s allowing my mood to change

Gb/ Bbm

And meditate my way

Gb/ Bbm

And meditate my way

Gb/Bbm

Medication ain’t the only way

Verse 2

Bbm/Ebm/Ab/Dbmaj7

Raindrops dripping on the windowpane,

I remember skimming pebbles on a winter’s day,

The weather made me feel alive in a fountain of pain,

I climb the gradual incline of the mountain ingrained in my brain,

I’m in hiking apparel, I’m liking how I’m finally walking out of my shadow,

It’s exciting when I open my peripherals,

What I can see instead of having narrow vision,

I’m out today I’m not hidden,

I meet friends, leave home,

Get out of my comfort zone,

My anxiety temporarily goes,

Conversation flows,

I no longer straddle alone.

But I do put pressure on myself,

My to do list stretches to the Alps,

If I don’t do it, it messes with my mental health,

And income the mental doubts.

I need a to dar list so I,

Can see how much I’ve achieved how far I’ve climbed,

I need treat myself like I treat my friends,

Be kind to my mind,

I said, I need treat myself like I treat my friends,

Be kind to my mind.

Chorus

I need a social prescription

As I navigate the pain

It’s allowing my mood to change

And meditate my way

And meditate my way

Medication ain’t the only way

Verse 3

Trying to get support is a post code lottery,

If I win, I’d implement a social policy,

We need to be vocal honestly,

We need National help, that starts with local priorities.

More appropriate provisions,

Fed up of the division,

Fed of GPS who when I beg are indifferent,

As they refuse to believe I have a mental health condition,

And even if they do, they offer medication,

I need other therapies like meditation,

Social prescribing,

No more online subscribing,

Real human interaction,

Voice 1

I used to look forward to work. Sometimes we’d see a show

afterwards. My time was my own and I never felt bad about it.

Voice 2

It’s great when mum’s doing well, it makes dad happy too. It feels

like the worlds spinning right. I’m excited to see where life takes

me.

Voice 1

Now caring is my job, where’s my annual leave? Where’s my

overtime? I’ve given up my life so that she can have hers. I’m

exhausted, they say I’ve lost my zest. I was happy before I was a

carer, and I feel guilty saying that. I don’t know what my role is. I’m

doing more than ‘just being a dad’. I care for others but nobody

cares for me.

Voice 2

Today is not so good. It could be a while until things change. I

worry about my brother and sister. I know people can help, I just

don’t know where they are. Earth’s not spinning today.

Voice 1

But tomorrow will be better. I’ll be leading my team, and they’ll

listen to me. I’ll have my life back, friends around me, I’ve got the

afternoon free!. I’ll proudly tell people ‘I’m a carer’, but it won’t be

my whole life. We’ll think about the future, mine and my son’s, and

maybe even look forward to them.

Voice 2

Tomorrow, help will be in front of me. I’ll know where to find it, and I

won’t have to fight for it. I’ll take on what I can, but when I need

help I’ll just pick up the phone. I know my team and they know me,

we’re in this together, an extended family. And I talk to other carers

sometimes, it’s still a bit lonely but at least we’re alone together.

V1

In my mind, I’m always alone (C/F/C)

Surrounded by people but I don’t feel at home (C/F/C)

Stuck- in my head (Am- C)

I may as well be dead (Am- C)

Pre Chorus

I feel like the only one (Am/C)

Am I the only one (F/C)

Chorus

Look up, look down, (E 1st inv, Am, B, C)

Look all around

Where are the services (F)

They can’t be found (C)

Stuck in a rut

Does anyone care?

I’m looking for my road to somewhere

Looking my road to somewhere

V2

We are all human

We need to be kind

I need connection to step out of my mind

A smile at a stranger could change someone’s day

Doesn’t cost anything to simply say ‘Hey’.

Pre Chorus

I still feel I’m the only one (Am/C)

I can’t be the only one (F/C)

Chorus

Look up, look down, (E 1st inv, Am, B, C)

Look all around

Where are the services (F)

They could be found (C)

Destination

Chorus:

               C                        G

I’m not broken, I just need some help

        Em                                       D

I’m not a bad person, this is mental health

        C                                G

I need your trust, so show me care,

         Em                                       C

I can’t fall down the cracks if they’re not there

Spoken word verse 1: D, Em G, C, C

Please do not judge us,

Don’t treat us like a label that’s left

On the side gathering dust,

We are people to, and we need to have your trust,

To listen to our stories show support and comfort us.

Spoken word verse 2:

Cause life is tough,

Waking up with the shakes,

My gears are stuck,

I’m a car without brakes, 

I’m feeling numb,

Trying to break away,

But they keep saying I’m not bad enough,

So how can I be saved?

They keep telling me,

If I don’t get off the booze they’ll keep repelling me?

Then the cycle is continued,

A catch 22,

They need to treat us holistically,

But don’t get misconstrued,

Substance abuse effects more than just a few, it’s true,

Concerned others are neglected,

7 more people effected,

You see mental health and substance misuse is connected,

Where is the education,

Where is the community support

We need motivation,

Why is the pub one of the only social hubs?

We need no alcohol clubs, pubs and places to get some grub?

