A MUM has spoken out about her struggles with anxiety and feelings of "isolation", which led her to create a new social setting.
Samantha Davis turns out to be just one of many people in Worcester who has struggled to make friends due to her anxiety and overcame her own self-doubt to create Worcester Wellness and Friendship.
The St Johns-based mum wanted to create a place for those with low self-esteem, anxiety and other mental health conditions to come along to monthly meet-ups and grow their friendship circle.
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She revealed that she felt isolated before setting up the group and struggled to make friends when she moved to the area.
Reflecting back on the effects of Covid, she said: "Circumstances at the time meant I was working at home, then I was being told I had lost my job over the phone.
"I need conversation, so to be at home with nothing, no job, I felt lost, like I had no purpose, and I was overthinking everything."
"I felt isolated.
"I thought there must be another way to meet new people.
"I traced Facebook, and I couldn't really find anything."
She added that when she was unsure about setting up the group due to her mental health.
"I am so unsure of myself to do that - if it did not work out it would affect my mental health."
The group, which has nearly reached its three-year anniversary, has now reached a staggering 900 members, with 15 on average attending the monthly meet-ups.
Miss Davis said: "There have been times I had to break down my tasks, like getting out of bed or having a shower, instead of thinking I am going to meet a group of friends.
"It's like climbing a mountain.
"You need steps to climb the mountain instead of being faced with a cliff.
"These are all things I have felt.
"I have had to put my big girl pants on before I turn up to our group.
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"Sometimes I even have to take a few minutes in my car before I go in."
In a bid to help more people feel comfortable entering the group, Miss Davis has met people one to one before their monthly session and had conversations with those who are anxious.
Worcester Wellness and Friendship meets on the third week of each month at The Berkeley Arms in St Johns.
People can join Worcester Wellness and Friendship through their Facebook group.
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