The Journey of Lisa Butterworth

In 2008, after moving areas with my family, I registered with my local Sure Start Children’s Centre and  enrolled onto a Health & Wellbeing course run by the AFCL.  The content for the first 6 weeks was really interesting, learning about healthy eating, getting enough sleep, the benefits of drinking water, etc.  The course then went onto a Personal Development and Self Awareness module, which then led me to Identities and the resources they provide. 

I started the Embracing Futures Programme for Women and since that first day I have never looked back.

The programme made me look at myself and how I saw myself as a woman.  What was my identity was a common question I asked myself.  This programme gave me the tools to recognise that I am a woman who has the right to her own identity and should be proud of who she is.

After spending all my childhood and teenage years being bullied for having a stammer, I had not got a lot of confidence or self esteem and was horrified by the idea of talking in front of people.

Every week on the programme my confidence grew as I learnt how to deal with my past issues and work through current problems.  There were tears of sadness, pain and laughter throughout the programme and some weeks were very emotional indeed, but I craved this as I felt myself changing so much as a person.  I began to feel better about myself and started to actually like myself.

After the programme ended, I yearned to do something that would take me completely out of my comfort zone, so I enrolled onto a PTLLS (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector) course.  Wow!, I can’t believe I actually completed this course and passed.  I had to stand up in front of everyone and present a micro teach session for 30 minutes.  I stood there and I did it and I am so proud of myself.  I was so nervous that afterwards I just cried with relief!

I stayed in contact with Identities throughout all this and did a few short workshops for creative writing and relaxation and attended their therapy days and in 2010, I joined the Identities team to produce and perform a one night show at Doncaster Little Theatre to show the journey of a woman who had lost her identity. Yet again, completely out of my comfort zone, I got up on stage and I acted a part.  Yes, that was me, the shy person with the stammer and no confidence!  I did it, and again, was so proud of myself. 

My life felt amazing and I felt such a different person.

I am on the Advanced Personal Development programme with Identities, which has brought forward lots of other unresolved past issues, but I now have the confidence and emotional stamina to deal with these.

I am currently the project worker on Identities new project called ‘It’s all about Confidence’.  This is a programme delivering confidence building and creative skills to others.  Yes, that’s right, I am standing up in front of people and delivering training. I am also joining the team again this year to produce and perform another show at the Little Theatre.

This is my journey and I can’t believe how far I have come.  I feel amazing and so much more confident.  I never thought beyond my wildest dreams I would get to this position in life.  Identities has given me the tools and confidence to know that I am a woman worthy of her own identity.  By working for them on the project I know that I am giving something back for all the help they have given me.

Identities will always have a special place in my heart as I continue my journey of self discovery.
Lisa Butterworth – 14th March 2011