Chorus:

               C                        G

I’m not broken, I just need some help

        Em                                       D

I’m not a bad person, this is mental health

        C                                G

I need your trust, so show me care,

         Em                                       C

I can’t fall down the cracks if they’re not there

Spoken word verse 3:

Peer pressure, is beer pressure,

How is my fear measured?

When people think I’m boring,

Cause I don’t consume a certain measure,

Fed up of being told I lack motivation, DNA,

I may have addiction, but I’ve not gone astray,

Other things happen in my life but please let me say,

Determination is in my veins, within my DNA,

I walk into a building and I’m offered alcohol gel,

They talk about equality, why can’t they take the alcohol out,

Instead of me explaining about my alcohol hell,

Things like this we nee

Verse 1

Flowing, twisting round the bend

Slowly discovering who I am

In the distance, dark clouds are forming

Could this, could this be a warning

Pre-chorus 1                           

Storm overwhelming, raining, pouring

Lightening Striking and thunder roaring

Crisis is here, my banks are breaking

Chorus 1

Which way will I turn, and where will I go?

All choices seem lost to me       

Who will come and hear my plea

How much longer must I wait?

I feel like I’m bursting,

It won’t be long till I’m overflowed,

I just need some hope

Verse 2

I’m forever changing, my path is my own

I don’t fit into a box, show me where I need to go,

I can’t do this alone, come help this river grow

Restore my banks, repair my soul

Return me to a steady flow

Pre-chorus 2

Storm withdrawing, rain stops pouring

Sun is shining a new day dawning

Crisis adverted, my banks are blooming

Chorus 2

I know where to turn, I know where to go 

Choices are open to me

You came and listened to my plea

No longer have to wait

I feel heard and restored

I feel I can go on some more

Now hope is at my door (x3)

Listen to songwriter Erin Williams Jones and Jo Bendon, Implementation Lead for Whole School Approach in Emotional Health and Wellbeing in Cwm Taf Morgannwg.

In 2021, the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Partnership Board held a hack-a-thon to explore emotional health and wellbeing.  

One of the groups, including Erin and Jo,  wrote a song called The River, which focuses on mental health support.  

Erin and Jo explain the meaning of the song in the podcast. 

Know my Story

Verse

              G                                      C

We’re going to the top, we’re knocking on the door

          D                                         G

It started with a doorbell, but we need so much more

   G                                            C

Sick of chasing all the time for basic human rights

       D                         C                     G

Dementia’s taking more than one identity

Chorus:

    C                                G

People with dementia are still people first

           D                                           C                        G

Don’t write us off as old, some are young or getting worse

      C                                        D

Worked and live all our lives, paid our tax and worked our time

        Em      D                 C

How little do you know about me?

         C               D              G

Know my story and you’ll know me

Verse 2:

    G                                           C

You can’t spell dementia without I or Me

          D                                         G

So focus on the person who’s still here

   G                                                          C

Come back in time to where I am, don’t drag me to your place 

      D            C                     G

Comfort me and dispel my fear

Chorus:

    C                                G

People with dementia are still people first

           D                                           C                        G

Don’t write us off as old, some are young or getting worse

OLDER PERSON:

Today’s the day, I’m going home

But home is not the same

Or is it me that’s changed?

My steps are now a challenge

I can’t walk without a frame.

Once my home was safety

But now it causes pain.

I want to feel secure, it’s embarrassing to explain

My home should be my safe space

My comfort place

But now we both have changed.

The silence here is deafening

My thoughts are rushing, loud

I need someone to help me

Go shopping, go to town

The thoughts come loud and rushing

The fear of the unknown.

My daughter is so kind, but she has a life of her own.

Everyone says they’re on the end of the phone

But you don’t want to be a bother

Even if you feel alone.

And now there is a sea of time 

Rushing at me, loud

I used to dream of having time

I’m drowning in it now.

Refrain

It’s my life

It’s my home

I can do things on my own

But I can’t do this alone

CARER:

How can I help them feel at home?

How do I make them smile?

I feel like I’m not doing enough

But costs and rulebooks make it tough.

I try to give them good support

I break down barriers, build rapport

Try to give them time and thought.

Give them time to make their choices.

Manage expectations with limited resources.

OLDER PERSON 

I’ve got some people coming round

What will they be like?

I know I need a helping hand

I’m frightened they won’t understand

Come in and out, like buses

A different one each day?

What will my neighbours say?

My home should be my safe space

My comfort place

But now we both have changed.

I need somehow to tell them that I can still be me.

I might make bad decisions, but I have capacity.

Presume I can before I can’t, respect my right to be free.

I’m more than my support needs

I’m not another problem to be added to a list.

I don’t want to be a burden

I’m made from more than this.

Please talk to me, please listen. 

Don’t make assumptions- help me make decisions.

I am the decision maker.

My life, my home.

Musical interlude

OLDER PERSON

I’m looking forward to my mid-morning treat.

A chat, a cup of tea and something to eat.

Kyle’s a cheeky lad, but he’s always got time for me.

His weekend stories make me feel young.

He brightens up my day, like sun.

We always have a lot of fun.

He listens when I need something done.

I needn’t have been worried, he makes me feel at home

My home is still my safe space

My comfort place

Even though we have both changed.