Freddi Greenmantle - Quiet Words from a Loud Mouth.

I am a 72 yr old, female, single parent, retired primary schoolteacher of more than thirty yrs experience. I have also taught abroad, (Caribbean island) and I still tutor ESOL. I am passionately committed to improving older people’s lives, having lived in a “sheltered/independent living” Housing Ass. retirement property for 13 years since becoming disabled through an accident in 2006. I have been working  for 13 yrs in the local community as a local Whalley Range  forum member, and secretary to the Age Friendly group. I also sit on the Age Friendly MCC Board , and the GMOPN mainly working with GMOPMHN (Greater Manchester older people’s mental health network) now called GMMMM (Greater Manchester Mature Minds Matter.) Where I am now the vice chair., and also part of a committee helping to design a new LGBGT property being built in Whalley Range. I am also part of GM’s support services for older people called Living Well. I am a singer (performing with 2 choirs) crafter, artist, performing poet  and writer. I practice mindfulness and meditation, attend regular well-being groups, and am spiritual not religious. I believe strongly in talking therapies as a way to mental and spiritual health, though I know that for some people drug therapy is necessary too. My service user/patient experience comes from being bullied at work, developing an auto-immune incurable and fatal rare skin disease, dealing with a difficult teenager, and then an accident causing disability , 2000 to 2006.  I was off work for 1 yr, labelled incorrectly  bipolar by a psychiatrist, and prescribed citalopram. (anti-depressant/sedative) I received no therapy or counselling for 23 yrs. I removed myself from the drug in 2023, and started private therapy IFS (Internal Family System.)  I am passionate about MH support for all Mancunians , but particularly the older members of this great city,      .                                                                                                                                      FG