Pmdd awareness month
Spring is FINALLY HERE! *Collective sigh of relief*
More hours of daylight, daffodils and blossom everywhere, time to sow seeds in the garden, plan ahead… even the local miserable old dude in the park cracked a smile at my very goofy cockapoo the other day. Things are looking up, people!
Spring is such a universally hopeful time and by gosh, do we all need some hope right now! *She says, going on her second social media detox in as many months*.
April is also PMDD Awareness month; a time where The PMDD Project goes into overdrive trying to increase awareness in society as a whole, raise funds and work our cute little butts off… ok, my butt isn’t so small, but it IS cute!
Low down for April
Events:
Grounded event, Selly Oak, Birmingham – A whole day of PMDD Awareness workshops, open to the public and based at the wonderful Grounded; one of three wellbeing cafes in Birmingham that are part of The Living Well Consortium.Grounded, Selly Oak offers in house mental health referrals to free talking therapies aswell as free yoga, meditation, craft and LGBTQIA+ Meet ups (And fantastic coffee).
Throughout the day on 2nd April, we will be running three identical, one hour workshops for small groups via Eventbrite. There will be general awareness about PMDD, causes, treatments, advice on how to get a diagnosis, advocacy and sharing of lived experience. We will also be selling:
- Copies of Dr Milli Raizada‘s book – Happy hormones, Happy You. These books were kindly donated by the author to raise funds for The PMDD Project, as well as a special discount!
- Handmade greeting cards, made by …well, me.
- Our badges! 🙂
Workshop in Wales – In early April, our Founder Phoebe Williams will be running a workshop in Wales on PMDD awareness to a closed audience. She will also be selling Handmade cards to raise funds.
Online giveaway with prizes worth over £100! – During April, we will be hosting a HUGE give away on our instagram. With prizes generously donated by companies and organisations including Calm, Belle Health and Evelyn Health. There will also be some copies of Happy Hormones, Happy You by Dr Milli Raizada and some more greeting cards. We are SO GOOD TO YOU.
The PMDD Project turns one event
On the 26th April we will be celebrating our one year anniversary by having a gorgeous day of community, reflection and wellbeing in London.
Yoga, connection, wellbeing shots, birthday cake and goodie bags. We can’t wait! Book your tickets below!
Keele University – On 28th April, I will be running a day of PMDD awareness at Keele University (for students only); including a guest lecture followed by an interactive workshop.
Podcast – If you havent heard, where have you been? We launched our podcast The Monthly Truth recently and, ok, I am biased as I am on it but definitely give it a listen and join our fab community of listeners. Available on Spotify and Youtube.
Birmingham Women’s Hospital – This is a place so close to my heart. I have been going here for years for my own treatment for PMDD. So I am over the moon that not only are we now doing semi-regualar information tables on the main concourse of the hospital (near the cafe) but in April will be doing THE FIRST PMDD INFORMATION BOARD in the Gynaecology Outpatients department.
It had always felt wrong that there were boards for Menopause, Polycycstic Ovaries and Endometriosis, but not PMDD, especially as this is where so many women came to recieve treatment. The team at Birmingham Women’s Hospital have been so enthusiastic and welcoming, with special thanks and appreciation to Mark, Amanda, Katie, Lynette and Mr Khan.
Come along on April 14th. between 10am and 2pm to say hello!
Fundraising activities:
- The Brighton Marathon
- “Stina from MAFS” a.k.a Kristina Goodsell is doing the Brighton Marathon to raise funds for The PMDD Project! You can sponsor her via Justgiving. Thank you, Kristina!
PHEW!
It’s incredible going considering that we are a relatively new charity, the majority of us have PMDD, do this crucial work voluntarily (often in addition to working another job, studying, parenting, walking the dog and navigating the ever-dystopian reality we are currently living in. (See (or don’t): News. Any channel. Any publication. Any day).
Let’s hold on to the positives as tightly as we tightly as we can, as anyone with PMDD can testify:
Hope.is.everything.
With this in mind, here’s a few recommendations for the month ahead and some exciting updates!
Recommendations for April
Books:
The Sun and her flowers – Rupi Kaur
The Sun and her flowers – Rupi Kaur
Music: RAYE (ANYTHING BY RAYE)
Activities:
1. Create a playlist that’s filled with good memories
2. Listen to The Monthly Truth Podcast
3. Take a mindful walk
Whenever you feel yourself getting distracted by intrusive thoughts or feelings, try to refocus on the sounds, smells, textures and colours around you.
Look for and connect with all the signs of spring that you can find; blossom, new shoots & buds, leaves on the trees, the smell of magnolia, jasmine and cherry blossom.
4. Have a clear out: not very original, I know. But that feeling of having a clean, fresh space is unrivalled. Plus, why not donate some of your Vinted or car boot sale profits to The PMDD Project? Our donations page
5. Do something for the community. Whether it’s a litter pick, volunteering at a food bank or doing a bake sale for The PMDD Project, Emma Beddington of The Guardian recently penned an article on the subject of Dugnadsand, a Norwegian concept about the positive impact of community spirit, and how we all need it so very badly at the moment.
6. LIMING (Here is Trevor Noah explaining)
UPDATES
We are in the process of expanding our team! Are you looking for your next job opportunity or volunteer role? Get in touch today!
Opportunities
Fundraising Manager – Voluntary with view to expand to paid position. Part time. Remote.
Safeguarding officer – Voluntary with view to expand to paid position. Part time. Remote.
Community Outreach Manager – Voluntary with view to expand to paid position. Part time. Hybrid/Remote. Job share option available.
UK wide volunteers: We are ambitious, it’s true! As we book in more workshops, guest lectures and events, raise general public awareness and fundraise, we need YOUR help!
So whether you have experience in marketing, fundraising, policy making, workshop facilitation, just want to help us out at an event near you or create a community information board with our free resources… we have something that can work around you.
For more information, please contact:
or
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I’m going to have a nap now. Until next time,
Kim
xxx
