The Vent Space

Sometimes you just need to say: "This is really bloody hard." to someone who understands.

 

The Vent Space is a private, one-to-one session for anyone who has a caring role and sometimes needs somewhere to put all the things that come with it.

 

You might be caring for a child, a partner, a parent, a friend or another family member. Your caring role might be hands-on, or you might spend your days organising appointments, managing medication, worrying, advocating, coordinating other people's care or simply being the person everyone turns to.

 

You don't have to justify whether you're "really" a carer.

And you don't have to arrive with something you want to change.

 

What happens in The Vent Space?

You talk, I'll listen.

You can rant, swear at the situation, cry, laugh about something ridiculous, talk through something that's been bothering you or simply tell me about the day you've had.

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You don't need to make it coherent.

You don't need to have worked out how you feel.

You don't need to make anyone else sound reasonable.

 

And you won't be judged for saying the things you probably wouldn't say to the person you're caring for.

 

I'm a coach, but this isn't a coaching session where you have to identify a goal and leave with an action plan.

If all you need today is someone who understands and listens, that's enough.

 

If, while we're talking, you realise there is something you'd like to explore or change, we can do that too. My coaching skills are there if you want them, but they aren't compulsory.

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What might you get from a session like this?

There isn't a prescribed outcome.

Perhaps you'll simply feel better for having said it out loud.

Perhaps you'll feel heard and understood.

Perhaps you'll finally say the thing you've been holding in because you didn't want to burden anyone else.

Perhaps talking will help you untangle what is actually bothering you.

Perhaps you'll realise you need a break.

Perhaps you'll discover that there is something you can change.

Or perhaps you'll finish the session thinking: "That was exactly what I needed today."

That's enough.

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Why might you need this?

Because caring can take up an enormous amount of emotional space.

You can love someone deeply and still be exhausted by caring for them.

You can be grateful for the support you have and still wish someone else would take over for a while.

You can know that someone isn't deliberately making your life difficult and still be incredibly frustrated with them.

You can understand the situation perfectly and still think: "I cannot deal with one more thing today."

And sometimes the people closest to you aren't the people you can say that to.

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You might not want to burden your partner.

Your friends might not really understand.

Family can be part of the problem.

 

You might not want to post it in a support group where other people's experiences leave you feeling like you're coping badly.

 

Or you might simply want to talk to someone who understands caring without having to spend the first twenty minutes explaining why this apparently small thing has completely tipped you over.

You don't have to explain.

 

What The Vent Space isn't

The Vent Space isn't therapy or counselling.

It isn't a mental health treatment service.

It isn't medical advice or a replacement for your GP, specialist team or other professional support.

It isn't crisis support.

And it isn't a place where I'll tell you what you should be doing.

 

I'm there as a supportive, non-judgemental coach who understands the reality of caring and knows when something needs more specialist support.

 

If something comes up during our conversation that is beyond the boundaries of coaching or listening support, I'll be honest about that and help you consider what other support might be appropriate.

 

A safe space to say the unsayable

You don't have to be positive, grateful or coping well.

You don't have to make the situation sound better than it is.

And you don't have to want to change it.

Bring the rant.

I'll bring the listening.

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The Vent Space

50-minute private one-to-one session - £50

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Book a session when you need one. No programme. No commitment to continue.

Sometimes you just need somewhere to put it down for a while.