Edinburgh

I had a really productive day in Edinburgh on Friday (was better than a day at work anyway!). I attended the Scottish Self-Harm Forum meeting (which I was invited to by a LifeSIGNS member). It is a forum set up in association with Penumbra (a leading Scottish mental health charity). Although not many people turned up (a lot of apologies) it was great to network with the people who were there. A lady who works for the Samaritans was particularly interested to find out about us. The Chairman Pat(rick) Little was really nice. I had a chance to talk a bit about LifeSIGNS, and gave them all leaflets! There is some fantastic work going on in Scotland – awareness about self-injury (and suicide) seems to be much higher on the agenda over there.

The National Inquiry Scottish Conference is on 6th October. I’m really annoyed that the person in charge didn’t let me know when it was, as she said she would. Anyway, I will book my place tomorrow – it will be very different from the one Sarah attended in London, as it’s the Scottish perspective. So I can see benefits of me attending, and it’ll be a great chance to network.

I met with Sandra deMunoz who works for Choose Life (suicide prevention strategy), just for a chat really to share ideas. She gave me some cute “See Me” keyrings and pens :o) She suggested we get in conatct with Susan Ramsey from “See Me” to learn more about media awareness.

Since I had time to kill I ended up in the Edinburgh Dungeon…I had no idea it was a guided tour (thought you;d just be able to wander around), so stupid me ends up on this guided tour where everyone’s in groups, and there’s me on my own! But a couple befriended me, and it was such a laugh, with this mad Scotsman who kept saying “I’m gonnae slap-yer” (it was part of the tour). I guess you had to be there!!!