Image source, B Positive Bedford
- Author, Papa Alex
- Role, BBC News, Bedford
A free, non-judgemental weekly mental health support group is helping to “save lives,” its founder said.
B Positive Bedford, which was started in January by Fiore Sannio, 52, a licensed mental health professional, has about 20 people attending its weekly sessions.
She said she wanted people to know that “it’s okay to not be okay” and that “it’s about listening and helping in any way we can.”
One attendee said she used to be “desperate” but since joining, “I now have a purpose in my life.”
Mr. Sannio said he started the group as a way to “pay it forward.”
Meets every Thursday between 19:30 and 21:30 BST at St Andrew’s Church, Bedford.
“What makes us different [is] “It’s not a clinical setting. The group decides how it’s done,” he said.
“It’s a relaxed environment, you can talk openly, you can come for just five minutes. We’re a laid-back, relaxed group and there’s no pressure to come every week.”
Those helped by the group wished to remain anonymous, but were full of praise for it.
One said: “Since I came, I feel less anxious and supported,” while another said: “B Positive has made a real change in my life. I feel happier and more confident in my community.”
Another comment was: “I was desperate before I came to the group. Since I’ve been here, I now have a purpose in my life,” and someone else said: “I’ve been on antidepressants for a long time. I saw a poster for Bedford with the B positive sign at the GP’s surgery. Since coming to the group, I’ve stopped taking those pills and now my mental health is the best it’s ever been.”
Mr Sannio said he wanted to run the group, which he finances himself, for as long as possible and hoped to apply for grants so he could “do more”.
“When I created it, I thought that if I helped one person I would have achieved what I wanted to achieve,” he said.
“Hearing people tell me ‘This group saved my life’ is touching. It’s fantastic.
“Nobody asks stupid questions or has stupid ideas. It’s about listening and helping where we can.”
